Bradford Goalkeeper confuses rugby pitch markings for own penalty area in 1-1 draw vs Newport County

Harry Lewis conceded a freak error in Bradford’s 1-1 draw to Newport County on Saturday after he caught the ball several meters outside of his own penalty area. 

It was a moment to forget for the 25-year-old, who appeared to mistake faded rugby markings that were still visible on the pitch with his own 18-yard-line. 

The shot-stopper, who joined the Bantams on a free transfer from Southampton last summer, was not awarded a red card for handling the ball outside his area. 

That was much to the dissatisfaction of Newport’s players though, with the referee seeing some sympathy to the goalkeepers lapse of concentration, with some fans feeling that his moment of madness was not preventing a goal scoring opportunity.

With long ball coming over the top of his defence, and a Newport attacker approaching, the goalkeeper had to react, but seemed to mistake a faded 22-yard line with his own penalty area, opting to catch the ball and throw it out wide to another Bradford defender.  

Harry Lewis had a moment to forget during Bradford’s 1-1 draw to Newport on Saturday 

Newport, who play at Rodney Parade, share their ground with local rugby teams Dragons and Newport RFC and a 22-yard line was still present on the field. 

And as we saw with fellow shot-stopper Nick Pope, who handled the ball outside of the box in Newcastle’s recent loss to Liverpool, the offence tends to carry the sanction of a red card. 

But in this circumstance, Lewis was only awarded a yellow card, with Newport’s official Twitter account in uproar at the decision, writing: ‘Absolutely unbelievable.

‘Bradford keeper Harry Lewis catches a long ball miles out of his goal and only gets a yellow for it.’

The away side would infuriate their hosts even more soon after, with Andy Cook slotting his 23rd goal of the season to give Braford the lead going into half time. 

The result means Newport have stalled Bradford’s hopes of achieving a promotion berth 

Newport hit back in the second half, with Liam Ridehalgh tapping in over Harry Lewis, to halve the points and stall the Bantam’s bid of obtaining an automatic promotion berth. 

Fans joined the Newport Twitter account expressing their distaste at the decision, with one claiming: ‘That’s literally the worst decision I’ve ever seen a ref give in a game live.’ 

Another disagreed with the Tweet saying: ‘Not unbelievable at all. Only a red card if it denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity.’ 

For Newport, the result means they stay 18th in League Two, having not won in their last four league appearances.