The goal that was, then was not and then was again. Confused? So was Southern Storm coach Mark Stafford.
The experienced Australian coach was left bewildered and angry following Hockey New Zealand's decision to reverse its earlier decision to disallow a goal.
Central scored a goal from a short corner after the final hooter had sounded to clinch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Southern in Palmerston North on Saturday.
But Stafford successfully argued the goal should be disallowed because the rules state if the ball leaves the circle for a second time after the final hooter the game is over.
The judicial committee agreed and reversed the umpire's decision to award the goal. Unhappy with that decision, Central protested and the jury of appeal reversed the judicial committee's decision.
In a statement, New Zealand Hockey said the judicial committee contravened rule 46 which states that it does not have the power to change an umpire's decision.
Southern's appeal was disputing an umpire's decision not a technical error, therefore the goal had to be reinstated.
"I reckon it is wrong on heaps of levels," Stafford responded when asked for comment.
"Personally, I think it comes down to interpretation. My interpretation of the rule is the game is over at point X, Y or Z. One of those things is the game is over if the ball leaves the circle for a second time.
"I can't see anything in the rule book which says the umpire has to blow a whistle to say the game is over.
"Everyone at the venue except for two umpires had somehow seen it go out of the circle. The umpires did not know the rule and at national level would be considered very poor.
"In saying that, umpires do make mistakes and I don't have an issue with the umpiring. I've got an issue with Central for appealing when they knew the ball had come out. I think that is very poor form."
Stafford said there was no avenue left for Southern to appeal and it just had to accept the result and move on.
"We've exhausted a fair bit of energy worrying about this instead of what we should be doing."
Southern's next assignment is against Canterbury in Auckland on Saturday, and the team is focused on that fixture.
"These guys are good, they are resilient and they will get over it. But at the moment they are feeling pretty ticked off."
