Northampton’s League One clash with Stevenage set up a farcical stoppage time of 22 minutes
- New stoppage time rules are wreaking havoc on supporters going to the match
- Northampton’s weekend clash with Stevenage saw 22 minutes of stoppage time
- The new rules introduced to stop wasting time turned the match into a farce
When planning my route to and from Northampton for Stevenage’s opening game on Saturday amid several train strikes, I had no intention of leaving Sixfields at 5:25pm.
Usually, such a late departure from an away ground would be reserved for special celebrations following a historic win – and while Carl Piergianni’s late winner was memorable – our game was in fact the first casualty of the new umpire guidelines.
We were treated to 22 minutes of stoppage time – eight in the first half and 14 in the second – despite no apparent time wasting or injury interruptions, with just seven substitutions between the teams in five intervals in the second half, plus one at half-time. time.
It was a farce. When the Boro faithful left the end, it was now a race to the station, with a train already missed.
What will it be like for night games when fans have to weigh whether to miss the last train home or see the closing stages of games? Meanwhile, players could face nearly 120 minutes of action, which will undoubtedly lead to more injuries.
Northampton manager Jon Brady watched as a total of 22 minutes of stoppage time were added in both halves
Supporters at Northampton’s Sixfields stadium did not leave until 5.25pm on Saturday
If we had conceded after 100 minutes it would have felt very unfair and I wonder how much longer will be added with serious injuries.
Our winner in the 80th minute would normally be classed as late, but I’m not sure you can say that when 24 minutes of action took place after Piergianni sent the traveling fans into delirium with a sloppy effort.