Biggest game to date

As the end of the season draws ever closer, the games are starting to get bigger and more important, for most sides anyway. I've already learned that I shall be officiating in 3 cup finals near the end of the season, which is great news - more info on that to follow.

Today, I faced my biggest game to date. An U15 Cup semi-final between Robin Hood Colts and Arnold Town Maroon. I should have had 2 assistants in this game but when I made it to the ground I heard that one had already called in sick so arrangements were made for a representative from each side to take a half each. There were only 5 minutes remaining before kick off when the other assistant arrived, otherwise I was on my own.

Before the game got underway, I was asked to lead the sides out of the changing rooms and onto the pitch and for them to then do the respect handshakes. I had heard earlier in the season that the handshakes should be taking place on a weekly basis anyway but I'd not seen it put into place all year, my bad?

Following this the game got under way and it was Robin Hood that started the brighter. This was a team I was familiar with as it was the third time this season I had taken charge of one of their games. Arnold though were apparently the favourites and began to take control of the game, going ahead in one of their first attacks on the quarter of an hour mark. Robin Hood though to their credit didn't let their heads go down and equalised merely 2 minutes later.

It was a very well contested first half and at the break the score remained 1-1. I was pleased at just how well the half had ran, with no incident of note to mention, especially as in previous games with the home side, there have been plenty of moaning and appeals from both those on the pitch and those off it, but today everyone seemed fully focused on the game.

I was advised at half time by one of the home representatives to just keep an eye out for Arnold playing a little rougher as they were known for it apparently but there'd been no sign of this in the first half. The away side started the second half brighter and midway through the half took the lead with a well worked goal down the right side. When the players had returned to their own half, I was alerted to a man down in the box. It was a home defender who appeared to have taken a blow to the knee and was in some pain, and I had my ear chewed off by a Robin Hood coach who said that I had missed something. The thing was, all the play had come down the right side, there was nothing or at least very little happening on the left or even in the centre so how this p[layer had took a knock on the far left side of the 6 yard box was beyond me.

Moments later and a free kick was floated into the box by Arnold and at first the keeper looked like he was comfortable but he spilled it, much to the delight of the unrushing Arnold forwards who had the simplest of tasks of putting the rebound past him. Once again, following the return of the Arnold players to their own half and the keeper had stayed down and was upset. Again the same Robin Hood official barracked me for missing a 'clear' kick as the ball was put in but this time I made a point of saying that I was just yards from the play and there was no contact from the moment the ball was hit into the box to after it had gone in. The keeper had simply spilled it and couldn't recover. Even after the goal he was fine just disappointed that the goal came from his error, so it just looked like dirty tactics to me.

The remainder of the game went by pretty quickly and certainly without further incident and at the full time whistle, the Arnold players celebrated their progression to the final. I was then apprached by someone from the Notts FA and thought I had been observed at first until he simply informed me he was acting on behalf of a Charter Standard awarders and asked for my opinion on how each side had conducted themselves today. I said both had been great and there were no issues or concerns to which he thanked me and we both made our way from the ground.

I had to move pretty sharpish as I had 45 minutes to get to Notts for a game I was doing as a favour. I should have been taking another semi final in Ollerton for their U17's side but had only been contacted on the eve of the game and a clash in kick off times meant I could only do the first. I then sped to the venue of the Goose Fair for a Midlands Amatuer Alliance game between Cambridge Knights (of Nottingham!) and Selston.

This game was played in very high spirits and on a great day in the sun. It was clear from the off that Cambridge weren;t the greatest side in the world, with an ageing back line and, for want of a better word, a chunky lone striker! Selston were full of fairly talented young adults and they controlled the game from start to finish.

However, chances on the day were few and far between and surprisingly the game ended just 1-0 to Selston, with the goal coming in the closing minutes of the first half. How the scores were level for so long was beyond me but the Knights had battled hard and defended quite well but offered little going forward.

I had almost no decisions to make throughout the game and simply strolled around the pitch at my leisure. In fact the quickest I moved was the second I blew for full time as I made it to my car in record time to move it from the clutches of a traffic warden, who had been sniffing around it about half an hour earlier! I was in a rush finding the pitch and had just parked at the side of a main road, but other cars were there too, it there were no markings and I saw no signs. Still, luckily I got there in time!

2 at Underwood

I was down for 3 games at Underwood but the times meant that I had to give one up as I can't split myself in half! The one I ended up not doing was only as assistant in an Under 9's cup semi final, which is still played at 7 aside with no offside so it's not as though 2 assistants were crucial!

The first match was an U14's league game between Underwood and Robin Hood Colts. It was a great game to officiate, with not too much to do. It was quite end to end stuff with chances at both ends. There was an early caution for a Robin Hood forward who was putting his weight about early on, firstly with a slightly late slide on the goalkeeper which I let go with a warning, and then another on a defender which brought out the yellow.

Underwood were playing well and deservingly led at half time through a penalty given when a well struck shot was sent wide of the target by the arm of a defender. The Robin Hood manager had a word with me at half time, claiming to have heard taunts from the touchline aimed at winding his cautioned striker up. I'd not heard these but had a word with the Underwood manager as a precaution.

The second half brought not much change with Underwood playing some slick football and Robin Hood left to rely on long balls for their striker to deal with. Underwood went 2-0 up with 20 minutes to play and a late rally from Robin Hood left for a tense finish when a cross-come-shot by the Robin Hood target man looped over the keeper for 2-1. Villa held on though for the 3 points.

Slight confusion followed this game when another official turned up and was under the impression he was taking the next game on this pitch but I knew I was doing back to back games. It was resolved though when the Underwood U13's manager asked for me as it was I that he had spoken to earlier in the week and it turned out that the other official was the second assistant for the U9's game I couldn't do.

The next game was the U13's league tie between Underwood and Blackwell. I had last seen Blackwell when they were well beaten in a cup game at Forest Town but this was a more fairer battle, and one that they prevailed in.

Another tough battle with first Underwood starting strong and then Blackwell controlling for periods before my second penalty award of the day came as Underwood's forward was brought down clinically in the box and amid claims it was outside the box, I had absolutely no doubts it was inside, and really I should be thanked for being lenient as not to have shown a card when another referee would.

The oenalty was saved though and the rebound was gathered also by the keeper and this led to a huge lift in Blackwell's game. It was still 0-0 at half time but by this time Blackwell were having more than their fare share of posession which continued into the second half.

Underwood were now having to play on the break but were still creating chances. As the game got later, it looked like a 0-0 was well on the cards but at the death from a corner, which sailed straight into the goal. Blackwell celebrated as if it was a league winner, though for all I know it could well have been!

Moments later I blew for full time and both managers thanked me for a good game. I am pleased that my own good form continues but it hels when the games are played as fairly as they have been as of late.

Early Valentines Cards!

Today was one of my busiest days in terms of having to show yellows with 4 over the games. Probably could have been more as there were one or two others pushing for a yellow, whilst at least 2 of the yellows may have been reds on another day.

Starting at Debdale Lane, Manor 4th against Skegby Colts in the 1st round of the Knockout Cup. This was the fourth time the sides had attempted to play this match, luckily my trip wasn't wasted and the game went ahead. The first moment of controversy came prior to the kick off when both sides were exchanging cards. I was questioned about whether new signings made by Skegby were available for selection as they had not yet played for their side, but Manor were insisting that 3 league games should be played before they can play in the cup. I wasn't sure of the rules but something at the back of mind told me that rules were for finals only. A quick phone call to the league registrar confirmed this and the game went commenced.

Skegby started the brightest and had the ball over the line - just, with only 2 minutes played. The Manor keeper had struggled to stop it crossing and at one point had pulled it back from over the line. I was on the edge of the box and had made my mind up that it had gone over and the reaction of players on both teams confirmed it, together with the linesman, who was a Manor representative, so it was good to find an honest one.

Manor equalised not too long after and then midway through the first half I awarded a penalty for a trip after a Manor player had knocked the ball past a defender who then clearly obstructed him. It was a penalty but Skegby weren't happy about it and made their feelings pretty clear. The funny thing is though, it was an obvious obstruction and had it been out of the box no-one would have had any complaints. The penalty was missed though so as far as Skegby were concerned it was a let off and they could get on with the game.

A couple of times during the first half I had to have words with a Manor defender who had gone in a little recklessly when challenging for the ball in the air. Whilst the ball was dropping, he was jumping way too early whilst turning his back into an opponent, together with arms flailing and legs raised. I awarded a free kick the first time before reprimanding him the second.

On the stroke of half time, Manor broke and took the lead for the first time in the game. I blew the whistle almost as soon as the game restarted. It was an even first half though Manor had possibly just edged it. They were to pretty much control the second half but Skegby did have some chances. Just prior to half time though, I had felt quite a painful tweak at the top of my right leg and was struggling to get about the pitch. I tried to run it off but it didn't look like anything that was going to disappear any time soon. I rang the ref scretary during the break to cancel my second game but there was no-one to replace me so they might have to go without a ref. I decided to run as little as possible during the second half and if the pain got any worse, come off and let the teams sort out who would take over, or see if a ref from the surrounding pitches could replace me.

In fact, the second half went quite well, with Manor pressing mostly so keeping the ball in one half for the majority but the times that Skegby did break, I was able to keep up with play fairly well. Manor went 3-1 up and any fears of extra time was starting to look bleak, which was a blessing, but Skegby were more than in the game. They were probably a little agreived that they weren't awarded a penalty when from a throw in into the box, the player that I had spoken to in the first half pushed a Skegby player in the back sending him to the floor. It was on the edge of the box, probably even just inside but it felt like a very soft penalty if I awarded it but I stopped play to caution the player as this was his 5th offence and the 3rd time I spoke to him. I then gave Skegby a free kick on the edge of the box but nothing came of it. Manor wrapped the game up late on to make it 4-1, which felt a little hard on Skegby, but I was pleased that I had lasted the second half and there was a good 90 minute before the second game was to start. I was a little worried about having to do it but I was going to give it a go but mention to the Welbeck manager that I was suffering a little.

I got to the Welbeck game about 20 minutes before it was due to start. Both teams were in the changing rooms so I warmed up, whilst checking the pitch and the goals. I wasn't feeling the strain from earlier so I didn't mention the injury to either manager and the game got under way. Both sides were familiar, like most teams are starting to get, though I knew the Welbeck side and had taken one of their matches at home this season but I couldn't initially put my finger on when I last saw Robin Hood, the opposition. I remembered it was in Sutton a few months ago for a big cup game against Drezden, and this was confirmed when I was told that they were awaiting one of their key players to arrive from a County match, which had happened the first time around.

This game was heated from the start, when in the first minute two players clipped each other and began exchaning insults. It was quite petty and I simply told them to cut it out. It was a close, tight affair that could have gone either way. Both sides broke forward plenty, firing shots around the goal, winning corners, and looking likely to soon break the deadlock. Robin Hood had a great chance when a long range effort crashed back off the crossbar and the follow up shot was brilliantly pushed onto the post by the Welbeck keeper. Robin Hood were unlucky not to be one up but from the resulting corner, their skipper met the cross perfectly with his head and neither the Welbeck keeper nor the defender on the line could get to it.

Welbeck tried in vain to get back into the game but they tired as the half time break got closer and Robin Hood began to command the match, especially as their County player had arrived and was causing problems. The game threatened at times to boil over as players from both the rival sides tackled strongly and there were a few reactions but nothing that needed any more than a few words. The linesmen from each side weren't making it any easier as every attack saw the flag raised, rightly or wrongly and a lot of the time it was difficult to overrule from my position, especially when it was raised on the counter attack. A number of times I was having to be shouted to see that the flag was up due to probable incorrect calls as any time the ball is played where a player may be offside I always look across the line to the assistant. This got the players backs up too asking me to overrule where possible.

The second half ran similar to the first, with the teams being fairly even in standard, though Welbeck were the first in the half to find the net. They also had a penalty shout soon after the goal when they broke to a one-on-one situation but the Welbeck striker trod on the ball when about to shoot, causing the ball to roll into the keepers arms whilst he took a bad tumble. Clearly the Welbeck crowd didn't see how this had happened and bellowed for the spotkick and I had to take a little flack for a couple of minutes for not awarding anything but I would have had no hesitation had there been a decision to make.

Robin Hood returned to the lead with about 20 minutes to go and so Welbeck again had to find their way back into the game. Their backs were up once again when their striker and a Robin Hood defender were heading towards the Robin Hood goal, whilst trying to fend each other off fairly shoulder to shoulder. The Robin Hood defender had to be careful as during the run he had become the last defender and the Welbeck player had started to edge in front and getting closer to the goal but he still had work to do. His last touch saw him knock the ball a little too far in front of him so he was in a race with the keeper for the ball whilst the defender was also close by. As the Welbeck player ran across the defender, he was hacked back by the hands of the defender but simultaneously the Robin Hood keeper had won the race to the ball. I blew for the foul and there was a little anxiety as to whether their would be a red card shown. I called the defender over who was a little reluctant to speak properly at first as I talked him through the incident. He replied that he didn't care to the foul which negated the protests of his teammates claiming their was no offence, whilst giving 'Mr Blobby' as his surname - possibly enough to turn a yellow into a red. I said he was lucky that his keeper had won the race to the ball otherwise he would be walking, I showed him the yellow card before Welbeck made nothing of a free kick on the edge of the box.

Their were plenty of personal battles on the pitch and a couple from each side were lucky not to be cautioned but late on a Robin Hood player found himself in the book by purposely tripping an opponent as Welbeck broke. 30 seconds later and a Welbeck forward was in the book for the same thing as frustrations began to show. It wasn't helped by the sideslines from each side as they were gearing up their own players and encouraging them to go in hard on the other side. Finally, I was able yo bring the game to a close and Robin Hood edged a close game, probably deservedly so. Whilst their was one or two narks aimed my way by disgruntled players and supporters, the majority of the lads knew the game ran well and thanked me for a good game. I was just pleased to come out of it without feeling my earlier injury too much!

Big cup game

I was originally down for an easy under 11's tie in Southwell before heading to Sutton for a big cup game at Sutton Town's old ground. This would be my first fairly big game at a decent ground, stands and everything! The Under 11's game didn't go ahead for some reason or another but I got a call out of the blue to take their under 8's against Rainworth Rangers.

Working out the journey from Southwell to Sutton was key as I had less than 45 minutes to get there and prepared and I wasn't familiar with the route but hoped I would be ok.

There was an annoying wait for the opposition to turn up though and as time ticked away, I worried that I would now be late for my second game, but just as the deadline time I had set approached, Rainworth turned up. Despite being quite late, they still insisted in having a good 15 minutes to prepare first, which made it even more unlikely that I would get to Sutton on time. I insisted that half time be cut short and the game commenced. Whilst remaining fully neutral in every game, often subconsciously you select a team that you route for more than the other - although ensuring all decisions are fair - but it's nice when the team you have developed a soft spot for get the win. There are many reasons why you would route for one over the other, such as one being the underdog, or if one set of managers are particularly annoying or rude you hope they get their come-uppance. On this occasion, due to Rainworth's lateness and abruptness in demanding time at the start, I'd hoped Southwell would put one over them!

I didn't have to wait long for them to be down as Southwell appeared much stronger than Rainworth and comfortably led 6-0 at the break. Still, despite my concern for the time both teams had the full half time allowance so my worries increased further. Southwell made it 7 shortly after the break and I began to look out for a white towel being thrown onto the pitch! Despite me hoping for a Southwell win, at the end of the day these were still just 7 or 8 year old lads and didn't deserve to be at the back end of a big defeat but they pressed and near the end of the game managed to pull one back much to the delight at both sets of supporters.

When the game drew to a close, I quickly picked up my earnings and set off for Sutton. Arriving at the ground pretty much at the kick off time I was quite delighted to hear that the home side were awaiting a player and hoped for a bit of time to wait for him. This gave me time to get ready, speak to the captains and get the toss sorted ready for kick off when the player arrived.

As it turned out, we waited about 20 minutes and he'd still not arrived so I insisted we get started. Drezden, the home side took to the pitch with just 10 players but had heard that their key man was on his way. They had to play on the counter with a man down but took the lead half way through the half, literally minutes before their man arrived.

Being a new official there will be plenty of occasions where I am unsure what the rules officially allow and this was one of those times. Drezden having played the majority of the first half with ten men now had a new player arrive, was he allowed to come straight on or was he only able to be a sub? Anyhow, both managers accepted that he was to come and be the 11th man so he took his position for the remainder of the first half.

Having taken the lead with ten men, I expected Drezden to take control now they were at full strength, especially as they'd made a point of saying the missing man was on his way back from a representative match, so was obviously of good standard, but it was Robin Hood who took the initiative in the second half and not only were they level soon enough, they took the lead about half way through the half.

Both sides created chances and it was another easy game for me to officiate with little incident. Despite plenty of Drezden pressure late on, including a cross that the wind caught hold of and floated it over the keeper and along the goal line, Robin Hood managed to hold on for the win.