Headstocks Victory

For the third time in 4 weeks I officiated in another Headstocks win where goals were at the plenty. It took some doing at first though as Arnold Victory were a well organised side who created plenty of chances of their own. Headstocks had missed a couple of their own before taking the lead half way through the opening half.

They were 2 up soon after before Arnold pulled one back. 3-1 was the half time score. In the second half Headstocks ran riot with 3 further goals to finish 6-1 up and although they deserved the win overall, 6-1 was probably a bit harsh on Arnold who had worked hard.

I had to caution a Headstocks player for a late tackle that the Arnold captain certainly felt on the ankle, and there was a late scuffle in one corner that I had to deal with but decided not to caution anyone as it was handbags really.

Consistency

Following yesterday's near-perfect brace of games I was determined to ensure my performance continued into today's game in the Notts Combination for Headstocks away at Pure, a fixture I had started the season against in a pre-season game that ended 5-0 to Headstocks.

This time we travelled to the other side of Nottingham for the tie as Pure hadn't been able to organise a referee themselves, so Headstocks had asked me to take the game. It probably looked a little dubious the referee turning up with the away team but they were expecting me! I just hope the game went well enough for me to still be ok for a lift back again!

As it was, Pure started on fire, creating a couple of chances early on and taking a deserved lead inside the first 10 minutes. Headstocks weren't at the races and were being well beaten in every position and were lucky to go into the half time break only 1-0 down. They could also claim to be unfortunate too as what appeared to be a perfectly good goal from a free kick was flagged for offside and I wasn't in a position to overrule it. The ball was played into a crowded box but on the kick the defence had ran forward to force the offside trap, there were 2 Headstocks players clearly off but the player on the end of it had made a run and I was unsure whether he was onside and had no choice but to go with the linesman who was adament he was off. Tasty finish though as it flew into the top corner on the volley.

Headstocks certainly heard their managers' opinion during the interval as he tore into his usually high standard side. They came out much better for the second half and a period of sustained pressure saw Headstocks level and soon after it was 2-1. They went 3-1 before Pure pulled one back and threatend for a moment to spoil the party. But the away side got a fortuatous brace near the end as the ageing keeper made hard work of two efforts from distance and Pure may feel very hard done to having lost 5-2.

I had very little to do in the game other than wade through the thick muddy sludge as a result of the weekend downpour, and I was congratulated again at the end of the game by both sides. I was really pleased that 3 games in a row had ended in such a positive manner and it gives me strong belief that I can progress to the end of the season in such great form but I don't wanna get carried away after 3 good games.

Benefits of a linesman!!

I've said earlier on this blog that I'm hoping progression into the higher leagues with neutral assistants will make my job as a referee much easier and after this match that day can't come soon enough!

The game was FC Headstocks against La Torque in the Notts Combination senior league, a reverse of the fixture I had done in November. Both sides were doing well in the league and after La Torque had edged the first game after Headstocks had spent the majority of it in front, this game was billed to be just as tight.

Headstocks have a very talented side, especially going forward, but are a bit suspect at the back. La Torque are similar, with a very ageing back 4 but an attack that is capable of mounting a fairly powerful counter attack.

The first half went well, ending 0-0 and with little to write home about from my point of view. Headstocks controlled and really should have been 2 or 3 up with the chances they created. There were a number of appeals for pushes in the back from La Torque which I remember plenty of in the first game. There was nothing in them though, often the hand was on a back but no pressure was applied so it's no foul. If I pulled it up every time they appealed the game would've been stop-start throughout. I'd hoped for just as little controversy in the second half but unfortunately it didn't quite go to plan.

Only 4 minutes had been played when a La Torque defender played the ball and allowed his keeper to pick it up - a backpass. I made the call and the away side began to protest whilst the home side placed the ball down and stuck it into the unguarded net. I ruled this out and now I had 2 sets of players coming at me! I made it clear to La Torque that it was a backpass and ordered them to get on the line ready for the impending indirect free-kick, whilst informing the Headstocks players that the goal was not only ruled out due to the protests and haste in which it was taken but the position, as they were only 3 yards from the line when they tried to restart, instead of the minimum 6. The ball was respotted and I instructed the wall not to break until the ball was played but before I could blow to indicate the restart, the wall broke and the ball was played and hammered into the crowd of players. I had the kick retaken again and made it clear that the whistle needed to blow before they could start and anyone breaking from the line early would find themselves in the book.

The third time of asking was a success and the ball again was hammered at the wall but it stood firm and there was a large scramble as La Torque tried to clear their lines. A few swipes were taken before one defender tried to clear but instead chose to control it before the keeper took it off his toe leading to another very debated free kick. This time it was taken first time without incident and it was scored to put Headstocks 1-0 up. The La Torque players spent the next few minutes appealing at everything and took their focus right off the game, which cost them a second goal shortly after.

A long hit downfield from the Headstocks keeper was flicked on by the first striker and slotted in by the second. Before the flick on though, there was a decent shout for a push in the back but there didn't look like there was much in it. The angle I was at meant the supposed pushed player blocked the Headstock striker entirely so I couldn't see the push if it had occurred so there was more appeals when the goal was scored. I had believed it was a false appeal but was disappointed that on the return to his half for the kick off, the accused striker shrugged the appeal off and said that if they could get away with it then why not. I made it a priority from this point to ensure I had a clear view of any aerial challenges and give any benefit of doubt to the away side.

The rest of the game was controversy free but La Torque's focus had shifted from the game to any infringements and they eventually lost 5-0. I was pleased with my performance throughout the majority of the game but found the earlier incident tough to manage. As the title of the post suggests, it would have been a lot easier had there been neutral assistants but as I was out there on my own, I think I did reasonably well.

15 and Out!

My 6th official game for my Sunday side, Hucknall Rangers against Nottingham Knights, became my last as a referee for a few reasons. Coming off the back of some heavy criticism in the last match for them against Linney Group on 25th October, I felt this game had gone a lot better. Rangers had won 15-0 and I didn't have many things to do other than award a couple of clear penalties in Hucknall's favour and caution a very lippy defender. But following this match, I was still criticised by a couple of Hucknall players, who I'd considered mates for the past couple of years, so thought enough was enough.

I'd taken on the task of officiating for Hucknall as a favour to manager and good friend Leon, saving him the task of tracking down a much sought after official every other week, saving him a little money in the process, whilst giving me some extra valuable experience reffing at this level (and some extra cash), as well as staying on the scene with the team whilst I recovered from my broken ankle.

After 2 seasons with AFC Hucknall, the team had been disbanded and reformed under a new name but with many of the same lads as before but there were a lot of new faces so it was good to stay amongst them, rather than not play a part at all until I had fully recovered as the task of trying to get back into the team with a lot of unknowns would have been much harder.

This game itself could have been a lot more had it not been for some wasteful play in front of goal, but I think 15-0 was hard enough on the opposition!

Linney

One of my first games this season refereeing for my Sunday side Hucknall Rangers, was a pre-season game against a newly formed side Linney Group from Mansfield. It was a good chance to see what the opposition would be like as Hucknall would be facing them twice at least in the forthcoming campaign in the league. Hucknall came out of the game having little to fear, winning 3-2 - albeit comfortably and it probably could have been more but for some wasteful finishing. Hucknall's side on that day consisted of very few first team players as they tend to only come out during the actual season so have an extended break whilst the friendlies are being played.

Linney group had began the season struggling. Their side is mainly made up of either ageing, overweight or injured players, who have an obvious love for the game but are well out of their depths at this level. They were getting stuffed left, right and centre, often by double figures and there was little to debate that Hucknall wouldn't do the same to them again today, especially after the very positive start Hucknall had made. That being said, no team should be taken lightly and this was the mistake the Hucknall manager made going into this game. It was as if this game was a given and 3 points were as good as won, whilst the goal difference would be severely boosted.

As it went, Linney had a better start at least than most could imagine. I played my part in infuriating the Hucknall lads at the start by not bringing back 2 or 3 early foul throws as I didn't want to spoil the continued flow of the game. A couple of them were borderline anyway so may not have been given by other refs whilst at least one was quite blatantly a foul throw, which was appealed against but as Hucknall won the ball from it I allowed play to continue.

Hucknall were playing poorly and this resulted in Linney taking a surprise 1-0 lead and shortly after were 2-0 up. The flag did go up at one point when the ball was played through for the second goal but it wasn't clear who was being given offside as one lad had made a run from his own half and the clearer offside player had stopped. I had to speak to the linesman before giving the goal, who hadn't dropped his flag but he pointed out it was the player who stopped who he was giving offside against and that the goal should stand. The Hucknall lads were enraged at this decision, albeit the right one, but also were directing a lot of their furore at me for not pulling them up sooner for the bad throws. I made sure I pulled them up the next time which I didn't have to wait long for. Hucknall then began to throw everything at their opponents to get back into the game but at the same time, appealed against anything and everything.

From a corner, Linney cleared the box but Hucknall centre back Lee Weir met the ball with a stinging half volley that was blocked just a few yards in front of him by a Linney defender and claims of handball were voiced. I had a clear view and knew it hadn't struck the hand but even if so, the player was too close to there the ball was struck from he'd've not been able to get hands out of the way had it hit him, unless they were in an unnatural position, ie, above shoulder height etc. I turned the appeal down much to the home sides disgust.

A second appeal was turned down a few minutes later when close friend of mine Chris Taylor had burst into the box and was running along the byline before attempting to play the ball back into the box for a teammate, but his last touch before the cross meant he was having to stretch to reach the ball and it was cleared before he could quite make it. This led to an air-shot which meant he fell sidewards, which made the majority of the Hucknall players and coaches claim for a penalty and look even more disgusted than the first time when I rejected their appeals. It was evident they were after whatever they could get and were desperate with losing to such a poor side but as well as having clearly seen no offense, it was the easiest decision I've had to make due to the fact there was no appeal from the player himself, who I've known for over 20 years and had there been even a 1% chance of a penalty, he would have been the first one I would've heard! I've rejected clear penalties against him before and been reminded of them for months after so I know had this one been a decision to be made he would have been the first to tell me.

Hucknall did get one back before half time and halfway through the second half, their relentless pressure eventually led to the equaliser. This gave them a lot of confidence and the run of the game did look as though there was only going to be one winner from here. However, Hucknall became over confident and started to lose shape with every player from the front to the back pushing forward in search of the next goal. With all the space in behind the Hucknall defence due to them pressing, Linney could afford to play on the counter and long ball later, led to their striker being put clean through. The big Hucknall keeper started to come out and I was myself surprised to see the striker hit it from about 25 yards out when he could've got a lot closer to goal. It wasn't a great strike, with very little behind it but it found it's way past the keeper to out Linney 3-2 up with about 15 minutes to go.

Everything now was being hit into the Linney box from every angle but little was being made of them and it looked like they were going to remain frustarted throughout. A corner in the final minute had been headed towards the line but scrambled clear, and of course, this was followed by appeals of a goal but it hadn't crossed the line. I was being berated from every angle now, even people I'd class as close friends were now on my back but I don't know what I was being expected to do, I couldn't simply give them a free goal because this was my team. A second corner followed as we entered injury time and this time it was headed over the line, only just as the keeper got across to scoop it out from the goal but this time the goal was awarded and almost from the kick off I blew for full time.

Their was disgust and disappointment throughout, both from Linney for not having held out for their first win, instead this was their first draw, but Hucknall were fuming they had dropped points against such mediocre opposition. I bore the brunt of their anger, with me clearly being made the scapegoat for the result. The management couldn't even look at me after the game, which was gutting as these were 2 lads I had been very close to for the past couple of years. I could feel my time being part of this club wearing thin, I even began doubting my own performance.

After the game I took a lot of time reflecting on it as I didn't want it to be something that held me back in the future. I didn't want it to stop me refereeing in the future as at this point I had started thinking of taking it as far as I could but the only mistakes I felt I made were not pulling back the foul throws at the start of the game. In the end, I didn't let it affect my mind and when I look back at this game I'll use it as evidence that in this game you certainly can't please anyone, not even those closest to you. I won't set out to do so in the future, not that I had in this and I'll never hold myself responsible for the result of any game. The players and the managers need to look a lot closer at themselves before wagging fingers my way again.

Fair play

With no game on the Sunday for Hucknall as they were away, I was asked to take the Headstocks in their away game against La Torque, as their opponents were struggling to find a ref of their own.

My experience of both sides had me down for a clear away win as Headstocks were capable of scoring for fun whilst La Torque had struggled against my old side AFC Hucknall Reserves, who putting it bluntly were a very poor side.

Headstocks came out the blocks quickest, taking the lead just 7 minutes in and 30 minutes into the half doubled their lead. They were threatening to run riot but were hit by a couple of injuries at the back leading to changes involving players having to fill in in unfamiliar positions. This gave the home side a little hope and they hit back straight away with a goal and so the half time score was 2-1 to Headstocks with it all to play for.

The opening 45 minutes had gone well with little to dispute and I had hoped that the second half could go just as well. The only moment of interest was very early on when a Headstocks player leaped high to win the ball in the air but I had felt that he'd gained an advantage by jumping onto and above an opponent so blew for the foul which was met by disappoinment and it felt clear that I had made the wrong call and in fact the player had actually done very well to get up so high to win the ball and he hadn't prevented the La Torque player battling for it himself, he'd just chose not to. Often, especially in the heat of the moment I guess it is down to the opinion of each official as to what is declared a foul. I think some would have given the same decision as me whilst others would have acknowledged it to be a great leap. I suppose that will only come from experience. The jumping player then had a bit of a shout my way and I reached into my pocket for my book but even the La Torque players fought his corner saying it wasn't worthy of a card as it was so early in the game, was his first offense and that he was only expressing his disappointment at the decision. I replied by saying I wasn;t going to book him but was reaching into my pocket to warn that I wasn't there to be shouted at - of course I had intended to caution him but felt this explanation told the tale better!

The second half started well too, Headstocks regaining their 2 goal cushion on the hour before they showed clear signs of fatigue, so when La Torque pulled one back 5 minutes later and then equalised a further 5 minutes after, it looked as though the game was anybody's. The contest was now a battle of wills, there were few chances and plenty of individual errors with neither side taking the game by the scruff of it's neck. With just 5 minutes to go, La Torque forced a chance in the box and put themselves ahead for the first time in the game. A couple of minutes later and a long ball sent them away again and as I made every effort to catch up with play, I heard the whack of boots as a Headstocks defender ran across the back of the breaking player and he went crashing to the ground. I thought it was the clearest penalty decision I've had to give for some time but when I pointed to the spot the Headstocks defender was furious at the decision, much to my confusion. The La Torque striker then got up and insisted their was no infringement, he'd simply caught his own boots. It was an act of very good sportsmanship but it didn;t stop me getting a bit of greif for calling for the foul in the first place, I just wished those giving me some stick could have seen the incident from my viewpoint! In the end, I knocked the ball back to the keeper and told him to restart with a goalkick. The game was brought to a close a few minutes later and La Torque had earned a 4-3 win, which at the start of the game would've surprised me but they probably did edge it over the 90 minutes.

Away Hammering

I took my 3rd Hucknall Rangers official match of the season but this time it was away to Clifton, played near Boots' HQ in Beeston, filling in as Clifton couldn't get another referee. I spoke to their manager when I arrived who thanked me for being able to ref the game and was happy that I was a registered Hucknall player.

It was an easier game to referee than it was to watch as Clifton ran out 7-1 winners. They played great football and the Hucknall side had many lads in who had not played much together and so found it hard to gel or get any sort of rhythm together.

No complaints from either side over my performance so that can only be a positive thing and helps me further my progression and experience.

Captain Gobby!

My second game in charge officially of a Hucknall Rangers match was against recognised opponents in New Venture. This was a team that we had played a fair few times over the past couple of seasons and every game was a close affair. They'd got the better of us once last season, whilst we'd had experience of victory against them, so it was assumed this tie would be just as difficult and could go either way.

Venture turned up late to the point where it looked as though they wouldn't make it for the allowed time, which is 45 minutes after the arranged kick off time and with Leon, the Hucknall manager not able to get hold of the opposition, the points let set to go to the home side. However, just a few minutes before the deadline, they rolled into the car park apologetically as there had been issues with the team meaning a bare 11 had been able to turn up and without a manager.

I spoke to the captain who had asked for some time to warm up and then we were good to go. He sounded a decent chap, someone I could get on with and wouldn' get much aggro from in the game but how wrong can I be?! Hucknall had taken an early lead and this had gotten his back up and shortly after he was fending off the pressure in his own box from Jimmy, Hucknall's winger who is one of the smallest senior players you're likely to come up against. I'd seen Jimmy put his hand in the lower back of the Venture captain but there was no pressure applied so there was nothing to call and so I was surprised to see him fall to the floor whilst appealing for a push. I'd waved him up and said there was nothing in it but he protested. I foolishly commented that Jimmy was only 'this big' (whilst indicating the height with my hand of someone about 3 foot nothing) which really got his back up. I didn't think he'd take it to heart and so for the entire game he used my comments against every decision I made. He was constantly on at me and I had tried to apologise but he was having none of it. There was nothing else I could do so I left him to his whineing.

His verbal torrents continued and began quickly to take the focus of the match away from his teammates who on numerous occasions asked him to shut up and get on with the game, which he took no notice of. Hucknall used this to their advantage and raced into a 4-1 half time lead. Whilst I was being accused of being totally against New Venture, their goal incedently came from a penalty which I had awarded for handball against a Hucknall defender.

He continued his protests during half time so I took him to one side to try to apologise for my comment again but he continued moaning so I simply said that I was't prepared to just take his mouth for the next 45 minutes so if he couldn't speak to me properly I would have no hesitation but to caution him. The Hucknall management had told me to get him in the book if he persists and not to take it but I simply said it was in their favour and I was happy to have him chewing my ear off if it made him feel better, I didn't mind.

The second half started as the first had ended, Hucknall dominant and Venture's captain moaning. Hucknall made it 5-1 and soon after I called the captain over and enough was enough, he was in the book. This kept him quite quiet for the rest of the game, he picked up again in the last 5 minutes but I wasn't going to send him off. I did feel for his side having no real leadership as their manager had let them down and they had no subs etc but this was no excuse for his behaviour. They pulled one back late on for 5-2 before Hucknall went 6-2 up. The way the game had gone was obviously haveing an effect on the other Venture players and soon after the 6th Hucknall goal, I did have to send one packing after he violently kicked out at a Hucknall player after losing the ball. It was vicious and I had no hesitation showing him the red but I was surprised to see his shock at the colour of the card.

Near the end of the game, I noticed the Venture captain on the floor holding his jaw and he made out that a Hucknall defender had struck him. In any other circumstance I would have believed him and tried to find anyone else to back his story up before dealing with the defender but on this occasion I knew he was pulling a fast one. I spoke to the linesman on the near side who said he hadn't been struck, but this was a Hucknall representative so I expected no less. I thought I would get more from Leon, the Hucknall manager but in an Arsene Wenger approach, he didn't see it! I could only then speak to the player in question who said he hadn't punched him but that the captain had been making reference to the fact that he was Polish and so he'd simply pushed him away. I gave him a caution for admitting a push but as I hadn;t seen it, this was purely for the Venture captains benefit and I didn't submit the caution after the game.

The game ended 6-3 as an admittedly soft penalty was awarded to New Venture with time almost out and the game finally ended. The captain then surprised all by turning into Mr Nice Guy and apologising for his behaviour and then tried to get out of his caution. He asked whether I would send it in, which I said of course. This annoyed him and he tried to plead with me insisting that I send the red in for violent conduct but not his. I wasn't going to back down and simply said it was going in to which he replied he was going to complain about my performance to which I was happy with and even offered him the email address of who it would need to go to. Needless to say, he didn't take it!

First Hucknall Game

Other than a few friendlies in pre-season and a couple of unofficial matches in the past couple of years, I lined up to take charge of my first official match for Hucknall Rangers in what would be a tough game against their biggest rivals, Bedstead.

I didn't know if it would be easier or more difficult to referee for my own team, as I knew they would expect more decisions to go their way but I had to remain unbiased and call the game as I saw it. I'd felt in the past that I would give more to the opposition when reffing for my own sides as not to look biased but knowing the opponents were not aware that I was officiating for a team I was registered for, I felt comfortable calling every decision as I saw it, whether either side were happy with the calls or not.

This match went really well in terms of my own performance. Hucknall were beaten 3-0 and could have no complaints as they were just not strong enough to match the quality of their rivals and no-one looked at me for the result. I'd called the match as I;d saw it and there was no real decisions I had to make so there was nothing to be frustrated about. I'd hope this was to be a sign for the rest of the season, but with better results for Hucknall.

First caution!

After spending a couple of weekends away and with the youth league not starting until the following week, my first official game as a fully qualified referee came again for Headstocks against a team both they and I knew from having played them a few times in recent years, Optima.

I had been told to expect a very close game as both sides saw themselves as prospective league winners but with Headstocks being a newly formed team made up of plenty of players with experience of playing at a much better standard, they were soon in control of the game. In fact, they opened the scoring with less than 30 seconds on the clock with probably the best goal I'm likely to see all season. An Optima goalkick made it to the half way line but an Headstocks striker thought nothing to lashing it back on the volley and it flew past the keeper who had no chance.

Personally I felt I had a decent game with nothing much to write home about (though I always manage to write plenty as you'll soon see!) but there was a big talking point near the end of the first half. Headstocks were 3-0 up and were taking a throw in near the half way line on the far side. One of the Optima players was frustrated at how the game was turning out and began to complain at every decision that went against them. The throw in was taken and the Optima player called for a foul throw. I signalled to play on and waved away his protest to be met with a shout of "F*** Off then!". To me, this was a red card offence which we learnt to always deal with straight away irrespective of where the play was, so I blew to bring the game back, to the disappointment of the Headstock lads who had just made a break down the wing and were outnumbering their opposition in the box.

I called the player in question to one side and his captain came with him to plead his case, saying he was aiming his frustration at the captain and not at me, to which I didn't believe. A couple of Headstocks lads came too to protest against the call to bring the game back when they were on the attack and I told their skipper I was doing it as I was to send the player off but due to the nature of the game, I had reduced it to a caution at the request of his captain and so apologised to the home side for breaking down their attack. I told the player who I was to caution that I was of no doubt that he was aiming his words at me and needed to quash his frustrations otherwise he would be on the pitch for not much longer. I showed him the yellow card and said I'd give him the benefit and the game got back underway. I felt I could've handled this better, by letting the play continue before bringing it back but I was afraid I would not know who I was going back to speak to wanted to do it there and then, and was slightly disappointed to have reduced it to a yellow card when it was a certain red but my soft side came through as his side were ggetting nothing from the game. I would've also felt bad for Headstock if they hadn't been a few goals up and running away with the game.