Martin frustrated to miss out on his first Hatters hat-trick

Livewire winger David Martin did his best to hide his disappointment on missing out on his first Hatters hat-trick in Tuesday night’s 3-0 demolition of Lincoln City, writes Mark Wood.
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LTFC v Lincoln City.
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LTFC v Lincoln City.
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L13-420 9/4/13 MBLN LTFC v Lincoln City. wk 15 MS JX

The former Southend man had the ball in the back of the net four times, but two were chalked off due to some mystifying decisions from the officials.

He said: “I’m obviously frustrated putting it in the net four times tonight, but it’s happened, it’s gone, and I’m happy to get my two goals, just bring on Friday night now.”

His first strike from Andre Gray’s astute cross was dubiously disallowed for offside, as Martin continued: “I don’t think I was, no.

“I will watch it back later on in the week. Obviously nothing can be done now but for me it is frustrating, I could have had a hat-trick tonight, but never mind, it’s gone now and I’ve got my two goals, we’ve got a result tonight and that’s the main thing.”

Martin’s second ‘goal’ was ruled out in even more baffling circumstances late on as team-mate Alex Lawless and Andrew Boyce clashed off the ball in the area.

And just before he crashed home Gray’s cross referee Rob Whitton whistled to book both players before ridiculously restarting with an uncontested drop-ball.

Martin said: “I did speak to the ref, he said he could have let it play through which he should have done really, he should have let the game develop and he could have booked them after, but never mind, like I say it’s football, it’s happened and you have to get on with the next one.”

Lawless was sympathetic that Martin had missed out on his treble and explained what happened, saying: “Their player had a little bit of a dig at me, which didn’t go down very well with me.

“And he he continued to quite go with it to be honest with you and I wasn’t going to back down either.

“I didn’t start it, and I didn’t particularly finish it either, and then he’s disallowed a goal for us, so it was just really, really frustrating.

“And then to come away with a yellow card and a bloody mouth and you think what’s kind of going on here...

Dave Martin’s had a word with me as well and if I’m honest he’s not best pleased, obviously joking, well part of him...

“Them type of things they happen often and you don’t know what way they’re going to go.

“I’m just glad it didn’t get seen in a bad way for me, because I don’t want to be missing any more games.

“I didn’t even see that (it started with a drop-ball), so that’s quite frustrating to hear that now because I didn’t even realise that because I think I was just trying to compose myself at the time.

“I don’t really know what to say to that, it just kind of fits in with everything else about the situation to be honest with you.”

And Lawless is hoping to help him score again, saying: “He can get another goal next game now, if I can set him up or something. Although I don’t think it’s my fault, blame the referee!”

Martin’s first goal to count will stand out as he rifled in an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area, while his second saw him link again with Gray.

He said: “Scotty Griffiths I’ve called him on the edge and set myself and just let a nice shot go and luckily it’s gone in.

“The second one Andre’s found me again, he found me the first one but it was offside, debatable, but the second one again it’s a great ball in, the pace is on the ball and I’ve just guided it in.”

But he reckons he has had better goals than his first, saying “I’ve had a couple I think, I ain’t bragging! It was good for it to go in.”

Lawless though felt that in many ways his second goal was a better strike, saying: “Dave’s capable of that and he’ll be disappointed and I’m gutted for him that he didn’t get that hat-trick because he’s a good finisher.

“Obviously the first goal, that will stand out to people, but I think from a footballer’s point of view, them ones that come in across the box, coming in at you you’ve got a bit of time to think about it and I thought he took the second one very well.

“The first one was a very good goal, but I thought the second one from a footballer’s point of view was a good finish.”

Boss John Still was disappointed for Martin that his late strike was ruled out, but has been happy with his contribution since taking over.

He added: “The referee stopped play too early, we were on the move, why stop it? He stopped it and we scored and it’s disappointing.

“Dave’s been good since I’ve been here to be honest. I think Dave’s performances have been good, I’ve got no complaints with him individually.

“I think he’s performed well in most of the games and he was certainly a threat tonight.”