Charlton United v Manor Athletic

Refereed 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!