Daylight robbery

I had the pleasure of officiating one of the most one-sided games today where the winners ended up being the side outplayed for over 90 minutes! Shirebrook Rovers had been narrowly beaten to the title the previous week and were playing their final match of the season against Mason's Arms.

Rovers dominated the match, to the point where throughout both halves a rarely had to cross the half way line. Masons were barely in the game and couldn't get the ball forward on the few occasions they had possession. It wasn't even like they defended particularly well, in the first half alone, both Rovers strikers were sent 1 on 1 with the keeper 5 or 6 times but wasted great opportunities.

I denied a penalty after about 35 minutes as the keeper went around the side of a Shirebrook player in possession, getting a full foot to the ball and knocking it out for a throw in but the player took a big hit off the keeper and in hindside probably should have been given the penalty.

There were 3 further shouts in the second half though all 3 were easy to wave away and it looked as though the game would end 0-0. However, in the 92nd minute, a trip about 25 yards outside the Rovers box saw a free kick hit over the wall and towards the keeper who looked comfortable on it but the ball spun out of his hands and over his head, into the goal for a very surprising Masons win.

I enjoyed the game, in the heat on a Sunday Spring morning but again there was a lot I could have done better today. First of all the pitch inspection wasn't really done, I had a gentle jog around the edge before kick off and my attention was gained when Masons Arms were warming up to 2 deep divots in the ground on the edge of the 18 yard box. I got these filled in but then 3 minutes into the game I had to stop plkay as there were a further 2 or 3 within the area that were very dangerous and needed filling in.

I could have been in a better position for the first penalty shout as I was about 20 yards away on the edge of the 18 yard box and the offence took place right on the goal line. I was already looking through a few players and this didnt help when the challenge was made. I saw the tackle and saw that the keeper had made a full clean connection on the ball but wasn't in the best of position to see if this had been done fairly.

I was quite quiet today but didn't really need to be particularly vocal.There were next to no bad challenges barr the possible one just mentioned, I didn't have to even speak to any player never mind issue a caution. I just feel like the end of the season though couldnt come quick enough so I can have a rest and come back next season a little more refreshed and ready to go again.

Protocol

Had one game today, up at the Highfields Complex in Nottingham, near the University. It was in the MAA and was between EMTEC and Sherwood Colliery. The sun was out for what felt like the first time pretty much all season and so I looked forward to a good game. I told myself to concentrate, be confident and enjoy it and it should go well.

Early on I had good banter with a few of the players. First off the home captain who was upset having learned the Man United score - they were 2-0 down and had come back to win 4-2.I told him I shared his pain! Shortly after this, I was told my all-black kit was clashing with the dark blue / black of the visitors and they were struggling to distinguish me with the players. I just said well I'm the one that looks disinterested, runs away from the ball and has a really poor touch! They enjoyed that and I heard no more about my strip.

The game was going ok, the first half was fairly easy, just one penalty shout that I had to turn down. The forward and goalkeeper met each quickly side on chasing a loose ball and both went down. I wasn't convinced that the forward had to go down nor that the keeper had done anything you don't expect a defender to do, it wasn't a clear push nor a barge, it was shoulder to shoulder to I waved it on.

In the second half, a couple of incidents could have been controlled better on my part. Firstly, a boot came off the away defender just after his goalkeeper had collected the ball and so I asked the keeper not to release it until his player had replaced it. He acknowledged me but then dropped the ball at his feet. After his player had replaced his shoe I waved play on and the keeper then picked the ball up, which caused a slight protest from a couple of the home players. It is an offence to pick it up after having had it under control before initially releasing it, but I waved it on anyway. Whilst it would have been harsh to give a free kick against him for doing this, it would have looked more convincing or professional to have awarded a free kick against him but asked the opposition to give it back to him.

Following this, towards the end of the game, the home striker and away keeper were in a race for the ball at the edge of the area. Arriving very close together, a fair challenge saw the ball spill loose to the edge of the box to a second home striker, but as he was receiving the ball, an away defender's boot caught his keeper on the side of the head, casuing him to go down holding it. I saw this and immediately blew for a head injury. However, as I blew, the home striker slotted the ball between two defenders in the area and into the empty goal. Because I had already blown the goal could not stand but I was now met with a bunch of frustrated home players. The captain helped me clear them away but was keen to protest the goal anyway. However, I made it clear from my position that I had done the right thing. Despite a couple of minutes of protests, they accepted the decision and the game could go on. I restarted with a drop ball to the keeper, when in actual fact, I probably should have in some way returned the ball to the opposite team having just disallowed their goal.

The game ended 1-1 and both teams had no complaints at the end and thanked me for it so that was a plus as there were a good few moans throughout. No moans either from the management so I guess a pleasing game. Hopefully tomorrows will be just as pleasing.

PROMOTION!

I arrived home from work this evening to find a letter which when I opened it was from Nottinghamshire FA. I read it and quickly learned that it was regarding my promotion from Level 7 to Level 6!

I was really pleased with this, my first step up at this level. I didn't publicise it though as to most experienced referee's, the step up from Level 7 to 6 is perhaps not the most challenging one, to the point where if you apply for it, you're more than likely going to get it. I could be wrong though but I was still pleased to progress.

Me and Milly went to the Half Moon for a celebratory meal, which I hope will become a tradition! Now for Level 5!

Stand up tall!

My CML appointment this week came late as I replaced another official a week or two prior to this game. I was told to leave my Church Warsop scarf at home! - a play on the fact that I'm from the next village, when typically you travel some distance for games, albeit this one was in Dronfield anyway, some 20 miles away.

I was to be junior official to Neil Howard, with Peter Bailey on the opposite line. I'd not met Peter before but had seen Neil 3 or 4 times at The Swan on a Saturday afternoon so it was good to put a name to a face.

This one got off to an interesting start as a number of Church Warsop players travelling together had an accident and so couldn't make it to the ground, leaving CWFC with just 8 available players. They came to see what they could do and were informed that they had to play as the minimum to start with was 8. They tried to make an emergency signing to get the manager available but the deadline had passed, though they found out that the assistant was registered so that gave them 9. They also managed to contact an U18 player who lived close by who set off and arrived after 30 minutes.

That left Dronfield with half an hour with a 2 man advantage, over a team that were already 3 places off the bottom, whilst the home side are fighting for the title. Still, despite much Dronfield pressure, they couldn't find a way through. They had few shots at goal and were made to work hard against the 9 men camped in their own box. The story was the same when the CWFC 10th man arrived and joined his teammates on the pitch.

The possession stats must've been high in Dronfield's favour yet they were hardly troubling the away goalkeeper. As the minutes ticked by, Dronfield were left frustrated as they just couldn't find their way past to get any clear shots on target and could even have lost it towards the end as the lone Church Warsop striker had a few chances running at the last defender but was only able to try from distance, never coming close.

Eventually the whistle sounded for a very surprising 0-0 result, which I later read was the first time I had officiated in a game that had ended 0-0 in all of my 156 matches to date.

I had relatively little to do in both halves, even though most of the action in the second half was in front of me. I made sure I signalled correctly and was always in line with the second last defender etc. I received a good piece of advice at half time when the referee's missus, who was also a referee and an assessor said for me to stand up tall when looking along the line as I have a tendancy to lean forward to look closer at any action that looks like it may be close - offside, fouls etc.

These words rang in my ears in the second half and it registered with me how often in a game I do lean forward and so each time I did I stood up straight and I'm sure that from now on I will take notice of these words which will surely help me in my quest to take my refereeing further.

Ouch!

To start the day off today I had 2 games at Bothamsall, as Walesby Juniors U12 played FC '05 Bilsthorpe, before Walesby's U14 side played Glapwell FC, who I used to know as Skegby Colts when I was a manager in this age group. I was also originally down to do the Walesby U16 game against Lowdham Colts too but there's only so much I can do before heading off for my senior game! I was surprised actually to find myself down for 3 11-aside games this weekend, but released the third game quite early on.

The FC 05 side was the same that I had done last week in the Notts Shield semi final so as that competition usually ends with teams of a high standard, felt that they would probably go on to win quite convincingly. As it were, they were 1-0 down after 28 seconds! Having seen this Walesby side a couple of times this year, they're quite reliant on a quick, talented striker and it was him causing the problems again.

The lead didn't last long though as 2 minutes later Bilsthorpe equalised, and went ahead about 15 minutes after this. Walesby replied shortly before half time to make it 2-2 at the break.

On a personal note, I was struggling this weekend as I knocked my knee playing football last weekend and it hadn't recovered at all over the last 5 or 6 days and was causing me a lot of pain as I ran. I decided not to put myself through it too much, as I was concerned for my afternoon game so felt I could do these 2 games with very little running. I could see most of the action from around the centre of the pitch, especially at these age groups and so I didn't need to be on top of play all the time.

I controlled the game quite well from a slightly central position and was glad when I could blow for full time for this first game. It ended 4-3 to Bilsthorpe in a result which looked as though it had surprised most as it appeared that they had expected a much easier game but Walesby had made them work really hard for all 3 points.

The second game was a little more one sided as Walesby had only brought 9 players and were facing top of the league Glapwell. They defended well to start with and had kept it at 0-0 for about 12 minutes before Glapwell eventually took the lead. They controlled the game from then on and were 6-0 up at half time. They then continued this performance into the second half, coming out 10-0 victors at the end, a little harsh on the home side who had worked hard.

I was ready to finish by the time this game had ended as my knee was really causing me a lot of grief and I was quite concerned that I would not be able to do my afternoon fixture in Dronfield. I did though learn that I am just as capable of refereeing youth games at a distance and don't always need to be on top of play, though this is a habit I don't want to fall out of, especially in my more senior games.

Sunday Wars

I learned of my Mansfield Sunday League game for this weekend on Friday night having had no contact throughout the week. I wasn't informed of the teams at the time but I wasn't worried too much about that as I don't really know too many of the teams anyway, so long as I know where i'm going.

It was Archers 703 against Abbott Road and my initial impression was that the much younger Archers side would be too much for the veterans of Abbott Road. The combined age of their midfield 4 must have toppled 200! However, it was Abbott Road who opened the scoring after 20 minutes or so when a free kick floated into the back post via the wind was missed by everyone and nestled into the far corner. The scorer, who I had had words with a couple of times just prior to the goal, firstly for a reckless challenge which he was lucky to not make contact with the opponent, and secondly for verbally abusing a player, celebrated by goading the opposition in a somewhat tasteless manner and so I put him in the book.

To an inexperienced, or younger referee, this game would possibly have been very difficult but I'm getting more and more used to Sunday football every week and so relished the challenge of staying in control. The home linesman was difficult to work with and so I had to make my own mind up about offside calls, whilst a number of the away players were rash in the tackle and also quite verbally abusive. I had to ensure I was taking action with every incident and a few stern words with them did the trick.

I spoke to the away captain at half time asking him to speak to his cautioned player to ensure he lasts the 90 on the pitch whilst also speaking to one of the veteran midfielders about the height of his elbows when he goes up for the ball in the air. Both words were heeded and there was no problem with either of the 2 in the second half.

Archer equalised in the second half on 75 minutes when the wind really got hold of the ball and left the keeper stranded but Abbott had spent a lot of time prior to this wasting time and basically holding up play. It wasn't all their fault as with the wind and the venue, a lot of time was spent fetching the ball from afar, but at times they could have been much quicker.

I intended on playing 4 minutes of stoppage time to make up for lost time and 4 minutes passed just as the ball went out for a corner to Abbott Road. As the ball was fetched, I considered when to blow for full time, either now, as the corner was taken or when the ball was next cleared. I thought it would bring about trouble if I didn't let them take the corner or as it was being delivered so I hoped Archer could clear the ball and earn their deserved point. It wasn't too be though as the corner swung in and was met by the head of an attacking Abbott Road player who thundered the ball past the home keeper.

I blew up as the restart was taken and felt quite harsh on Archer who deserved a point but ended up with 0. There was a flashpoint after the game when a mouthy spectator began to wind up the home team and one of the Archer defenders spent some time embroiled in a heated war of words with the spectator and a few of the away players but luckily nothing more than words were had and I picked up my money and headed quickly for my car!

I was pleased with my performance in a very difficult game and players from both sides said I'd had a very good game which I was delighted with.

Need to catch up

I am more than happy with how my blog ran for last season (2009/10) in which was my first year as a qualified referee. I covered almost every game I did with a little detail but towards the end of the season when the games came in thick and fast, not to mention the workload required in the Wedding plans, therefore the Blog took a bit of a back seat and here I am, halfway through Season 2 (2010/11) and not a post has been made.

I will at some point get around to adding the games that I did at the end of last season, just so that I have a full record of them, as well as mentioning the fact that I did 5 cup finals! Which was a great achievement.

I also want to catch up with what I have done so far this season so again I have a full record, but I want to come at this from a different angle as last year I covered the games a little bit more than needed and didn't particularly mention anything about my own performance. Now I am refereeing at a whole different level, the standard is much better, the games are bigger and there is much more focus on me developing as a referee and so I will use this blog to do just that.

New Start at Drezden

I took full advantage of my new position as Referee Secretary and scheduled me in for 3 games at Drezden Colts, doing the U9, U14 and U15 sides. I slightly miscalculated the lengths of the U9 and U14 games as when receiving the calls to arrange the games, I lined them up so they were one after the other with 5 minutes in between. However, my miscalculation meant that the U15 had to wait 10 minutes for me to finish with the U9 and I risked missing out on this.

I put myself down for 3 games each weekend as I wanted to do as many games as I could in my first promotion year. I enjoyed being out there, felt fit enough to referee for the majority of the day and also wanted to bring in that always helpful extra income, but that wasn't the main reason. I know with every game I take I will benefit and learn something new so the more the merrier. But I don't want this to come at the expense of any sides. I didn't want to be too tired to do the latter games and have a poor game, or upset teams by making them wait for my arrival etc.

I started today by doing the U14's side against Beaufort United, in a close game that swung both ways before the away side came out 4-2 winners. The U9's then beat Welbeck Welfare 4-0 before I took over from Pete Dean, who had started my U15's game as they risked losing the main pitch if they didn't kick off on time. Drezden won 2-1 in a closely fought game with rivals Glapwell Gladiators.

I had enjoyed my first outing of the season and had no issues whatsoever, no cards, no upsets, a good start. Long may it continue!

Summer Developments

Following the 2009-10 season where I felt I achieved everything I wanted to in terms of getting plenty of games under my belt (80+), gaining the experience I hoped I would and improving to a level I was happy with, I applied for promotion to Level 6 or above, which I will be undertaking during the course of 2010-11.

I also enjoyed being a part of the Youth League, helping wherever I could and so I applied to join the committee to help further improve the league in any way that I could. I had intended for this to be help with some IT integration, improving the documentation, the website and communication systems but at my first meeting I was offered the position of REferee Secretary.

At this stage I hadn't known what was involved with my promotion, I just figured I would be doing more games in the Youth League and so no extra time or effort would be required and so I accepted the position, knowing it was a tough one but feeling confident that I could succeed in it.

So this year, I will be working towards at least Level 6, undertaking games in the Central Midlands League, whilst continuing officiating in the Youth League and Notts Combination (Sundays) and also taking on the task of Referees Secretary for the Youth League.