Game 62

Having started work at 6 a.m., I had already had a long day by the time I arrived at this fixture for the 6:30 p.m. kick off. I had refereed both teams previously and knew reasonably well what to expect but, as with yesterday's game, I still managed to have a few surprises along the way.

I spoke to the captains before kick off about the duration of the game, explaining that we'd just managed 45 minutes each way with a 6:15 start the previous evening and I suggested 40 minutes each way. They agreed with me and we kicked off right on time.

The game was close in the first half with both teams having plenty of chances but either not taking advantage of them or finding a last ditch save/clearance denying them their goal. The first goal arrived on 21 minutes for the home team. A home substitute responded to my request to step off the field of play with barbed comment about a decision a few minutes earlier. He earned the game's first caution and more of him later ...

Just before half time a home player jumped into a tackle and although he won the ball I adjudged that he had been reckless in his actions and gave him the game's second caution. The second half started with a bang as the away team's industrious midfielder flicked out at an opponent after he fell to the ground and he got a caution for his troubles.

The game changing event occurred in the 9th minute of the second half as a central defender for the away team was outpaced by one of two brothers playing for the home team. He tripped the player as he entered the penalty area and with only the goalkeeper between him and goal. He was dismissed and didn't protest strongly. The goal from the penalty made the score 2-0.

An inspired substitution by the home team saw the new player score with his first touch to make the score 3-0. A few minutes later, the home team had two players cautioned for the same type of jumping, reckless challenge as their team mate in the first half (who said referees aren't consistent???). Their team scored a fourth goal in the next minute and we finished at 4-0.

The substitute who received the game's first caution took this opportunity to adopt an aggressive attitude towards me when I asked to speak to him about a further derogatory comment he had made. I gave him a second caution and dismissed him from the field. I then went to my own car, changed and made my way to the home team's base for some well earned chili.

Calories 1054, max hr 89% average 76%. Four in four completed successfully and all four were good games to referee. Let's hope this run continues at the weekend when I have a relatively long trip to Keighley ...