Arter: Fair play to the ref

AFC Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter praised referee Phil Gibbs for getting the game finished on Saturday afternoon.

Arter had given the Cherries a half time lead in Saturday's game at Dean Court, but the interval had to be extended by around five minutes while ground staff worked on the pitch with a roller and various garden forks.

With the Cherries leading and Swindon struggling, the away side appeared to be putting pressure on the officials to abandon the game.

The conditions were tricky in certain areas, but the pitch was perfectly playable and the game continued.

Despite the conditions probably favouring the away side and working in their benefit for the equaliser, Arter believes it was the right decision.

Arter told the Daily Echo...

"It was disappointing to only get a point. We were the better team in the first half and I thought the conditions played a massive part in the second. They suited them a lot more than they did us. They came here to have a battle and the pitch and conditions definitely helped them.

"We tried to get the ball down and play but it was difficult to do that in the second half. If the conditions had been better, I am sure we would have got the three points. The rain slowed down the ball and it was difficult to get into a rhythm...'

'...There were times when I thought the referee was going to call it off. Their players, especially at 1-0 down, were trying to get in his ear. They wanted it off because they were losing. There were puddles on the pitch and it was difficult to play. But, fair play to the ref, he stayed strong and we got the game finished."

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