THE brandishing of just a yellow card to Richmond Town goalkeeper Karl Latcham played a big part in Prudhoe Town‘s elimination from the Wearside League Cup.

After Arron Fletcher had burst forward and rounded the shot stopper, he was hauled down outside the box by Latcham to prevent him from rolling the ball into the empty net.

The decision to dish out just a yellow instead of a red incensed the Prudhoe players, particularly as he went on to pull off a great save from the resultant free kick from Derek Waters and then another top drawer stop to deny Mick Rankin when clear on goal.

Defender Kieran Russel was subsequently booked for remonstrating with referee Matthew Gatiss, and his marching orders were to follow 20 minutes from time for a second bookable offence to end Prudhoe’s hopes of getting back into the tie.

The pitch at Richmond was barely playable was given the nod after a late inspection once Prudhoe had arrived, and it was the visitors who asked all of the questions in the opening half.

They took the lead on 25 minutes through a great move which started from left back and was quickly switched to the other side of the field, right back Nikki Shepherd putting in a great cross for Fletcher to head home.

Prudhoe‘s 16-year-old goalkeeper Shaun Green didn‘t have a save to make in the opening period, but Richmond started well after the break.

Yet it was Prudhoe who felt they should have been celebrating the opening goal of the half, Fletcher chopped down by Latcham only for Mr Gatiss to decree the striker was running away from goal.

Richmond capitalised on Prudhoe’s frustrations and ran in three goals to book their place in the next round of the cup, Russel‘s dismissal adding insult to injury.