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!

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!

3 Games = Knackered!!

I was initially down for a couple of games in Glapwell this weekend but heard at the start of the week due to changes in fixtures after the recent bad weather, that I would now be doing two games back to back locally for Market Warsop, both at under 15's as they have 2 sides. A couple of days later I was asked if I could also take Welbeck under 17's after this, which for some reason I accepted. Don't get me wrong, I really need the money as the wedding gets closer but the under 15's games were 40 minutes each half, so the 3 matches would total 250 minutes of football - over 4 hours!! I did let Welbeck know that I may arrive later than their initial 1:30pm kick off as the second match wouldn't finish until about then but they were fine to start with one of the linesman as referee until I get there.

The first match went well - as far as I were concerned. Both sides were familiar as it was the second time I had taken each side. Market Warsop Windmills were a relatively poor side languishing near the foot of division 3 but they had a couple of decent lads, whilst Rolls Royce could play a bit but still weren't taking the bottom tier by storm. Warsop started the brightest and got a few early shots off but Rolls scored with their first chance, an own goal by a Warsop defender and shortly after I had to give a penalty as Rolls' tricky forward knocked the ball past a Warsop defender only for it to catch his hand in full. It was harsh as it was hard to avoid it but it was a penalty. Not many appealed it, before it was taken and scored.

Warsop got back into the game before another own goal on the stroke of half time meant Rolls went in 3-1 up. With the game threatening to stretch beyond Warsop, tempers got a little frayed and a late challenge created a little havoc as players pushed and shoved and I had to book one from each side before the game restarted. Warsop pulled one back in the second half through a penalty for a high foot, but Rolls were too strong and eventually won the game 5-2.

The second game started soon after and again Warsop were the side that started the brightest but were 1-0 down just 2 minutes in. This was also the second time I had taken charge of this Warsop side, the first being a 5-0 win over Manor 4th and I knew they had a very good side, but their opposition, Winthorpe & Coddington were a team full of very good players and soon started to take hold of the game, going 2-0 up midway through the half. Late in the half Warsop pulled one back when their striker went round the keeper and slotted into an empty goal. Embarrasingly I blew for half time after 35 minutes only to be reminded that U15's play 40 minutes each half. Funnily enough, both halves of the previous match were only 35 minutes and had gone totally unnoticed!

The final 5 minutes of the half were played without incident before both sides returned for the second half. Warsop were much better in the second half, creating many chances and levelling through a well taken goal by a very skilfull, young player who saw a lot of the ball and was unlucky to not contribute more to the game, though at times his distribution could have been better. It looked likely that Warsop would go on to win the game but Coddington still had a threat to their play and had really only let Warsop back in as they let their foot off the gas 2-0 up. They did return to the lead with about 15 minutes to go and then spent the remainder of the match timewasting, much to Warsop's disgust. I kept a keen eye on the time and ensured the full allocation was allowed to be played so their efforts were fruitless other than frustrating the opposition. As Warsop pressed for the leveller, their defence got a little sloppy and Coddington were allowed to attack on the counter and with about 5 minutes to go they were in the box when a player tried to swing the ball across the box only to be clattered recklessly by a Warsop defender. He did well to stay on his feet but I called the penalty which sent Warsop irate. They had nothing to complain about though as the tackle was poor. However, the penalty was missed and so they had the rest of the game to find the equaliser but it didn't come.

At the end of the game, the linesman representing Warsop threw his flag at me and had a right go at my performance but some people clearly don't handle losing very well. His tirade continued all the way back to the changing room but I don't really have a clue what more I could have done, plenty of time was added on to counter all of Winthorpe's timewasting and the penalty was missed, though even had it been scored it was a good decision. I'd even taken a shot full in the kidneys in the second half as a shot from distance came straight at me and I could do nothing to avoid it. It wasn't poor positioning on my part, I'm as much a part of the play as the players themselves and they could see where I was stood, it could have been avoided but they probably prefered to have hit me anyway than got a shot on goal!

I managed to get away at 1:45pm, the time I'd managed to talk Welbeck into kicking off to give me time to get there but due to the misjudgement of length of matches at U15, I wasn't going to get there anywhere near on time. In the end I was 15 minutes late but instead of changing the referee at this stage I just took over from one of the unofficial linesman. The game was already 1-0 to Skegby but it looked evident early on that Welbeck were a much better side. They equalised through a clear penalty about 5 minutes after I arrived, though at one point I didn't think the referee was going to give it, and then I had to laugh at his position as the kick was taken, he was about 20 yards outside the box when he blew his whistle!

During the first half, a few things looked odd from the referee's performance and I questioned whether he was actually a qualified official - ha, I'm in my first season and I'm already judging my fellow referee's!!. I had little to do in the first half other than one or two offside decisions. Skegby went 2-1 up before half time though the Welbeck keeper should have done better.

I met the referee in the centre at half time where he mentioned he was a returning referee after a few years out of the game and asked me if I wanted to take over the second half. I left it to him to decide if he wanted to continue, half wanting to take over for the money, but the other half thinking it would be weird for the players to change now and also I was getting a little leggy after the first games.

Whilst the referee's positioning wasn't great, nor some of the decisions he made, the way that he handled the discipline of the players was excellent as he was clearly confident when speaking to them and thought nothing of pulling them to one side for a word. He looked quite a young lad too and so I observed this more in the second half when he spoke to players 5 or 6 times. This is something I feel I greatly need to improve on if I am to progress through the levels as I struggle to find the words clearly in time even if the offence was obvious.

Welbeck dominated the second half and really should have won the game by 4 or 5 goals but they fired a lot of clear chances staright down the keeper's throat, and they were fortunate that I had a good view of an offence in their box early in the second half. Welbeck had already equalised when a Skegby striker latched onto a long ball. He powered towards the box and forced a lunging tackle from a Welbeck defender, however it wasn't late or reckless and the Skegby player had avoided it before going down theatrically. The referee awarded a penaly which the Welbeck players debated and so he came to me for my opinion. I immidiately assured him that it wasn't a penalty and so he reversed the decision and played on from the keeper. This slightly annoyed a Skegby striker who had already been forced to apologise to me after swearing from an offside decision I gave earlier, though he accepted my explanation of the decision pretty quickly.

Welbeck took the lead through a glorius lob from distance with about 15 minutes to go and then created a further 5 or 6 if not more chances that should have been converted, and so like the home fans behind me, you always felt that Skegby were going to nick a late equaliser, but it never came.

It was a good day and I enjoyed a little more experience as a linesman, which I need to ensure I keep doing to enable me to make a positive impression should I ever be observed or assessed. Sometimes I feel I don't have the natural assets to make a good referee where I really want to see how far I can make it but the linesman route may also offer just as many opportunities. We'll see in a few years time!

Bad day at the office

When taking my referee assessment last summer, we were encouraged / led to believe / brainwashed(!) that referee's are always right! We're not there to please others and no matter how we approach a game and no matter how we perform, we're never going to please everyone. So don't try! Often I go into games and hope I can banter with players and managers, and whilst it may look like it works at the start of a game, make one decision they don't like and you'll soon lose them!

So, whenever someone isn't happy at a decision or my performance in a game, I always tell myself that every decision is right and that every game has gone well. If a player or manager isn't happy with me, it's usually a case of them not having performed well as a team so I don't take it personally, I'm happy to take the flack if it makes them feel better to direct it at me. I'm old enough and ugly enough to not let it bother me.

But today, I do have to hold my hand up and say I probably had a bad couple of games. It will happen and the sooner I recover from it the better. No point dwelling on it, I can't change anything now and in fairness, despite me not being at my best, I don't think it's had a great difference to either game.

I started with a familiar venue, Meden School Fields, where I spent so much of my early youth and had already visited 3 times this season to take Peggy's (Gary Edwards') Welbeck Welfare U14's against Teversal U14. I was looking forward to this one as the other 3 games for Welbeck had seen a shedload of goals and I assumed this would be no different. I hadn't anticipated that there were other teams in this division that were capable of matching them, and today they were facing one of them.

At this point, I have to thank Gary for having no problem swapping his kick off to 10am from 10:30, which allowed me to honour my 12pm kick off at Arnold Town, otherwise I would be down to one game for the second week running.

The game was a tight affair with both sides cancelling each other out and chances were few and far between. Welbeck thought they'd broke the deadlock late in the first half when their strikers combined to work around the Teversal defence but the final ball played one of them offside, though the flag went up late and he had put the ball in the net before I could bring it back.

The same 2 combined in the second half to put them 1-0 up and it was a deserved lead after working hard to break down the resilient Teversal defence, but this Welbeck side though contains a lot of attacking talent, they lack something considerably at the back, and within 2 minutes of taking the lead, they were pegged level again.

Either side had chances to win it and it took a moment of controversy to do so. The Teversal linesman had become a little flag-happy as the game drew to a close, itching to put his flag up for any close offside and ruling every throw in in their favour so I was having to be at my sharpish to ensure the decisions he was making were correct. With 2 minutes to go, a Welbeck midfielder picked the ball up in acres of space and brought it forward. As he reached the half way line, the quick Welbeck striker was waiting on a throughball that would set him away, although he was marked closely by 2 defenders, he would have no problem outpacing them on the way to goal. The pass didn;t come right away though so he was having to check his run and I too was keeping a close eye on his position. When the ball did come, the striker was level with both defenders but the flag went straight up. I overuled it and let play continue and so when the ball was put in the net, their was great furore as the linesman and the Teversal players remenstrated with me. I cleared up why I had let play continue and although they weren't happy, they had to accept my decision.

Two minutes later and I sounded the whistle for full time. I knew I hadn't had a great game as there were some tough tackles that I let go when maybe I should have acted stronger, and I booked a Teversal player for challenging the keeper although the ball was there to be won. I believe he was a little reckless as he stretched for the ball and caught the keeper but I was probably a little harsh cautioning him for what was his first offence and felt I probably did so to make a point to his teammates that were pushing for a yellow with some slightly aggresive play.

At the end of the match the Teversal manager enquired about the goal but before he could get out what he wanted to say, I ran through my sequence of the events with the final goal and he seamed to accept it, shook my hand and left. If only everyone was the same though as the young lad that I'd booked, his mum came to rant at me for a while after but I was having none of it and left her to it after hearing what she had to say.

The second game was at Arnold Town for what was a cup game - though I wasn;t aware of that until after as I was originally down for a league game between Arnold Town Blue and Market Warsop, but they ended up playing Selston in a re-arranged cup game and I was not made aware of this. It didnt matter though as Selston ran out 6-1 winners and once more I felt that I hadn't had the greatest of games.

I'd spent the few days prior to today recovering from a throat infection and had had a couple of days off work under strong medication so maybe this had had an adverse affect on my performance. As I mentioned above, it's not something I believe will be a regular occurence so I won't dwell on it, I believe it's my first off day of the season even if other teams may disagree.

It started well enough with Arnold actrually taking the lead through a sliced clearance by a Selston defender that looped over his own keeper, and 2 minutes later I awarded the most clear penalty I'll ever get to give as a striker holding the ball up in the box had his legs swept from under him. There weren't any protests against the penalty and it was that clear there weren't even any appeals for it.

The game ran well and fair but I failed to call a few decisions for both sides, mainly when a couple of players challenge for an aerial ball, there were a few pushes in the back that others would probably have given. The way I see this though is if both go up together, with eyes only for the ball, there is bound to be contact as bodies clash together in the air but I need to spot more whether either of them go in too harshly, sometimes at an angle, with an arm or knee raised so when their is an aerial collision, it may be unfair.

Selston had started to run away with the game, putting the result to bed quickly in the second half, but there were still a few protests I let go. I called what I did see so maybe I am being a little harsh on myself as there will always be protests, there just seemed to be a little more than usual in this game. Neither manager was critical of me though and even when they themselves protested, they never followed it up with anything more than just a quick ask for a decision.

There were a few odd ones early on all by the same player. 3 backpass shouts all against him in a matter of minutes but none were actually backpasses. The first went relatively unnoticed as the ball dropped out the air. The defender and striker went up together for a header but both missed it and it fell onto the defenders toe which sent it into the arms of his own keeper. A Selston striker had a look at me as if I had to call it but I just shook my head. 2 minutes later and the same defender put a tackle in on a Selston winger, stretching for the ball and catching it full but again sending it back to his keeper who picked it up. This time there were 2 or 3 shouts for it but he hadn' purposely sent the ball to the keeper, he was making a tackle. The third did make me consider calling it though as he tried to cut out a thrown in by swinging his foot at it. It was more of a clearance than a pass but once again it went to the keeper who collected it in his arms, to which this time the Selston manager asked me to give it, especially as I was considering it myself and had out the whistle to my mouth, but as I gave myself a couple of seconds to reflect, I opted not to give it, to which the Selston manager asked me to 'blow if I was going to blow'. To this I just said that I'd thought about it but it wasn;t a clear backpass and this came with a great level of acceptance all round and was soon forgotten.

Halfway through the second half and I had begun to tire a little after a lack of action in recent weeks and was irratated by a lose stone in my boot so my focus wasn't fully on the game and again I let a couple of decisions slide that I may usually have called. I also felt that my positioning wasn't great near the end as I tired and I got caught up a little in the way. Firstly I blocked a short corner as I tried to move out the way to provide an angle for a pass not realising that there already was one and I was actually shortening it, rather than creating one. Then a sliced clearance was sent my way which I managed at the last second to hurdle opnly to turn around and have it returned straight back at me! There was no avoiding it this time and through a lack of thought and embarressment of being struck, I nearly retaliated by sending the ball in the way that it would've gone had I not been in the way but at the last minute stopped myself!

Whilst I felt I was missing a little in the game, nothing was very clear or heavily contested and with the score running clearly in Selston's favour it didn't have any adverse affect on the game but then at one point I denied Selston a clear penalty. It came right after failing to stop the play when an Arnold player was bracing for a header and was clattered into from behind, though at first it looked like he'd gone down a little softly but as the ball ran clear, I knew I should've brought it back. Only seconds later from this, the Selston striker had forced his way into the box and had the full attention of an Arnold defender on his back and he went down under a lean but knowing if I gave this then Arnold wouldn't be happy at the build up that I'd not given, so I just waved him up and said he'd gone down a little easily himself.

I was glad when the game was over so I could get some rest for the day and reflect on what I need to improve on in future, which includes pre-match preperation as I'd had no breakfast breforehand and so my energy levels weren't up to scratch. Nevertheless, whilst feeling that I wasn't at the top of my game I'd enjoyed both matches and not come under any heavy criticism other than the contenscious goal in the earlier match.

The last note of the day has to go to Selston's number 7 who, whilst the focus of most referee's actions has to go towards the disciplining of players, it's nice to be able to praise the actions of one. The game was set at 2-1 to Selston so there was everything to play for and he broke into the box avoiding a couple of challenges, when one Arnold player looked to have caught him with an outstretched leg. I awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box as it looked like he'd been caught just outside but fallen into it but from his reaction, it was clear he'd avoided the tackle and caught his own feet causing him to fall. As a referee, it's difficult to catch this sort of incident as you see the defender make the tackle, hear the contact and see the fall so by peicing it all together in a split second you feel you're making the right decision, but it was incredibly sporting for the Selston player to admit I had it wrong, so I got him to pass a dropped ball back to the Arnold keeper and it was nice to continue the game after such a positive note.

Mole Attack!

Had a peculiar start to this weekends action as the first match (Welbeck Welfare v Mansfield Athletic, U14) had to be delayed by 30 minutes whilst we filled in a huge channel of divots created by moles! Thought for one minute that I might have to call the game off because of them but we managed to fill them in and get started.

This was the 3rd time this season I'd officiated for WWU14's and they definately give their supporters value for money! Following on from last week's 5-1 win and previously the 11-2 win in my first game for them, this time they cruised to a 14-0 victory! I didn't have a great deal to do (once the game had actually started!), no big decisions to make, cards stayed in my pocket, though 2 clear penalties were awarded, 1 for each team - though you only need to see the score to see how each side faired with theirs!

As the game got started at 11am instead of 10:30, I couldn't fulfil my duties for my second game so had to call the referee's secretary to sort it. He swapped his afternoon game with mine, so I travelled to Arnold Town to do their U18 side take on a decent West Bridgeford outfit.

That game had a bit of a funny start too as it was originally pencilled in for a 2:30pm kick off, but as they shared the pitch with other teams, an earlier game was called off so they could start sooner. Both teams had obviously made an effort to round up their players and get their as soon as possible, like me, we all got there at about 1:45, ready for a 2pm start. Somehow though, another side had squeezed themselves onto the pitch so we had to wait another 40 minutes and didn't get started until 2:40pm. Now it was a race against time with the sun quickly disappearing! Would we get a 90 minute match played?

It wasn't a bad game to officiate, only made more difficult by one Arnold lad who became overly frustrated with every decision that went against him. West Bridgeford were a well organised side, who kept their appeals to a minimum and deservedly took a 2-0 lead into the break. Within 30 seconds of the restart though, my 3rd clear penalty of the day pulled it back to 2-1 and Arnold threw plenty forward. It wasn;t until the last 10 minutes that Bridgeford sealed the game with 2 quick goals and as the light disappeared fast, I was left with a decision whether to end the game now or try and get through the last 6 minutes in the very little light that was left. It was difficult for me to be able to see things clearly and with Arnold getting a little rough I didn't want things to get out of hand. I called in the two captains and asked if they wanted to continue and if so, to support me as best as they could. In the end, the 6 or so minutes came pretty quickly and without incident the game ended 4-1.

Two good games

Quite an easy day for me today as I started with an early morning local game for Welbeck Welfare U14 against Ravenshead Reds. This was the second time I had been in charge of Welbeck U14's, and knowing the manager there, it's always good to catch up. Ravenshead had lost their last game 19-0 so probably surprised a few people when they took an early lead! It didn't last long though as Welbeck ran out 5-1 winners.

The second game actually took place on the home ground of my own Sunday team, so was one of few grounds in the county I'll have no trouble finding! It was another good game, Rolls Royce Leisure against Woodhouse Colts at U16. There was a slight delay when I got there as both sides had turned up in yellow strips so the home manager had to shoot off for their away kit.

The game went from end to end but it still took right up to the last 10 minutes for the first goal to go in, with Rolls Royce scoring it. However, Woodhouse equalised 5 minutes later for a deserved 1-1. Not much to do myself other than issue 1 caution against a Woodhouse player for 2 late tackles.

Insanity

A couple of weeks ago I turned down the chance to line at a match in Nottingham meaning I had a free afternoon for the first time in a while, in which I spent watching Mansfield Town as well as getting a bit of shopping down. Looking back, I would rather have earnt money no matter how little, than spending what I needed for the wedding, so when given the chance of being an assistant instead of having a free day, I snapped up the game.

The match was an under 17's tie between neighbours Bilsthorpe Welfare and Welbeck Welfare and it would be one to remember. It was played at Garibaldi school, which as it turned out to be both sides home ground as the managers came from near-by Clipstone so brought the teams out of their respective villages to here.

We had a long, cold wait in the rain for the game prior to it to start before we took our positions and the game got underway. The referee was an experienced, ageing chap, whilst the other linesman was a very young lad who looked fairly new to officiating.

The first half went ok, Welbeck took a 2-0 lead into the break and the only concern for me was that there were one or two exchanges between a Welbeck full-back and a Bilsthorpe winger that went unchallenged by the referee and threatened to boil over, but what was to happen in the second half was totally unpredictable.

Bilsthorpe came out strong and pulled a goal back within 5 minutes of the restart, before pulling level a further 5 minutes later. They now looked favourites to take the game but 5 minutes later the game turned nasty. It started with an unpunished challenge on a Bilsthorpe player when he'd taken the ball cleanly from a Welbeck striker who then careered over the top of him when it looked easier to step around him. This infuriated the defender so the next chance he got to put a challenge on the culprit he did so, and strongly. I was at the other end of the pitch but had a clear view of the tackle and could see that no attempt to play the ball was made. However, it was right in front of the young linesman who called for a corner as he'd only followed the path of the ball, whilst the referee having the comfort of 2 qualified assistants, chose to officiate the game from as close to the centre spot as possible, so was fully 30 yards away from the incident. With the assistant having called for a corner, the Welbeck players were incensed at the tackle and surrounded the young lad, but the referee had signalled foul and went to speak with the linesman. The young lad had said that he'd called a corner but the referee assured him that it was a foul and needed to know whether it was inside or outside the box. A penalty was awarded, which then infuriated Bilsthorpe and after a slight melee, with the keeper having to be threatened with a caution before taking his place on the line. The penalty was scored and so Welbeck returned into the lead, 3-2.

From the resulting centre kick, Bilsthorpe now had no intention of playing a clean game and instead of passing the ball about and looking to mount an offence, they passed the ball to the nearest opponent so that they could put in as heavy a challenge as possible. Welbeck were wise to this tactic so with regaining the possession, they avoided the first 2 or 3 lunged tackles - which again appallingly went unpunished by the referee, despite no contact being made, he should have pulled it back and had words with the players. Welbeck were incensed with the tackles that were being put on them so when they next lost the ball, they took it upon themselves to dish out some justice and a 2-footed reckless tackle was put in on a Bilsthorpe winger which led to a huge 22-man brawl. I was shocked to see the resulting battle, you'd expect a fair bit of pushing in this situation and at worst a punch or two thrown but in this scrap there were rugby tackles, kicks, lunges, punches, you name it. The referee finally managed to get control, with the help of the managers who pulled their players apart and now it was down to the referee to deal with the aggressors. He immediately sent off the Welbeck player making the initial tackle before returning his cards to his pocket and looking like that was enough. I had been keeping an eye out for any assaults so that I could help the referee remove them and so when it looked like no further action was to be taken, I approached the referee and asked him what else he was going to do. It was obvious that he didn;t know what to do and asked for my opinion so I pointed out a further 3 players who must without question be sent off, 1 for a punch, 1 for a rugby tackle and punches, and another for chasing the tackler around the pitch before dragging him to the floor and kicking him.

The referee pulled the first player over and sent him off and began to look for the other two when suddenly a further distraction got everyone's attention as a number of Bilsthorpe players ran over to their keeper to prevent him from harming anyone as he had left the field only to return waving an old metal school chair at the Welbeck players encouraging them to 'come on then!'

Their was no choice for the referee as he blew the full time whistle and abandoned the game at the 60 minute mark. It was now down to the league to deal with and he made a quick exit. I wasn't in too much of a rush and didn't feel endangered myself, which you wouldn't've blamed me after the incident but I got to speak with both managers and explain the situation and what would happen next. I was asked for my support in written reports to the FA and I told them I would put one in myself. I think both teams wanted me to bail them out of trouble at the expense of the referee who had handled it poorly, but whilst I agree the game could have been managed a lot better, both sides had to take responsibility for their actions.

I was asked for my report which I put in and I have yet to hear what has resulted from it. The game got put in at 3-2 to Welbeck but the result has not stood. I just hope I'm not in charge of the next time they meet! Whilst I wasn't particularly pleased at being involved in my first abandoned match and brawl, I was delighted with the way I had conducted myself and helped the referee.

Formality?

Just the one game today at local side Welbeck Welfare in neighbouring village Warsop for an U14 division 2 game against Skegby Colts. One of the good things about getting into refereeing in the local leagues is when you get to take charge of teams for managers or with players that you know, and the Welbeck manager of this age group was a guy I knew well from my time with the club, so it was good to chat with him prior to the game. He informed me that this was probably going to be a tough game as both sides were battling it out at the right end of the table, but he was confident he was going to 'edge it'.

As it turned out, Welbeck ran out 11-2 winners despite conceding an early goal to their opponents. It was a great game that left me with very little to do other than keep count! Welbeck clearly had a very talented side and I was pleased at the end to be asked for my man of the match. I awarded it to the obvious choice, which was the managers son and team captain, who had scored about 5 of the goals and had had a big hand in most of the others, leading by example.

I should have followed this game with an U17 game for Welbeck against Sherwood United at Clipstone but earlier in the week I was asked if I'd prefer a different game but was never actually given one!

Pull yer socks up!

After a few weeks of travelling the county and beyond, thankfully the two games today were right on the doorstep. The first being on the Carrs playing fields in Warsop for an U16 game between Warsop Plough and Walesby, before heading up to the Elkesley Road pitch literally a few hundred yards from my own doorstep to do Welbeck's U15's against Southwell United.

Both games ran smoothly, with plenty of goalmouth action. In the first game Warsop started the strongest but somehow found themselves 2-0 down midway through the first half. They pulled one back before half time before levelling shortly after. It then looked as though they were going to run away with it but then Walesby regained the lead. However, Warsop's quality eventually shone through and they won the game late on 4-3.

A couple of key points in this game was that firstly, I turned down 2 handball appeals against Walesby, which they felt heavily aggreived about. The first one I didn't spot as there were a number of bodies in the way but then shortly after, from a cross on the left hand side, it hit an arm that was a little outstretched and my first reaction was that it was ball to hand as the defender was only a matter of yards from where the cross was delivered but thinking back, they've been given for less and due to the slightly unorthodox positioning of the hand, a penalty was probably the right decision.

Secondly, I was very close to booking a Walesby midfielder for not covering his shinpads properly with his socks. I felt as though I was being a little pinickety on the player but one of the many things I learned on the referee's course was that it was crucial shinpads are covered as they can cause injury to others if they become damaged in a tackle. I first told the player to cover his shinpads by pulling up his socks but a couple of minutes later they were down again. I then told him to put some tape on them so he left the pitch to do so but returned without my instruction and without the tape - probably booking in itself, so I firmly warned him that unless he found some tape to cover his pads then he would be booked. I didn't need to speak to him again after this.

The second game again saw the away side take the lead, on this occasion Southwell United, before Welbeck raced to a 4-1 lead. Southwell pulled one back late on but they were well and truely beat in a game of very little incident.

Funnily enough following this game I received a call from the referee secretary informing me of changes to forthcoming weekends, when he said that I'd had a good game today as apparently I was being observed in one of the matches. I didn't know which but got it out of him that it was in the latter at Welbeck. I was given just one peice of advice from him that he'd been told, and that was for me to pull my socks up!! I had worn a pair that had no elastic so one kept slipping low down - I don't know why only one, I must have one leg much thinner than the other, but considering events from the first game of the day, I thought this was highly amusing!!