And then the water came over the top of my foot ...

With all but 4 of the Sunday league's games declared off as a result of local authority intervention, I had one of the last remaining games subject to referee discretion.

Overnight rain made me think that the field of play inspection was a foregone conclusion and as I pulled up at the field, I had little hope of refereeing my second game this weekend. I noted that the field was elevated (maybe the rain had drained away) and with a slight slope (maybe, just maybe?). I parked the car and walked along the path and began the walk up the hill. The surface was soft with water squelching up under my trainers but it seemed relatively firm.

I entered the field of play at the halfway line and noted that the water was showing in the surface (not good). I walked across the field, heading towards the penalty area where I had spotted a dark patch. I saw the surface water from 10 yards and knew, with a heavy heart, that there was little prospect of play on this field today.

I hoped that we might get rid of it with a fork and decided to walk around the other parts of the field. I saw another dark patch and more surface water. I turned upfield towards the centre circle and there was more water and then on to the penalty area at the opposite end of the field.

There was another dark patch, but no surface water and as I walked towards it, the sun broke through temporarily blinding me. As I reached it, I stepped across the patch but my trainer lost grip and I stepped in it and that's when the water came over the top of my foot. I had found a deep puddle lapping around my trainer.

It was at least 4 inches deep and there was no prospect of clearing it out. The game was off, so I made my way back to the pub from where the team operated and delivered the bad news. I noticed, as I walked into the bar area, that a garden fork, undoubtedly ready to fork the surface water away, was propped against the table which still contained the remnants of last night's karaoke.

I collected my half fee and travelling expenses before heading home. I spent my time clearing out clutter from the conservatory and my daughter's bedroom before making three trips to the local tip, buying a Christmas tree and having said daughter (and boyfriend she now lives with) around for dinner. Much more peaceful than another 90 minutes of abuse like yesterday. I could get used to this ...