Game 58

Another game and another with a lot riding on it ... 1st vs 3rd in my Supply League's Premier Division and two teams who have provided some real highs and lows of football over the last few years - an interesting night ahead.

Some background first though ... yesterday while driving my young school to my mum's where he spends Tuesdays and Thursdays, I was driving past Jcn 45 on the M1 when the cambelt on my "Beast" snapped and did untold damage to my engine as well as stranding me by the motorway. After the recovery, the driver took my son on to my mum's, the car to a garage close to my home and then dropped me in a nearby town to catch a taxi to work.

All good so far but then I had a criss crossing journey to get my son to nursery, my wife to work and me to work. The return picking him up, collecting my wife from work and then dropping at tonight's game left me with little time to prepare. Martin and Craig were already there and but not changed. On getting changed Martin mentioned his calf strain which he felt was ok and we were ready for the game but without a warm-up which made me nervous.

We kicked off and there seemed to be little cutting edge being demonstrated by either team. Then disaster struck ... not me this time, but Martin and he had to be replaced by Craig who did a fine job. The away team opened the scoring 8 minutes before half time and doubled it 8 minutes after the break. They seemed to be coasting to a victory until a breakaway by the home team.

I was following play through to the penalty area and watched in disbelief as the defender clambered all over the attacker, committing a foul for me - but some 50 yards across field from my position. As I raised my flag, Craig, who I couldn't see because of bright, low-level sunshine, blew the long blast on the whistle. This all happened in a split second and as I signalled a kick from the penalty mark, Craig ran into the area and pointed at the mark.

The resulting goal rattled the away team and they conceded a second goal. For a few minutes they looked like they might concede a third, but gradually they got control and the game petered out to a 2-2 draw. Craig had a fantastic game, certainly showing that he has little to fear when he inevitably moves up to the next level of refereeing, despite having to issue some cautions as indiscipline crept into both sides.

Nevertheless, it was a good night for all, except Martin who might have to rest for a couple of weeks. Calories 1278, average hr 78% max hr 92%.