Referee Gavin Ward found himself in hot water from both sides on Saturday as Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town clashed at Kenilworth Road.

The frustration was palpable among Sheffield Wednesday supporters after a crucial decision by Ward drastically affected the outcome of the match. Leading 1-0 courtesy of Barry Bannan’s goal, the Owls suffered a setback when Di’Shon Bernard was controversially sent off and Luton was awarded a penalty for a handball offense. Despite replays showing Bernard used his shoulder, Luton’s Carlton Morris converted the penalty and later secured a late winner, leaving Wednesday fans seething as they departed the stadium.

Ward’s performance did not escape criticism from Luton manager Edwards either, who jokingly mentioned that he narrowly avoided being sent off himself due to his frustration with the referee’s decisions. The first half calls, including the yellow card shown to Luton’s goalkeeping coach, added to the overall discontent with Ward’s officiating during the match.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl echoed the sentiments of disappointment, particularly focusing on the contentious penalty call and subsequent red card. In a post-game interview, he highlighted the missed opportunities for his team to score, along with his frustration over inconsistent decisions affecting the outcome of the game.

Rohl emphasized the importance of letting the players on the pitch dictate the match’s outcome and lamented the interference of external factors in deciding the result. Despite the challenges faced, Rohl expressed pride in his team’s efforts and acknowledged the support of the fans in recognizing their commitment on the field.