DARREN Gilbert believes Liskeard Athletic’s indiscipline was the main cause of a shock 4-1 defeat in the SWPL Walter C Parson Cup final at Launceston.
The Blues had Harry Jeffery and joint manager Martin Hodge sent off, saw Jack Podmore and Jarrad Woods sin binned and suffered several other yellow cards in Saturday’s showpiece against Okehampton Argyle.
And Gilbert said: “I told the players afterwards that they had let themselves, the club and the supporters down.
“Our discipline was very poor and we folded as a group. I never saw that coming.
“The players lost their heads. At 1-0 down at half-time we were still well in it but then to hear that Pods (Jack Podmore) had been sin binned was a massive setback.
“We started the second half with 10 men, we conceded a second in the 10 minutes Pods was off, and then it’s an uphill battle.
“The players must take that hurt now and they have all summer to reflect on what they did and hopefully return next season the wiser for it. I’m not picking out individuals, it was a group thing but it’s gone now. It’s how the players respond to it.”
Gilbert felt referee Bailey Walker contributed in a big way to the debacle, saying: “I thought the game was too big for him.
“He lost his head and to send off a 17-year-old boy (Harry Jeffery) for a second yellow when Harry has jumped over their player to try to avoid a collision, is ridiculous.”
On the penalty which set Okehampton on their way to victory, Gilbert said: “The ref didn’t see the incident, the lino has given it. I thought linesmen weren’t supposed to make penalty decisions.
“That’s what we’ve been told all season, so why is it suddenly ok for the linesman to give a penalty in a big cup final?”
Gilbert confirmed that his joint manager Martin Hodge and assistant manager Martin Chrimes had now left the club as he contemplates his own future.
He said: “I’m reviewing things over the next few days and will let the club know when I have made my decision.”