Game 22

Today I was making an appearance on a new league. Although this was a Supply League Assistant's role, there seems to be a difference between this and my usual Supply League.

I arrived at the ground nice and early (1h20m before ko) only to find that the referee had beaten me to it. We had a brief chat and a walk around the field and were soon joined by the other Assistant and Deefor, who was today's assessor (some of the points in his assessment received on Sunday are included below). The referee gave his pre-match instructions and these had some changes from the usual ones I hear, particularly relating to corner kicks.

After the warm-up we got out for the Respect line-up/handshake and got the game under way. The scoring was opened by the home team on their first attack and their second followed soon afterwards. I was complimented by Deefor in his post match de-brief for my non-flag on the second goal as I adjudged an attacking player to be not interfering. I asked the away team to keep their technical area under control but not enough as this was picked up on the post match de-brief as a development point.

The away team scored a very scrappy goal before half time and we trooped off for a half time break filled with orange juice and Jaffa Cakes (don't get this on my usual Supply League!). The second half saw a couple of cautions issued, one for persistent infringement and the other for challenging the goalkeeper as he tried to play the ball from his hands. The away team also picked up an equalising goal. I apparently crossed with the referee on a throw-in but thinking back, I was quick on the flag to indicate the ball had gone out of play but swapped hands underneath to indicate the direction. I also missed a foul challenge, that would have at least earned a caution.

After the game, apart from the development points I've already mentioned, Deefor said my positioning, movement and fitness up/down the touchline was very good, which shows my training has done some good. The only downside from today has been the work-out ... 1389 calories including the half time break, 87% max and a 70% average ... very low!!!