Well Saturday was a first for me as a Supply League Referee, I got to travel with my assistants. Originally I was due to Referee at Darlaston on the West Mids, however I was moved to a rearranged game at Biddlph vs Stratford in the MFA. As my 2 assistants were lcoal we were all kept on the game and travelled over to Bidulph (its around Stoke).
Id only ever been to Bidulph once before and didn’t really remember to much about it, so was looking forward to Referee’ing somewhere abit different. The ground its self is in a nice position with the hills around it, it also has quite a good setup with a astro turf pitch behind a goal, cricket pitch and even a fish lake! We did wonder what we were going to get when we turned up and saw 3 big 52 seater coaches! However these were the Stoke supporters club that had stopped of along the way.
The game itself went without any real problems although there was a couple of interesting little situations that popped up along the way. In the first half with Stratford winning 1-0 they had a penalty claim for a trip over by my assistant, I thought the defender had got a touch on it, and my assistant agreed. One thing i wasnt sure about was it in or out anyway and at half time he confirmed it was outside. About 5 minutes later Bidulph had a claim again over by the assistant but again I was sure the keeper had a touch, checked with my assistant and he agreed.
I was disappointed with myself when I went different ways with my assistant on a corner. I wasnt 100% and thought corner, He wasnt sure as i looked at him for confirmation, then after a second he went goal kick and i went corner. Really if i wasnt sure i should have played safe and gone goal kick! A couple of players asked me why did I ask him if i wasnt going to listen to him……fair comment and a bit disappointing.
Second half started and Stratford got a 2nd goal. Bidulph were trying their hardest to get back a goal and were successful to make the score 1-2. Now sometimes trying to be clever can back fire. My assistant flagged Bidulph player offside about 20 yards in side the Stratford half. The ball went through to a defender and there was a chance to play on as the attacker had stopped, dropped back and they had plenty of space to bring it out. I turned to acknowledge him, he lowered his flag. I looked back and……..the keeper has got the ball dribbled it to the offence and puts his hand on it ready for a kick! Appeal for a handball from a couple of players but the others think ive blown the whistle. I use common sense as I “caused the problem” and if i give a free kick against them I am taking the advantage away from them, so give the free kick for offside.
While we sorting this out, two Bidulph players have treatment and need to go off. To which there are complaints that im making two defenders go off when their defending. I think Stratford felt sorry as they played the indirect free kick short so they could come straight back on.
A couple of minutes later Stratford get a 3rd with a goal similar to Van Basten in 88, the player timed his run to perfection and hit it on the volley. I then with about 5 minutes to go realised I hadnt cautioned anyone yet, fatal mistake. 88th minute Stratford sub comes in and takes the Bidulph players standing leg with a late challenge.
Overall I was fair happy with the match control, players were responding to what i was trying to do. I was a bit disappointed with my positioning, not sure why but didnt seem to be quite getting in the best views for 9on5’s. I would like to have been assessed as thats 5 games now (1 FA Cup) and only 1 assessment. I did though get a call on Friday to say I was being asses-ed at Dalaston but told them I was no longer on that game and was hopefully they may have come to Bidulph instead.
