Bad Game

A major learning experience for me this evening. By far the worst game I've done. I agreed to ref this match as a favour to a team I used to play for - it meant kicking off at 6.30 and I could only leave work at 6 to get to the ground for 6.10.

What a mistake. I wasn't switched on mentally and after 20 minutes I just didn't want to be there. I know I missed loads of fouls challenges. I should have issued at least three cautions but somehow didn't feel I should as I wasn't league appointed. Also I should have given a penalty late in the game but was still flustered by an incident where I was unsure how to restart the game. The goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and I blew because I wanted to talk to him for bumping into an attacker and I just wanted him to calm down not to give a free kick but he threw the ball away. At least that didn't affect the result (the non-awarded team won 2-0).

Generally felt I lost respect of the players, full control and engagement with the game. Hugely disappointing and for 10 minutes sitting alone in the ref's changing room I just felt like giving the whole thing up but I then I started talking myself round and thinking what I should learn: I will not take another game where I don't feel I can go into it fully prepared, mentally and physically, and ready to issue whatever cautions I see.

Evening game

I did a game in Surrey Hants Border League yesterday evening. Generally I felt it was an improvement on my last game. My positioning was better, not so on top of the ball. Also felt I used the captains more effectively. The away team had a fast forward who was annoying the opposing centre backs. Just before half time there was an incident near the touch line for which I gave a free kick. After a home defender claimed the forward had spat at him. If he did, and I had seen that, it would have been straight red.

In the second half the home defenders were trying to get their retribution, diving in a bit and I asked the captain to have a word, which he did and things did calm down.

I had a controversial incident with the score at 1-0 to home team when I over ruled a club linesman flagging for offside against the away team and called out "play on, play on" as I felt I had a better view. The defenders hesitated and the attacking team scored to make it 2-0. Even though I think I made the right decision on the offside, I did not want to affect the game like that and it did make me feel a bit flat.

There were loud protests of course and soon after I blew for a free kick for the away team but they wanted to play advantage and the away manager shouted "you're ruining the game". I did not speak to him, where perhaps I should have but I did not hear from him again - guess he just calmed down. I know these comments need to be ignored, and there were plenty of positive comments too at the end.

The away team scored again from a free kick and it ended 3-0. I picked up a blister on my toe wearing studs on a very hard pitch.

The referee's alphabet

My brother introduced me to Half Man Half Biscuit and I've always loved them for classics such as "All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit" and "Reflections In A Flat" and possibly the lyric... "You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead mate" - is that just a non-sequitur or genius? I favour the latter.

I've only recently stumbled on this and it really made me smile given my recent experiences.

Games coming up...

... on Thursday night and on Saturday 2nd May. The latter features a Christian team, who's ethos speask of "spreading love through the medium of football" - let's see if they are any easier to referee.

Ray Calls For Respect

Very good article

Alyson Rudd's first match as a referee I can recognise an awful lot of what she's saying and the quotes in there, especially about the challenge. I think that is the answer to my original question "Why become a ref?", "For the challenge".

... didn't realise FA are losing 5000-7000 refs per year due to abuse.