Oldham Athletic manager Micky Mellon has criticised referee James Durkin after the club successfully appealed Gus Scott-Morriss's red card. The defender is now available for selection against Swindon Town this weekend following the Football Association panel's decision to overturn the dismissal.
Mellon's frustration was clear in comments reported by the Oldham Times this week. He described the decision to send off Scott-Morriss during last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Colchester United as looking "inexperienced". The manager stated an experienced official would have been more considered. "It came out like a pop-up toaster, far too quickly, and we paid the penalty for it," Mellon said.
Why did Oldham Athletic appeal the red card?
The club launched an appeal against the decision after initially hesitating due to cost concerns. Mellon revealed the board, including Darren Royle, encouraged the challenge. Head of media Alan Jones and club secretary Mark Sheridan compiled video evidence and a statement for the FA panel. Their work proved successful, clearing Scott-Morriss of any suspension. The overturned card is a rare positive from a match where Oldham led 1-0 at half-time before collapsing with ten men. Mellon pointed to the six yellow cards also shown in the game. "I don't remember a single bad tackle in the game. Where do you get all those bookings from," he questioned.
How did the red card change the match?
The sending off forced immediate tactical changes from Mellon. He had to make substitutions earlier than planned to adjust to being a man down. This disruption contributed directly to Colchester overturning the deficit to win the match. Mellon believes the quick decision altered the entire complexion of the second half. It affected the team's weekend and their early season momentum. Oldham currently sit 12th in League Two with three points from two games, having scored three goals and conceded two. They are three points behind early leaders Barnet. You can track their progress on our standings page.
What has Micky Mellon said about referee standards?
The Oldham boss has called for officials to take more responsibility and time with major decisions. He expressed frustration that referees do not typically explain or apologise for errors after matches. Mellon spoke to Mike Jones, who is in charge of referees, following the incident. Jones indicated the match official, James Durkin, would work with a coach to improve. Mellon wants referees to read the game better and avoid rash judgments that can decide matches. His comments highlight a wider concern about consistency in League Two officiating this season.
What does this mean for Oldham's next fixtures?
With Scott-Morriss available, Oldham's defensive options are restored for the 3pm kick-off against Swindon Town. The team will look to bounce back from the Colchester defeat and improve their recent form, which reads loss-win. Their next home game is a significant fixture against Crawley Town on October 31st. Crawley currently occupy 15th place in the table. Securing points in these upcoming matches is important for building a platform before the autumn schedule intensifies. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. Mellon will hope for calmer officiating as his side aims to climb from mid-table.
