The Tim Hortons Pinnacles lost 4-1 at home to the Victoria Highlanders FC on Saturday.
Pinnacles coach Paulo Araujo was bothered by the officiating in the Pacific Coast Soccer League Premier Men’s Division league match.
“I’ve always been a person that’s never complained about the refereeing,” he said. “The refereeing in this game in my opinion was horrible … just not there for this level.”
PCSL president Dave Collard said the league doesn’t make official comments about game officials. He did say that chief referee Doug Summers is looking into what happened. Summers reviews all game reports handed in by officials.
The game shifted against the Pinnacles near the 10-minute mark when one of their players was pushed from behind. That allowed the Victoria Highlanders FC player to take the ball and beat keeper Travis Froehlich. Araujo felt a foul should have been called.
Five minutes after that, the visiting team was given a penalty shot — a play Araujo felt was not deserved. Froehlich made the save then the referee made a decision for it to be retaken.
“Before we know it, two bad calls and we’re down 2-0,” said Araujo. “It really put us behind the eight ball.”
Against a strong club comprised of university players, Araujo said his team did well. Trailing 3-0, the Pinnacles opened things up with their only goal caming on a nice cross-pass from Bjorn Borren to James Fraser who scored on a header.
The Pinnacles had another chance to make it 3-2, however Fraser’s chip shot over the keeper missed the net.
“Overall I think we’re competitive,” said Araujo, whose team travels to the Lower Mainland to play Khalsa Sporting Club (seven wins, five losses and two ties) at Queen’s Park East to end the season.
The Pinnacles now have three wins to go with nine losses and one draw.