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Legends League

Vets leaguePic of the week 25/9/16

So today our entry in the Somerset FA Legends League kicked off. Its been some time since I played a “proper” game of 11 -a-side football and when I started receiving tweets in the summer promoting veterans football in Somerset I decided to set up a team, based on Millfield, although open to the wider school community and I’m pleased to note that we kicked off with three husbands/partners, and a groundsman, so not just teaching staff.

On a warm September day we traveled to Yeovil to play Pen Mill Veterans (by a quirk of fate, I refereed their U16s the week before, v Somerton), most of us having not played for some time and position selection was based largely on stereotypical physical traits. Originally due to play right back, I shuffled across to fill a hole as a centre back couldn’t get child-care (true veterans football.)

A good game, we found ourselves 1-0 down after about 15 mins, the opposition were probably a little better than us, certainly more organised and tactically astute.  The 2nd half saw me move in a defence midfield role and I enjoyed the opportunity to break forward.

From a goal kick (Stu Whittle in goals), Adi Whatling won the aerial battle just inside the opposition half and the ball squirted across to me. Adi made a good run down the left channel and was calling for the ball. However, I had spotted another opportunity: bringing the ball under control, I pinged a 30 yard pass, just clearing the last defender, landing at the feet of the charging Ben McEwan inside the box – he had little more to do than control the ball and slot it past the keeper, which he did. One all.

But almost from the restart, the opposition regained the lead, and had a 10 minute purple patch during which time they extended their lead to 4-1.

Nonetheless, great fun, a great game, bring on Castle Cary Veterans next week!

The legends that were (re)born that day:

vets team sheet

 

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The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel


Track of the week 18/9/16

Have been watching “The Get Down” on Netflix of late, and loved it. A story of ’70s teenagers in the Bronx and the rise of Hip Hop – has some kick A music, and Grandmaster Flash.

And so this has to be the track of the week, a magnificent melange of musical mastery!

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Yellow Card!

Conduct reportPic of the week 18/9/16

Issued my first “report-able” yellow card today. Stone wall yellow, with approx 10 mins to go, stripes throw in near stripes goal. Not contentious, no one disagrees.  Ball on the deck – stationary – waiting for stripes to come over and take the throw. Red kicks the ball away, beyond the goal line. Silly & unnecessary, call the lad over, ask him what he thinks is going to happen next – says he’s not sure, tell him he’s going to get a yellow, which I then administer.  No big drama – a good one to break my duck. No need to ponder it.  Think he might have been a little surprised, probably never happened to him before; hope he’s learned his lesson and doesn’t do it again.

On the whole, was not a bad match to ref.  Standard of football was quite poor – both sides had yet to register a point, but seemed to be more about 22 lads enjoying a game on a Sunday afternoon, and you can’t fault that.

Fell my ref-ing continues to improve with experience, feel I had a good game today (definitely my refereeing was better than the football being played) and I’m really starting to enjoy it. Still much to learn, but all good. (Except haven’t been paid – yet – for this game. Home team coach was surprised when I asked for match fee.  Says it gets paid by club (Somerton FC) he will investigate for me (and I shan’t let i lie either!)

Match Stats

Somerton U16 0 Pen Mill U16 1

Under 16, Yeovil & District League Youth League, U16

1 Yellows (C4) 0 Reds

Match fee: tbc

 

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Common People – William Shatner


Track of the week 11/9/16
The best cover. Ever.

A brilliant track, brilliantly (and slightly bonkersly) covered by Star Trek’s William Shatner. And then some genius goes and adds it to a mash up of Star Trek footage. Superb.

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Back To School

Back to school (1024x1024)Pic of the week 11/9/16

So (sadly!) this week we all returned to school – Sophie to start in the Sixth Form(!) and Sam into Y10, both at The Blue School (and me back to Millfield) – and time for the obligatory start of the year pic.

Sam has become a giant, towering over his big sister, must to his delight, and her chagrin. (He still hasn’t quite reached my height yet, much to my delight, and his chagrin.)

The pic below shows the transformation over the last four years.  Frightening!

back to school 2 (722x721)

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Summer Hols July & Aug 16

So, sadly, the summer hols draw to a close. Its been a great summer holiday, I’ve really enjoyed it despite not going away.

Some of my highlights, in roughly chronological order:

  • Did my referees course, and ref’ed 4 games
  • Saw Take That in Hyde Park with Becky
  • Sam & I survived a week at home alone as Becky & Sophie traveled to Sorento.
  • Fixed the boiler (dodgy microswitch not “making”. A simple cardboard insert between striker & switch fixed the problem)
  • Watched “Game of Thrones” Season Six
  • Swam 1480 lengths – 49.33 km – including one 3Km swim
  • Graveled the back garden and side return
  • Took out stone fireplace and re-clad with tongue & groove (ready for painting)
  • Read 5 good books
  • Swam in the sea (disappointingly cold, making it a very brief dip), swam in the Penzance Lido – a bit warmer and a lot more fun.
  • Sophie got her GCSE results: 2 A*, 4 As & 4 Bs,
  • Ran 150 Km, including to runs to and up the Tor (only ran, off and on, about a third of the way up the Tor)
  • Re-watched Breaking Bad in its entirety
  • Started attending Spinning Classes
  • Lots of great family time
  • The weather – whilst not often super sunny, was pretty dry for most of the time.
  • End of hols weight circa 12 stone 12

Alas, tomorrow its back to school. ‘Til next year …

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Charlton United v Manor Athletic

charlton v manorRefereed first competitive league game today, Charlton United V Manor Athletic in Division One of the Yeovil and District League.

The game will, perhaps, best be remembered for the rain, which started at kick off and didn’t let up for the whole game.

The standard of football was much lower than the other games I have ref’d, I think that makes it easier, partly because the pace isn’t quite so quick.

Thought I refereed well in the first half, in fact thought I refereed well throughout the game, but it got tougher in the second half.  Charlton (home team in Orange) were 3 nil down at half time, but bounced back to 2-3 after about 20 mins of the second half, their first goal being a penalty for handball.  Some (inevitable) complaints, but more from the (defenders) left hand side of the box, the handball was on the right hand side. With the game now close, players getting tired and the rain relentless, the heat of the game was rising and I did have to take some affirmative action to calm things down. I wasn’t tolerating any chat, didn’t use any cards, but did use my teacher stare (on grown men with beards!) a few times to good effect. I think I kept a lid on what could have become a quite tetchy affair.  Nonetheless, I was pleased when the clock ticked through to 45 mins and I could blow the final whistle – some handbags were close to getting swung.

Felt positioning and fitness was good.  Most decisions were right and rapport with players good. Much fewer of the “unsure” decisions and limited to the last 10 mins. On the whole, I think I did well. I certainly think the standard of my refereeing was higher than the standard of the football.

As I write, three hours after the final whistle, having dried off and the criticisms fade into vague memories, I would say that I enjoyed it!

Match Stats

Charlton United 2 Manor Athletic 3

Open Age, Yeovil & District League, Division 1

0 Yellows 0 Reds

Match fee: £30