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%.

Ups and Downs

Firstly the ups ... I got a call from Fat Lad telling me he's been appointed to the County's U14 Girls Cup Final which is due to be played in late April/early May. He has DCD on his line. DCD was on my line for my only Cup Final about 5 years ago. He did a good job for me that night helping me identify a player who had committed a DOGSO by hand. I'm sure he'll do the same for Fat Lad.

I next got a txt from Titfer who told me he had been appointed as Assistant Referee on the County's U16 Semi-Final. On the other line was Shak, in the middle was my old friend Big E and the 4th man was lovely Jay. What a night out that will be for the boys. I'm chuffed to bits for all the lads but especially Fat Lad as that moves him nearer a full set of appointments to Finals - Sunday League, District Sunday, Saturday League and now a County Final.

He just needs the District Saturday for the full set. Now maybe someone else can get a look in ... just kidding big fella, you have earned every one and it's been a pleasure to see you pick up all these pots, especially as I've been your 4th man on a couple!

Now for the downs, well it's a down really. I had a business meeting across the Pennines yesterday and my travelling partner isn't the most comfortable driving along the M62, so I drove. I also decided to take my wife's car as my "planet-killer" 4x4 (as my boss calls it, despite having ordered one just as big as his replacement company car) just burns too much fuel. Even after expenses I'm usually a few quid down on a trip like that one, instead of covering fuel costs and some wear and tear.

The only problem with driving an unfamiliar car is that it takes a little while to get used to it. Mrs Baldy's car, nice as it is, is no different, with it's looser clutch, lower body (a struggle to get out off when you're used to stepping down to the ground, not up) and souped up turbo can be challenge in heavy traffic, snow and black ice. So when I got to my destination I felt a little creaky and after negotiating the stop start, clutch on-clutch off driving on the way back through the rush hour, my left leg was stiff.

When I got out of bed this morning it was even worse and on trying to stretch it out, it definitely felt like a long hamstring strain. Having lost my Sunday game when the local council closed all their fields again (a District Semi-Final line no less), I really wanted the Saturday game to be on but now I had a potential backwording injury! So it was to training tonight to see if I could run and see if I could get the leg to loosen ...

Fat Lad's Car

After the demise of his car on Saturday, the Fat Lad has another lined up, buying it from bloke at work. This one has cost him £350, which is £200 more than the last one, but is still £100 less than the costs of repairing his dead one! Let's hope this one never has to do the run to Ripon!