Declan Caddell’s VAR belief as Crusaders chief left to question ‘big calls’ in opening day defeat

Crusaders fall to opening day defeat despite racing into a three-goal lead against Carrick Rangers

Declan Caddell was left to question some “big calls” as his Crusaders side suffered an opening day defeat to Carrick Rangers after letting a three-goal lead slip.

The Crues were rampant in the opening half hour as new boys Fraser Bryden, Adam Brooks and Finley Thorndike seemingly put them in control.

But a Jack Scott penalty after Aidan Steele was taken down by Elliot Dunlop, and two Danny Gibson goals either side of the break drew the visitors level at Seaview.

And right at the death Scott converted another spot kick to win the game after Robbie Weir was adjudged to have handled a cross in the box.

While Caddell took some responsibility for his team’s collapse he felt the decisions from referee Mark Dillon played a big part in the outcome.

“The first 35 minutes we dominated, scored three goals and could have had five or six, but a big call and a big decision has allowed Carrick to get back into the game,” the Crusaders boss told BBC Sport NI.

“You try to calm down over the summer, forget about things and look forward to a new campaign, but at 3-0 up we are cruising. A big call, which I think he got wrong, changed that game and from that we lost our way.

“I can take a bit of responsibility for that in the second half, as to how the players performed. I don’t think they were at it, but big calls change games.

“Even the last penalty, I’m not sure again, so it’s two huge calls from the referee that has given Carrick Rangers three points today.”

Despite his frustration Caddell does not feel VAR needs to be introduced in the Irish League to help officials.

“You don’t have to go VAR, they are basic decisions,” Caddell said. “On the sideline, I look for the reaction of my players and the opposition players.

“The first one: the linesman is four yards away has given a throw-in to us, which was the right call, but the referee overrules him.

“The second one the referee says handball. It has hit his hand, but he hasn’t made himself bigger, so they are huge calls.

“We lost our way and that can happen when calls go against you. It’s frustrating, but we have to move on.”