Injurys
Saturday took me to Southam vs Stratford in the FA Cup. This was a re-appointment however either way it still gave me my first ever FA Cup middle. What I didnt know until the day was it was Southam’s first ever FA Cup game. They had set out to make the most of the day. They had been looking to get around 300 there (fell short at around 150) and also got the Mayor in to meet the players before hand.
After we got through the formalitys we got the game underway. However the first 10 minutes were frustrating as hell. As a referee you try to set your stall out in the first 10 minutes and keep the game close to you, then allow it to flow as it goes on. Some Referee’s wont play an advantage isnide the first 10 minutes. Unfortunatly in the first 10 minutes we had 5 stoppages.
- 2 minutes had gone and a Stratford player rolled his ankle and had to be subbed.
- A minute later a Southam player is challenged banks his shoulder and has to go off a few minutes later.
- Then a few minutes after that another Statford player does his ankle and lasts no more than a few more minutes!
This led to the players getting frustrated as the game struggled to get into its stride. There was a lot of aerial challenges going on through out the game and I was trying to strike a ballance with these. I had tried to set the level early on and ending up blowing for 3 inside a minute and found then the players wanted me to “let it flow” so i backed off to give them that chance to let it flow. The problem then and really through out the 90minutes was that Stratford were happy to have the push and shove in the 9 on 5 where as Southam wanted the free kick. It made it ackward and I never really found that ballance.
After about 30 minutes I had my first caution of the game. I had spoken to a Stratford player early on in the half for a challenge on the keeper. He then went in a bit clumsey on the Southam player.
Stratford were now leading and going in to half time I had to issue a 2nd caution. A Southam player pulled back an attacker right in front of my assistant.
I was glad when halftime came around as for some reason I had nothing in my legs. I just didnt seem to have any go or energy. I wasnt sure why this was so made sure I got an energy bar at half time. Coming out for the 2nd half I felt more alert but a bit confused why I hadnt felt like that in the first half.
The second half comes and Southam are trying hard to get back into it but never really creating any clear cut chances. There was a momment of concern when the Stratford goalkeeper jumped for a cross and on his way down spun and landed on the hard ground. He was ok though but for a momment I thought the injury jinx was going to continue. I had to issue another two cautions during the 2nd half for shirt pulls, one to each side.
Unfortunatly I had to also issue a Red Card. I had given a free kick against Southam around 30 yards from goal. One of their players was giving me some dissent so I had a word and cut it out. However a player in the wall kept going on and on, Stratford took the kick and he was still carrying on. I called him over and asked his name, and then I realised he was the player I had cautioned in the first half! So 2nd caution and off he went.
I can say that was an honest decision, I had actually thought he was another player on the side and not the player I had cautioned previously. Im not saying that I wouldnt have cautioned him and sent him off however there was no pre-determined agenda and anyone who says Referee’s love sending players off is very wrong!.
In the end Stratfford ran out 2-0 winners and go on to play Hednesford in the next round.
Anyway it seems my lack of energy may have been down to something else. After the game we showerd and went in to the boardroom area. I had a drink after the game and also took on fluid in the changing rooom. Driving home I started a blinding headache, my head throbbed my eyes hurt and it was an effort to drive home. I stopped and got a bottle of lucozade to get some fluid on board. When i got home I crashed out on the sofa and had fallen asleep for 9pm. Then slept through until 7am.
For some reason i seemed to be very dehydrated and I dont really undesrtand why. It wasnt as hot as the weekend before and I had taken fluid on all morning. However from after the game until I went to Sleep I had drank in excess of 7 pints of fluid and I didnt go loo until after I woke up on Sunday morning. Im stil not sure why I got so dehydrated but I know it did me and Sunday I was exhausted and Im only just feeling better today.
