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.

Busy Weekend! - Sunday

I followed up my Saturday games with 2 very difficult games on Sunday. The first was a Mansfield Sunday League game at the Manor Complex, as Mansfield United met Shirebrook RBL.

Both sides tackled hard, but Shirebrook were by far the more physcial side all over the pitch, more so the captain as he threw himself quick and hard into every challenge. I had to ensure I was in a good position to see whether he was endangering his opponents, but more often than not, his challenges were well timed and fair, despite them being very strong. When he was arriving late I shouted to ensure that he remained cautious and fair and very few times early on did I need to stop play for fouls.

However, as the game went on, the tackles got stronger, especially as frustration at some offences crept into play. I had to eventually caution the captain for an unneccessary kick out on a player after making a tackle where he didn't come out as the winner of the ball. His opposite number also received a caution for a swipe at a player, which he accepted, but I couldn't understand why he had made the tackle in the first place.

The easiest caution of the day came when a home player had beaten a number of men and was about to enter the box when the away number 3 took hold of his midrift from behind with both hands and dragged him to the floor. He ended up inside the penalty area but the offence occurred just outside, whilst he was also close to being last man, but not quite. He accepted his caution gracefully and play moved on from the free kick, which was lofted way over the goal.

The second half became more difficult as both sides looked for a goal, there was a penalty claim at both ends before a clear penalty was given to the home side, which at the time made it 1-1. This frustrated Shirebrook further having held the lead for a while and so they became reckless in many of their challenges. I had to have words with both full backs before issuing a further caution to the centre back who was constantly barracking me at every opportunity. I had spoken to him a number of times before finally issuing him a yellow card.

The earlier caution to the away number 3 did nothing to change his game and he continued to commit minor infringements as well as shout at me a number of times and had I been in a fouler mood, there were a good few occasions where he could have been sent from the field of play deservedly. The Shirebrook captain also made clear his intent on hurting his opposite number too as they battled for control of the midfield and I had to have stern words with him, which seemed to work as he remained on the pitch for the duration.

In the end, it finished 1-1, even more surprisingly both sides ended with 11 men. I didn't hear much from any of the away players after the game as they headed off quite promptly but the Mansfield United side all praised me in what was a very tough game. I had thoroughly enjoyed it though and believed I had controlled it well and not allowed either side to dictate my decisions. Every card was required at the time and I made my way to the second game hoping my form could continue into it.

Despite the later game being between U14 sides, the match was just as physcial and verbal as their had been history between the 2 and a strong referee was required - too bad they ended up with me!

I recognised a number of the home players (Sherwood Colliery) from Saturday football and even a couple of the away side (Greasley MW) and thought the game would be very close. As it was, Greasley went 2-0 up quite early, before Sherwood pulled it level just before half time.

There were a number of strong challenges and I ensured that any that needed dealing with was done so in a quick, vocal and stern manner as not to allow for it to continue. Very few players in either side backed out of any tackles and so it was a very difficult game, with many free kicks.

Had I taken on this game 12 months ago I feel I may have struggled but now I am confident in my ability as a referee, especially at youth level and ensure that I let nothing go that requires dealing with. I don't shy away from making decisions, talking to players who require it and let nothing, including the technical team, from swaying my decisions, despite both sets of managers bouncing up and down the touchline all game.

A very heavy challenge in the middle of the park near the end of the first half resulted in one player being sidelined for a good 10 minutes before returning, needed dealing with. I cautioned the player after a good chat. It was his first offence and it didn't merit a red card, despite the protests of the opposition, including the downed players mother!

I had to also caution a couple of players for persistent offences, after speaking to each one a couple of times before eventually showing them the yellow card. I would much rather talk to a player to get them to watch how they are challenging rather than producing a card straight away but after a couple of talking's to, if the issue continues, cards are needed to ensure control is fully with me.

Sherwood eventually took the game 3-2 and there was an injury time shout for a penalty to Greasley for handball, which I didn't believe was the case and in the end, after 7 yellow cards and a tough 70 minutes, I blew for full time. I was greeted first by both assistants who thanked me for a good game before the Greasley manager made his way towards me. I thought I was in for an ear bashing before he took hold of my hand, pulled me in close by his side and thanked me for an absolutely perfect game, except the last second penalty decision!

This was very pleasing and gives me a great boost to my confidence, that even the losing manager can be this gracious and also aware that I had done very well in this game. On reflection, I can't actually think if too much that I could have done better in this game and hope that I perform at this level every week. I know I need to take this level of performance into the senior leagues but I believe it will come in good time.

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.