Game 66

I am shattered ...

This one passed in a blur of heat, effort and positive feedback. The First Division team beat the Second Division team 3-0. I issued four cautions, all to the losing team. The first was for a reckless challenge almost on the stroke of half time. The second was for persistent infringement. I talked to the player on his second and third foul, so it came as no surprise to him when he collected a caution on his fourth.

The losing team captain made a crude lunge for the ball right under my nose and when his right back sarcastically clapped this decision, his was the last name in my book. In between times, I had some great offside decisions from both Assistants, even though one seemed a little off the pace at times (as well as talking to some spectators behind him).

Andy and Jamie picked me up for not running into the penalty area in the first half to make my goal kick signals more convincing and also for my body language being "headmasterly" while issuing my cautions, particularly the last two. Apart from that they thought my positioning, fitness and movement was pretty good. That surprises me as I was exhausted after 10 minutes and definitely flagging in the last 15 when I couldn't get a drink of water.

It was a hard working game, even after allowing for the assistance provided as I burned 1664 calories. Max hr 99%, average hr 89%.