Northampton Chronicle & Echo Morning Update Monday 24 November, 2025
Kevin Nolan labelled the performance of referee Neil Hair as ‘very poor’ and cited ‘two massive incidents’ after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Cardiff City.
The first moment that enraged Nolan came shortly after Cardiff’s eighth-minute opener. Ethan Wheatley was clearly held by Bluebirds defender Will Fish but shrugged off the challenge and drove dangerously into the penalty box, only for Hair to fail to play advantage and bring play back. Fish was booked but, in the second half, a high and reckless – at least in Nolan’s eyes – challenge by Ronan Kpakio on Jordan Thorniley went unpunished.
"I never like talking about referees but I thought he was very poor today and there were two massive incidents,” said Nolan. “In the first half, Ethan Wheatley gets away from their lad after being pulled back and he’s through one-on-one and he could go and score but the referee decided to blow up and pull it back.
"In the second half, Cardiff’s right winger has come right across Jordan Thorniley in the middle of the park, his studs are high and he’s caught him on the shin. You can’t miss those moments as a referee because it’s a poor challenge.
Kevin Nolan talks to fourth official George Laflin during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Cardiff City at Sixfields on November 22, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)placeholder image
Kevin Nolan talks to fourth official George Laflin during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Cardiff City at Sixfields on November 22, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
"But I’m not going to go on about that because I’m proud of my lads and the way they played today.”
Nolan’s main gripe was with his own side though and in particular their wasteful finishing. A number of chances went begging, the best of which fell to Elliott List late on when he was denied by Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott.
"Listy's chance is a massive moment,” Nolan added. “If we go 2-2 at that moment who knows what happens. You could see from how they (Cardiff's coaching staff) were on the touchline that we caused them problems and I'm pleased about that. We were excellent without the ball and we pressed really well and caught them out a few times. We just weren’t able to execute in front of goal.”
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