Bank Holiday Fun
For the first time in years I had a game on August Bank Holiday. I tend to all-ways get a game on Easter Monday but never in August. I was appointed to a Leicestershire local derby in the MFA Oadby vs Barwell.
In my mind I have the perfect hour before kick off mapped out. I get there about 1hr 15 before kick off. This gives me a chance to take my time and have a chat with the assistants, club officials over a cup of tea. Get the team sheets, warm-up and get underway without rushing. Why is this this never happens. One of my assistants gets there 10 minutes late and I am then out on the pitch doing pre-match when the team sheets are meant to be handed in! Frustrates the hell out of me!
Anyway to the game itself. The first half was played in a good spirit. Oadby took the lead after just 2 minutes and I was expecting a bit of a battle as Barwell fought back, however this didnt come. I had reason to speak to a couple of players for a couple of challenges in the first half however nothing to severe more just showing concern. The only real problem came in the 30th minute when the Barwell keeper & Oadby number 9 went for the ball. The keeper got a kick on the hip and that ended his game. He couldn’t put any weight on it and this meant he had to be subbed. This took 6 minutes to sort out. Its a bit awkward really as an outfield player I could have removed and then worried about the sub later with the keeper not really.
I expected the 2nd half to be a bit different and this proved to be the case, Oadby took a 2-0 lead but Barwell gave a good go at getting something out of the game pulling a goal back. This did nearly cause a problem when the Oadby keeper held on the ball. It soon resolved itself though and I took the ball of the keeper had a chat with him then the Barwell player on the way back. I explained that I will resolve disputes like that not the players.
I had need to issue 2 cautions during the 2nd half, both to Barwell players. One for a reckless challenge on the touchline. I had blown for the foul and cautioned the player. My assistant then called me across. He told me the ball was out of play when the foul came in. So the player was cautioned, but restart was a throw in! I then had to issue a 2nd caution in injury time for a reckless challenge. There was some suggestion that the offending player then deliberately fell on the Oadby player. However its hard to say and so I settled for a caution.
I was pleased with the way the game went. It was a nice game to referee with plenty of chance to play advantage. There was a frustrating moment when a Barwell player was being held and I was set to play and advantage. He shouted for the kick and so I stopped play. Not surprisingly he broke free! He then thought he would give me some grief. I explained I was waiting for him to break free and if he hadn’t of shouted for the kick he would have been allowed to play on.
Despite my back being sore this morning still from Saturday it held out with no problems. Not sure what quite what ive done though as its aching again now. I suspect its the pitches as I had a problem this time last season. If its not better come Wednesday I may book a an appointment to get it checked out. There’s a physio near work I use when I have problems. A bit pricey but its only a match fee.
