A couple of weeks ago I was on the line in a Conf North game. The fixture was the team in 5th at the time against the team in 1st. I had one offside and flagged for two free kicks. However somehow I got a rather good assesment mark. Nothing stood out, but nothing was wrong either. As a team that day we worked really well together and worked hard to make sure the game went with no issues.
9 Nov
Catch Up
Things have been so busy over the last weeks, this hasnt really been a thought. Due to some unplanned absence at work its been a bit of a nightmare. So over the next few days ill catch you up on the games that Ive had and the incidents that have taken place.
19 Oct
Beach Ball Goal
It’s easy watching MOTD on a Sunday morning, viewing an incident when you know the outcome to pass judgment on the Referee. Unfortunately this week Mr Jones is the man being judged. The law is clear when it comes to outside interference and that play should be restarted with a drop ball and a goal should not have been allowed. On the high angle TV view it does look quite clear, but when you see it from behind the player and the referee’s view it’s not quiet as clear first time around.
It’s clear that in law he got it wrong. However Im finding it disappointing that all the ex referee’s are coming out the wood work to slam him. When you watch the clip from his angle, tell me honestly that you can be 100% first time that the match ball came off the beach ball. First viewing it looks like the liverpool player kicks that ball. Im not saying they should come out and defend him, but it’s not quite a ball over the line scenario.
19 Oct
Assistance
Assistant -1. a person who assists or gives aid and support; helper.
I am lucky, when I referee on my supply league I have two Neutral Assistant Referee’s. These two guys will be honest in what they do and wont cause me problems like the Club Assistant Referee’s you get on a Sunday morning. Well thats the theory.
Nine and a half times out of ten they will be spot on and listen to what you ask them to do. Not try and take over and cause you a problem. However they will and when it goes wrong it really can go wrong. Ive had to examples this season of both ends of the spectrum.
Scenario 1. Push around the edge of the area, im 99% sure that the offence is in the penalty area. However I need confirmation, I have blown and whilst blowing look at my assistant. He has seen me looking for confirmation and gives me a quick flag across the chest and I now know it is inside the box. This was a great flag that was quick told me what I needed to know, and by the time the players had looked the flag had gone. If he had gone high profile and waved the flag retaining it the focus would have been on him and the decision likely challenged.
scenario 2. Defender and attacker are running towards goal, there is a bit of a tussle the ball is cleared and I move with closing the incident down. I hear a shout to look at my assistant. I assume I have missed a offside look across and he is flagging for an attacking free kick, around 30 yards from goal. I go across and he tells me the defender has pulled the attacker back. Now consider that this is central and 30 yards from goal, I am 15 yards away at most and so this is a big call from him. I ask is he sure, he says yes. I say so it must be last man then, no because X will get around (really?). So now im in the position do I take the free kick or restart play (how?). As attention has been brought on to this we have the free kick as it’s going to be hard to move away from this (probably wrong and one im not comfortable with now.
It’s difficult as a Referee if you have never worked with the assistants before. You have 60 to 90 minutes to form a bond with two people you may never have met before, you need to trust one another and work together. However this at times isnt helped by the attitudes of the officials (and I am not saying its the assistant’s fault here, ive experienced it where the Referee can be the jerk) who want to run the game and generally take over. I have also been on contrib games where I have seen experienced assistants try to take over a game, so this isnt just at supply level.
Last week on the constantly improving refworld site there was the 2nd part of how the National List officials are assessed. It’s worth a read
15 Oct
Pulled Thigh
I had a contrib line on Tuesday night in a league cup game. First half went well with no issues, and the score’s level at 1-1. unfortunately a couple of minutes in I went to sprint down the touch-line and my left thigh tightened up. I tried to loosen it off but if there was a good sprint I was losing pace on the players by a yard. I managed to complete the game by anticipating play and stretching it during non active times. Lucky for me we didnt go into extra time as the home team won 2-1.
I did consider calling the Referee across and telling him I was in trouble. however decided unless it got to the point that It was either going to be a real issue or I couldnt carry on not to concern him as this would have given him something to consider during the game.
Yesterday my thigh was sore and I was also getting pain in my groin, hip and lower back so I had clearly upset something. However todays it’s just a bit tight. I dont have a game this weekend as I am working and have nothing until next Tuesday, which isnt a supply or contrib game so I may drop that yet. Will see how it goes.
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