POPPIES boss James Wood has backed the referee's decision not to award a penalty against Lamin Dibba.

But the Victoria Park chief has stressed he "sympathises" about Taffy Richardson's thoughts that players should be able to talk to refs.

Wood said: "I think Taffy is being a bit harsh on the ref (who took over the match after the original ref was injured). I don't think he did too badly.

"However, I definitely sympathise with Taffy that as a player he can't speak to the ref any more.

"I wasn't entirely happy with Paul running the line. But because I know him well personally after being at Poole Town for five years, and that he is as honest as day, I had no problem with him doing it.

"We're quite a way behind in games and there is no way I wanted the game called off.

"With regard to the penalty claim, Lamin was targeted by Poole all game because of his ability in the air.

"They were trying to take him out of the way, which is fair enough because he is so dominant in the air in both boxes.

"I think what Taffy is referring to on the penalty is there was a melee in the box.

"But Lamin doesn't need to purposely handle the ball, he is so tall anyway.

"I go along with the ref. It was an accident. I would have been upset if it had been a penalty, although I have seen them given.

"If it had been another club where I didn't know the person brought in to run the line personally, I might have protested about the game carrying on once the original ref had been injured."