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Pyramid Patrol 2017/18
Topic Started: Sunday, 30. July 2017, 14:26 (32,820 Views)
Jim Carr Fan Club
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Had the weather forecast been more promising earlier in the week, the destination of choice would have been Angus, where Carnoustie Panmure beat Arthurlie 3-0 in the Scottish Junior Cup. Instead it was once again the Yorkshire Payments Stadium, there to be greeted by a friend with the cry "I thought you weren't coming this week - you always bring us bad luck." A moment's reflection followed before he added "Mind you, anyone who comes brings us bad luck these days." This time, however, our gloom was not entirely warranted at

Saturday 17th February 2018
Evo-Stik Division 1N
Brighouse Town 3 v 3 Bamber Bridge
Jake Topp (Salford); Darren Brown, Matthew Young.

Our refugee from Hampshire, Mr Topp, had coincidentally been in charge of the Trophy match between these two clubs at Irongate in October, with a different Brown assistant.

When the visitors, henceforth referred to as Brig, were just wide with a shot, there was relief among the locals, but equally a sense of foreboding. This increased on 8 minutes when they conceded a corner, but this time they headed it clear, made rapid progress down the right wing and crossed for their number 10 to give Town the lead. Indeed things might have got even better two minutes later, but the ball just cleared the bar. Brig continued to enjoy the bulk of possession, though. As half time approached the Town number 2 was warned about dissent at a free-kick award. Town survived a prolonged and desperate scramble on the line and shortly afterwards their keeper made a good save to see the home side reach the break a goal to the good.

A petulant kick at the ball saw the Brig number 2 receive a yellow card early in the second period, but his side penned Brighouse in their defensive third and the equaliser came on 55 minutes. The Town number 9 and his captain were spoken to for a foul when jumping for the ball - the captain summoned by name, which was unfortunate as the injured Adam had been replaced at half-time. Eventually though the ersatz skipper presented himself. Town went ahead on 63 minutes and extended their lead through a penalty on 69 minutes, converted with the assistance of crossbar and keeper - but no enumeration of poultry was being undertaken by home fans, all too used to seeing two goal leads disappearing. Sure enough Brig's pressure paid off with a goal on 75 minutes. The Brig 16 was lectured about his dissent and the Town number 17 saw yellow for an attack-stopping challenge just outside the area. It came as no surprise when Brig equalised on 86 minutes. There was time for two further cautions - Town's number 5 for a late tackle and Brig's number 3 after Mr Topp had allowed an advantage. In between Town came close to snatching a much-needed win, but hit the bar instead. In the light of previous matches a draw was a welcome relief.

Mr Topp is not the most obviously charismatic of officials - some would see that as a good thing - but he was firm and decisive, and his triage was very good indeed. He made it clear that he was not going to be pressurised into decisions, and consequently players made relatively little attempt to do so. With a good level of fitness, he handled the match unobtrusively but very well. AR1 was somewhat, nay very much, lacking in the hair department and was fairly comfortably built. He did very well on one occasion to withhold his offside flag as a man ran past his colleague to collect the ball. AR2, leaner and hairier - though not to excess - had one early offside decision disputed by the visitors (Mr Topp might have been more supportive there perhaps) but otherwise had an equally untroubled afternoon.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Monday, 19. February 2018, 00:02.
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paulfootballfan
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Sun 18th February
Lewes Women 0 v 6 Everton Ladies
Women’s FA Cup 5th Round
Ref-Matthew Russell Assistants-Paula Wyatt and Alex Lewis 4th-Charles Bowen

I missed the first 5 minutes of the match due to a rail replacement bus being caught at a red light at almost every set of traffic lights between Littlehampton and Brighton. Everton scored their opening goal after 8 minutes when their 7 scored from a rebound after her initial shot had been saved. They extended their lead after 12 minutes when their 11 scored a curling effort from outside the penalty area. Everton had a shot blocked by the Lewes goalie and Lewes’s 14 shot over. Everton’s 7 scored her second after 19 minutes when she finished a low cross. Everton’s 17 had a shot saved, Lewes had a shot saved for a corner and Everton’s 11 had a free kick saved. Everton’s 7 completed her hat trick after 40 minutes with a low finish however injury forced her to be replaced a few minutes later.

Everton’s 11 had a few chances early in the second half with a shot at the goalie, another blocked by the goalie and shooting wide when left free in the penalty area. Everton’s 26 also had a few chances with a couple of shots saved. Everton’s 3 scored their 5th goal with a dipping shot from outside the area after 69 minutes. Lewes’s 4 was spoken to after committing a foul where her foot was off the ground. Everton’s 8 had a shot saved. Everton’s 21 had a shot go onto the roof of the net before she had another shot at the goalie. Everton scored their 6th after 89 minutes when their 20 headed in a corner. Lewes had the final chance of the match that forced Everton’s goalie to make a good save from a shot.

Nothing obviously wrong with Mr Russell’s foul decisions though some did look a bit soft. The one potentially bookable challenge was meet with a word with the offending player. A very good change of pace and was always up with play. Tried to take some wide positions. Movement was good and always moved backwards at goal kicks. Told players where to take free kicks when they tried to encroach. Always tried to play advantages and came back when they did not happen including on one occasion when trying to allow Everton an advantage but Mr Lewis instantly raised his flag for offside. Doesn’t have a loud voice but heard some vocal encouragement and there was some interaction with players. There wasn’t much slow play and Mr Russell didn’t encourage/escort players back after the goals. Ms Wyatt was not wearing a county badge whilst the other 3 officials were. Both assistants looked to get their decisions right with them also flagging for fouls when they had better views.
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Not having been to an evening match in 2018, I was doubtful whether to venture out, but eventually found myself heading to

Tuesday 20th February 2018
NCEFL Premier Division
Liversedge 3 v 5 Pickering Town
Paul Tomes (Ecclesfield); Matthew Malton, Ellis Mills.

Resurfacing works in the centre of Cleckheaton meant that JCFC had to negotiate a series of tapes and barriers to reach the road to the ground - and as the bus station was closed, the planned wait there for the return bus was no longer a possibility - another walk? On opening the programme to check the officials' names the thought was that things could have been worse,(the phrase "damning with faint praise" may come to mind here,) as Mr Tomes is a competent referee who tends not to be too pernickety. I knew from previous sightings that Mr Malton was tallish, slim, brown-haired and bearded, so it would be easy to identify who was who. Alas the same description fitted Mr Mills, so which was which remains unknown - though the guess is that Mr Mills was on the stand side.

Liversedge had had a surprising 1-5 win at table-topping Mansfield on Saturday, but Pickering looked the superior outfit. Pickering had the ball in the net on 9 minutes, but from an offside position. The only other item of note in a bland first half-hour was a caution for their number 8 for stopping a not-particularly-promising attack (it was Liversedge after all!) which was sufficiently cynical for the caution to be merited nonetheless. Just when we were all about to nod off, the game burst into life. On 31 minutes a long diagonal ball from the right caught the home keeper way off his line and his leap only allowed a fingertip to help the ball on its way to the net. Two minutes later a similar scenario on the left saw the well-known Blott on the landscape lift the ball over the keeper and into the net off the far post. Two minutes passed - and the score became 1-2 as Liversedge headed a cross down and in, and they almost equalised immediately afterwards, but shot over the bar. Instead they had to wait a further six minutes before they headed home a cross from the other side. Within a minute a dithering Sedge defender gave the ball away and the Pikes hit the post with the net unguarded. Sedge did not make the most of this escape as a minute later Pickering again lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to retake the lead - prompting a disgruntled home supporter to abuse his defence, pointing out that there had been more chips than at Harry Ramsden's. His mood improved though as a long ball forward allowed a Sedge attacker to stab the ball past the keeper to send the teams in level.

Pickering twice put chances over the bar in the opening stages of the second half and then Sedge came close as the Pikes' keeper palmed the ball away. A foul by the home number 8 led to the game's second yellow card on 56 minutes. Pickering took the lead on 58 minutes, a corner going in at the foot of the near post. On the hour Liversedge were awarded a corner, with the assistant indicating a goal-kick. The Pikes' number 7 led a trio of dissenting voices and received a firm warning. The visitors' fifth came from a header on 62 minutes - after which the game went back to sleep for the remaining time, which the visiting boss extended by making three separate substitutions after the 90 minute mark.

Mr Tomes had another trouble-free evening, dealing with what (little) dissent there was and operating a consistent line. JCFC's opinion of him grows a little each time he is seen and he is becoming a very good referee - or perhaps he always was, but this watcher was too dim to realise it!

With the bus station closed, Plan B had been to undertake the long walk home, but the breathlessness caused by the cold air on the short rise to the road meant that "The butter pat of Valerie's desk ration" as Frank Muir once had it, meant a turn to the right down to the town centre, where the chilly 40 minute wait at the bus stop was avoided thanks to the hospitality of Obediah (sic) Brooke.
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microscopist
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Mr Tomes refereed the game between Atherton Collieries and Mossley at the week-end and the officials' decisions were not well received on the Mossley website. However, the specific incidents complained of were two offside non-decisions that led to goals so perhaps it was either J MacLeod or M Burgin who most offended them.
AKA Cassandra
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BORIS10
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Well done,JCFC[and thanks for Ray Tinkler memories-I think you are correct-I was there,but where?]for your fortitude.

Seems to be Heavy [Woollen]going in the Spen Valley and the road works seem very Shoddy.Seem to have nearly as many as in the SW.
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paulfootballfan
Monday, 19. February 2018, 19:52
Ms Wyatt was not wearing a county badge whilst the other 3 officials were. Both assistants looked to get their decisions right with them also flagging for fouls when they had better views.
I would imagine she wore the Three Lions badge awarded by the FA for international duties.

Edited by djw34, Thursday, 22. February 2018, 12:38.
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djw34
Thursday, 22. February 2018, 12:38
paulfootballfan
Monday, 19. February 2018, 19:52
Ms Wyatt was not wearing a county badge whilst the other 3 officials were. Both assistants looked to get their decisions right with them also flagging for fouls when they had better views.
I would imagine she wore the Three Lions badge awarded by the FA for international duties.

I'm not sure we should be encouraging a clean-living young chap like Paul to be looking too closely at ladies' chesticles.
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With all ties finished on the day, the saga ends with

Episode 13
FA Vase Quarter Final
Bracknell Town 0 v 3 Marske United
Chris O'Donnell (Leighton Buzzard); Ricky Adams, Ryan Whitaker. 4thers Jamaal Horne.


In the second minute a long Marske effort was tipped over the bar, but thereafter it was the home side who applied sustained pressure. The visitors, perhaps wary of the artificial surface, resorted to long aerial clearances, which soon saw the ball coming back at them, requiring some desperate work in the Marske goalmouth on more than one occasion. There were numerous free-kicks conceded, mostly by the visitors and midway through the half, when, not for the first time, their number 11 came second in Mr O'Donnell's photo-finish, the yellow card made its first appearance. Play remained fairly scrappy, with frequent interruptions for free-kicks until the final five minutes of the half when Marske decided to start passing the ball. Immediately they looked more dangerous and on 44 minutes they drilled a low shot into the net for a lead that had looked unlikely for most of the half.

The Marske number 11 offended again early in the second half and received a warning, with his captain summoned too. A yellow for the Marske number 9 soon followed. On the hour the Marske striker was played through, the Bracknell keeper doing well to block the shot to safety with his legs. There was a further yellow two minutes later at a free-kick to Marske, but the vague wave of the card did not enable watchers to know who had received it - presumably a Bracknell player, though it was Marske players who were closest at the time. The game was effectively settled on 70 minutes when Marske took a free-kick quickly and with the home defence AWOL, the lead was easily doubled. It was almost three a minute later, but the visitors missed a good chance. Marske again came close with a long ball freeing the number 9 whose shot was again turned for a corner by the Bracknell keeper. Bracknell retaliated with a raid stopped by a handball - and yellow card for the Marske number 6. The free-kick was played in temptingly, but Bracknell headed over, Marske launched an immediate counter and a potential 1-2 score became 0-3. There was late Bracknell pressure, but the result was no longer in doubt. It had not been the best of games, but that did not bother the Seasiders' fans!

Mr O'Donnell looked the part, except for the constant fiddling with his earpiece, which seemed to be troubling him, unless he had particularly chatty assistants. He used plenty of conciliatory chat and received an early little cuddle from a Bracknell defender.The stakes being high, the level of questioning of decisions (mostly against free-kicks given rather than those not awarded) grew as the game progressed. Being used to refereeing in the National League, Mr O'Donnell was perhaps more inured to this than some of his humbler brethren and looked to manage things. In the overall picture he was successful in this and handled the game well, though for JCFC did not quite achieve the hoped-for wow factor of the very top performers.

Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Sunday, 25. February 2018, 22:34.
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Sat 24th Feb
Whyteleafe 3 v 2 Walton Casuals
Isthmian League Division 1 South
Ref-Jamie Wells Assistants-Nigel Owen and Luis Nunes

Walton Casuals 9 had a shot saved at the second attempt and Whyteleafe had a shot over in the early stages of the match. Walton Casuals 8 was booked after catching a Whyteleafe player in the head with his arm. Walton Casuals 7 had a curling effort go wide. Whyteleafe took the lead after 27 minutes when their 3 scored from a corner. Whyteleafe’s 3 and 9 had further shots go over before they extended their lead after 32 minutes when their 7 scored. Walton Casuals 7 headed against the outside of the post before their 9 got a goal back after 36 minutes when he lobbed the goalie after a quickly taken free kick. Whyteleafe’s 8 shot at the goalie and their 14 shot over. Walton Casuals equalised after 45 minutes when their 10 scored with a low shot. Whyteleafe’s 8 and 5 were both speaking to the officials as they left the pitch at half time.

Mr Wells was still explaining something to Whyteleafe players before the second half started. Whyteleafe’s 12 committed a foul which was followed by some silliness that quickly calmed down. A number of yellow cards followed with Whyteleafe’s 11 and 12 both being booked for separate fouls on Walton Casuals 8, Whyteleafe’s 8 was booked for from Mr Wells pointing was for a number of fouls and Walton Casuals 2 was booked for a trip from behind. Whyteleafe’s 9 shot over after an advantage had been played and their 11 shot wide. Whyteleafe’s 12 scored after controlling a low cross after 73 minutes. Walton Casuals 5 was booked for a foul that was obscured from my view by a pillar. Whyteleafe’s 12 headed at the goalie. Whyteleafe’s 6 was booked for a foul before their 14 stopped a quick free kick being taken and was not booked. Just after Mr Wells indicated to Mr Owen there would be 4 minutes added on and he had told the Whyteleafe bench, Mr Wells went over for a word with him and then looked to send a member of the Whyteleafe coaching staff off.

Most decisions looked correct to me though one hand ball given in the second half did look a bit harsh. I thought maybe a bit inconsistent on what he thought were bookings. Showed the card to players then let them go whilst writing their details down. A good change of pace and was up with play. Positioning was okay though did have to move quickly out of the way on a few occasions. Movement was good and has a running style with his arms very close to his body and looked a bit upright. Moved backwards at goal kicks. Told players were to take throw ins if they tried to encroach. Tried to play advantages and left a lag. Not a loud voice but heard some vocal encouragement such as “steady” being his most common phrase. Didn’t notice too much interaction with players as the match was going on. Dealt with slow play with a few shouts of “get moving” and did this from during the first half when Whyteleafe slowed things down though didn’t do anything to hurry a slow moving Whyteleafe player near the end as he was subbed. Mr Wells walked back with the players after the goals. He was quick to stop play for head injuries. Mr Wells offered encouragement to both assistants when they made decisions. Both assistants looked to get their decisions right with both flagging for fouls nearer to them and Mr Owen waiting for the player to get to the ball before raising his flag for offside.
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Sat 10th March
Basingstoke Town 1 v 0 St Neots Town
Southern League Premier Division
Ref-Iain Parsons Assistants-Lennon Davis and David Cox

After a weekend without football due to the weather and no transport leaving the Bournemouth area last Saturday it was back to it today with my first choice at Eastleigh being called off early. A change from the referee posted earlier in the week with the recognisable Mr Parsons with his slim build and no hair being the referee. Also he has a different warm up routine for him and the assistants than most referees. Basingstoke’s 11 had a cross shot saved then St Neots 6 had a shot tipped over superbly by the Basingstoke goalie. Before the corner could be taken a Basingstoke player had to be treated for a head injury and St Neots had a shot at the goalie from the corner. St Neots 9 and 7 both had shots saved and Basingstoke’s 11 shot wide. Mr Parsons had a word with a member of the St Neots coaching staff after he disagreed with a decision. Basingstoke took the lead just before half time when their 11 scored with a low finish after a cross.

Basingstoke’s 10 had 2 early shots saved in the second half. St Neots 11 hit the crossbar with a cross. Basingstoke’s 10 had a shot blocked but it looked like he was caught late just after he shot but Mr Parsons did not give a penalty. St Neots 8 was booked. Both sides had chances just wide or at the goalie. St Neots captain was spoken to after committing a foul. Basingstoke’s 18 was booked after Mr Parsons had given a free kick against him even though it looked like he won the ball but maybe it was for the angle of the challenge. Basingstoke’s 9 headed over before their 3 was booked for kicking the ball away after his team had given away a free kick. St Neots had late chances with the best being their 11 heading wide.

I did not agree with all of Mr Parsons decisions today though most did look right. Did not give anything when players went down easily. Positioning and movement were okay and there was a bit of a change of pace but seemed a bit behind play if it broke quickly. Mixed back and forward running at goal kicks. Signalled where throws should be taken and tried to stop encroachments. On the whole played advantages but seemed to be a delay after the foul and signalling that he was playing an advantage. A bit mixed of letting play carry on after offsides had been flagged. Not a loud voice and didn’t hear much vocal encouragement but there was some interaction with the players. A couple of signals to get on with things, blasts of his whistle and signals to his watch when there was slow play. Also heard one shout encouraging to get on with things but didn’t do anything to hurry a slow sub along. Thought Mr Cox could have signalled for a foul that was close to him that in the end was not given but could be heard telling players where to take throw ins. Mr Davis signalled for fouls close to him. Both seemed to get the rest of their decisions right.
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Sat 17th March
Poole Town 0 v 4 Bath City
National League South
Ref-Matty Buonassisi (Rushden) Assistants-Alan Berrow and Alex James

There was light snow throughout that did not settle and it was very, very cold. I do not have a good record seeing Poole this season. In 4 previous visits to my local club they have failed to win and even score a goal. Bath had an early chance when their 8 had a shot saved by the Poole goalie. Poole created a few half chances but Bath had the next good chance when their 11 shot wide from a cross when it was maybe easier to score. Poole’s 11 shot at the goalie and they had a free kick go right across the goal. Poole’s 5 was booked for a foul. Bath’s 8 shot wide and their 3 was shown a yellow card for a foul. Poole’s 9 headed over a cross. Bath took the lead in injury time at the end of the half when after the Poole goalie made a good save from Bath’s number 11s header, there 10 scored from the corner with a Poole players miskick into the net being the final touch.

Early in the second half Bath scored their second when their 9 scored from a rebound after Poole’s goalie had made a save. Poole’s 10 had a shot saved and from the resulting corner their 7 headed wide. Bath’s 9 shot over. Bath’s 4 was booked for a foul. Bath’s 10 had a shot blocked with their 11 shooting wide from the rebound. Bath’s 8 scored their third after 68 minutes with Poole’s 8 being booked after the goal for a late foul he had committed early and this being the next break in play after an advantage had been played. Poole’s 12 shot over before Bath’s 3 committed a foul that he might have been booked for had he not already been with Mr Buonassisi not even having a word with him. Poole created chances with their 8 having a shot go over, their 11 having a cross shot go over and their 10 shooting at the Bath goalie. Bath’s 12 had a shot saved at the other end. Bath’s 3 was show a second yellow and then a red after Mr Buonassisi thought he had dived when he went down in the area looking for a penalty and then some silliness after. Sat on the other side of the pitch, I could not tell if any contact had been made or not. Bath’s 7 completed the scoring in injury time at the end with the best goal of the game with a nice finish. Bath’s 7 still had time for another chance when he forced Poole’s goalie into making a double save. At the end of both half’s the officials were quick to leave the pitch before all the players and coaching staff. So my poor record of seeing Poole this season continues.

Most foul decisions looked correct with nothing obvious wrong to me. One Bath player maybe could have been booked/spoken to after kicking the ball away after an offside had been given. Once in the first half Mr Buonassisi signalled for a new ball when the ball had only just gone over a barrier and the original ball was back on the pitch quickly. Movement was okay and he had a good change of pace and with his short stature always seemed close enough to play. Mixed forward and backward running at goal kicks. Did get in the way of things a few times and maybe could have taken slightly wider positions. Signalled both with his hands and vocally where he wanted throws to be taken. A bit mixed with allowing advantages with play stopped in the first half when one could have been allowed but he did allow them left a lag and played some good ones including for Bath’s third goal and booking the player at the next break. An audible voice and heard plenty of vocal encouragement and some interaction with the players. Didn’t encourage players back after the goals and did nothing to hurray slow Bath subs but did hear a few shouts of “lets go” and signals to get on with things. Moved away from an injured Bath player being treated. In the first half, the grey haired Mr Berrow signalled for an offside but the younger Mr James had already signalled for the ball going out of play with the throw being given. Both assistants looked to get their decisions right but Mr Berrow seemed a bit behind play on occasions and Mr James signalled a few times for fouls he was close too.

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Venturing forth into the Northern night for the first time in several weeks, JCFC spurned a bus-pass visit to Thackley (Andy Smith, a 4-2 home win and a red card for the visiting keeper for kicking an opponent), bypassed Chadderton (just as well as the pitch was apparently still under snow), seduced by the chance to watch an apparent whizz-kid who burst on the scene from nowhere - to those of us not from the North-East, anyway - and rose rapidly to 2B:

Tuesday 20th March 2018
National League North
FC United of Manchester 1 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Adam Herczeg (Dunston); Darren Rogers, Ian Walsh.

The programme had not been updated and though the new referee was announced on the PA, the assistants werte not, but fortunately Mr Rogers was distinguishable by his slightly tatty fair hair, Mr Walsh by his venerable appearance. An early Gainsborough raid left the latter several yards adrift, but he had no further problems for the rest of the half. FC looked much the better side thereafter, missing a good chance by shooting over after a parry by the Trinity keeper on 12 minutes. Four minutes later the FC fans were baying for a free-kick as their right winger was impeded, but play was allowed to continue - with no apparent advantage signal -and the ensuing cross allowed the home side to go ahead. There were a number of strong, clumsy challenges, sometimes resulting in players going over their opponent's back, but Mr Herczeg was happy enough. Eventually one collision between the United number5 and the Trinity number 9 resulted in a spot of cuddling and an ungainly lift that would not have impressed Craig Revel-Horwood. This time Mr Herczeg did decide to have a word with the pair involved. Another parry by the visiting keeper threatened danger, but a panic clearance attempt bounced off an attacker for a goal-kick. The FC number 4 was spoken to after a trip just before the break.

The second period began with an FC attack, leaving Mr Walsh trailing somewhat, but again there were no further problems for him for the rest of the match. A late challenge by the FC number 10 brought him a yellow card, the process being dragged out as he argued throughout. On the hour FC had a penalty appeal quickly rejected, much to their annoyance and number 10 was still arguing a minute later, Mr Herczeg at last calling him for a "no more" warning. Yellows quickly followed for the Gainsborough numbers 6 and 3 and they survived a further appeal for a penalty as a defender fell on the ball. At last Trinity began to threaten - or they would have done had they not been set on providing Mr Rogers with repeated opportunities to practise flagging for offside - including one chance from a corner when the ball was making its way into the net. At a substitution on 82 minutes the FC number 10 was again having speech with Mr Herczeg, but it must have been more amicable as the no more clause was not invoked. There was a late yellow for the Trinity number 8 after a well-judged - if not signalled - advantage and an even later one for timewasting by the FC number 3.

Mr Herczeg is tall, slim and well-groomed. He is still fairly young, but his movement had neither the lightness nor the vigour of many of his colleagues. He controlled the game in a style which might be expected at a higher level, but does not entirely appeal to JCFC. He preferred to keep a wider view of events, even during a brief spell when acts of retribution seemed likely, but generally negotiated the match pretty well. To his credit he did try to ensure that kicks and throws were taken from the right spot and his generous allowance of time added seemed appropriate. A star of the future? Possibly, but on this occasion the verdict would have to be proxime accessit, rather than a resounding "yes."

With the train not being until 22.33, JCFC sought solace in the arms of the gardener, renewing an old acquaintance with John Willie Lees.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Wednesday, 21. March 2018, 16:46.
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http://www.theucl.co.uk/latest.php?news_id=289

Something quite unusual and exotic tomorrow: Three Norwegian refereeing crews to work UCL games tomorrow. Anyone here in the area who fancies reporting on a game?
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Sat 24TH March
Haringey Borough 3 v 3 Heybridge Swifts
Isthmian League Division 1 North
Ref-Damith Bandara Assistants-James Harding and Andrew Senior

With the cranes at Tottenham’s new ground in the distance one way and Alexandra Palace in the distance the other, I made a first visit to Haringey Borough in over 20 years. Haringey’s ground is actually on White Hart Lane. Haringey’s 9 had a low shot tipped wide for a corner. Haringey scored their first after 16 minutes when their 9 finished from a cross. Heybridge’s 15 was booked for a late lunging foul. Haringey’s 7 was perhaps fortunate not to see a yellow card after first diving then committing a foul with Mr Bandara not even having a word with him. He did have a word with Heybridge’s 9 after some silliness before a goal kick was taken. Heybridge’s 7 had a long range shot saved for a corner. Haringey had a low cross put just wide of his own post by a Heybridge defender for a corner. Haringey scored their second after 44 minutes with their 11 scoring with a low shot from outside the area. Heybridge’s manager had a word with the officials as they left the pitch at half time after feeling a few decisions had gone against his team during the half.

Haringey’s 7 shot over after collecting a loose throw in from Heybridge. Heybridge’s 2 shot over from a shot corner with Mr Bandara almost getting in the way of the player. Haringey scored their third after 51 minutes with their 10 scoring with a low finish from the edge of the area. Haringey’s 9 shot over after a nice build up. Haringey’s 4 was booked after his side were given a corner but he decided to walk away with the ball and time waste. Was a bit unclear who was booked as Mr Bandara held the yellow card in the air but did not speak to the player. Haringey’s 9 shot over before Heybridge got a goal back after 67 minutes when their 8 shot from outside the area into the top corner. Heybridge’s 3 was spoken to after committing a foul. Haringey’s 8 was booked for trying to stop the Heybridge goalie drop kicking the ball out. Heybridge scored their second after 72 minutes when their 17 finished a low cross. After the goal the Haringey goalie picked the ball up and the Heybridge 17 kicked out at him in an attempt to get the ball and get it back to the half way line. A bit of silliness followed but Mr Bandara was quickly in between players to stop it getting out of hand and then the Heybridge 17 ran back to his own half. Mr Bandara called him over in the centre circle and showed him a yellow and then a red card presumably for two offences. The Haringey goalie was also booked for him part. Heybridge were awarded a penalty when their player run into the area and went down fairly easily, looking for the penalty in my opinion. Their 12 scored the penalty after 75 minutes to equalise. Haringey’s 10 had a shot saved with their 11 heading the rebound over. Haringey’s 7 was booked for a high tackle. Heybridge’s 11 had a low shot saved and then their 12 had a shot go wide. Heybridge’s 3 was booked for a build up of offences from Mr Bandara’s pointing.

Didn’t agree with all Mr Bandara’s decisions and the penalty being soft looking. Movement was okay with a bit of a change of pace but on some occasions didn’t always seem up with play. Positioning was good and took up a few wide positions and also worked well into the corners. Mixed running at goal kicks that became more backwards as the match went on. Signalled where he wanted throw ins to be taken and tried to stop encroachments. Not many chances to play advantages but did when he could. Not a loud voice but heard some vocal encouragement. There seemed to be a fair bit of interaction with players and a smile on his face a lot of the time. Also could be heard telling the Heybridge manager to sit down. Walked with and encouraged players back after the goals. Dealt with slow play by signalling to players to get on with things. Both assistants seemed to get their decisions right.
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Friday was the highlight of JCFC's social year, the West Bradford Village Hall quiz - finishing nowhere, undone by a sheet of pictures of film stars - so it was an easy trip to

Saturday 24th March 2018
Evo-Stik Division 1N
Colne 3 v 1 Brighouse Town
Mark Reeves (Manchesterish); Daniel Moroney, Oliver Chow.

The names of the officials did not feature anywhere in the programme and, though they were announced on the PA, Colne had made their visitors feel at home by rendering the announcements as muffled and incomprehensible as at Brighouse. AR2 might well have been an oliver, but did not resemble a chow. The figure accompanying them, small of stature, ginger and bearded might have been taken for a leprechaun still trying to find his way home after the previous Saturday's St Patrick's Day celebrations, had he not previously crossed the radar as an assistant. The trimness of the beard and the absence of a green hat were clinching details.

On a previous visit to Colne, the referee Kris Silcock had exchanged a few pleasantries with the sole occupant of the stand when warming up; on this occasion they jogged past, one of the trio uttered an imprecation (or maybe claimed to have lunched on four quenelles) and they promptly crossed to the far side of the pitch.

There was a rare case of a change of ends before the toss: Colne gathered for a presentation in the top corner, so Town took up residence in the bottom half. Presentation over, Colne proceeded to run through the Brighouse ranks and force them back into the top half. On winning the toss, the Town captain smelt a rat and switched ends again.

Mr Reeves was a little slow to pick up a couple of early offside flags, but his administering of a caution to the Brighouse number 8 for a 10th minute foul was exemplary. Colne took the lead with a good header on the quarter hour, but when Brighouse had a similar chance soon afterwards, a soft contact gave the keeper an easy catch. Within a minute the lead was doubled, Town giving away possession when attacking and unable to catch the Colne attacker who found the hole in the Town keeper's body. Another Brighouse header made a firmer connection, but passed just over the crossbar. Town received their second yellow card on 38 minutes, for a trip by their number 2, a decision not well received by some of their officials, who informed Mr Reeves "You weren't even looking." Mr Reeves was finding a greater than average number of fouls - often involving use of the arms - but was commendably keen to deal with backchat, more than one player being rebuked after free-kicks in their favour, the Brighouse number 6 formally so. A very rash attempt at a tackle by the Town number 4 in the area missed its target, fortunately so for all concerned.

Brighouse had another soft header early in the second period, but began to give a better account of themselves, without testing the keeper, while Colne did less of the attacking, but always looked the more dangerous. On 62 minutes the ball reached the Colne number 10 with room to run into the box, where he was taken down by the visiting number 5. A yellow card and penalty resulted, the spot kick being blocked by the keeper, only for the taker to be first on the scene to add Colne's third. Colne's number 4 saw yellow on 70 minutes for a foul and five minutes later the Colne number 3 chose to argue at length over an incorrect decision and was eventually called for a lecture. The player decided that he was going to be the one to deliver it and eventually a loud voice from the stand asked "Who's going to have the last word, referee?" As the lecture ended, the player saw this as a challenge, decided that it was him, only to be called back to receive a yellow card. Colne hit the post on 84 minutes, but on 85 Brighouse scored from a corner to the far post.

There was much that appealed about Mr Reeves's approach. He had a good whistle when required, but did not overdo it; his movement was very good, with an excellent reverse gear; there was much cheerful communication with AR2 - the latter at one point suggesting he should whistle to hurry a goal-kick; and as noted, he kept a lid on dissent. The possible downside was that he was maybe a little too strict in his assessment of offences, but for a first season at Level 3, that can be considered a good fault. On the whole it was a good afternoon's work by this "poor man's Alan Young."

Three buses - changing at Keighley and Bradford - saw JCFC home by 8pm, where he was pleased to learn that Goole had lost 0-4 at home to Kendal and remain seven points adrift, with seven matches to play. If only Brighouse could pick up a point or two ...
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Sunday, 25. March 2018, 22:16.
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Thanks to JCFC for extending my vocabulary by two words. I wish had known more about French food during my playing days ^o)

Saturday 24th March 2018
National League
Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Eastleigh FC
Referee: Hull, Joe
Assistant Referee: Woodward, Daniel
Assistant Referee: Woodward, Richard
Fourth Official: Wootton, Ricky

An early ko for television, wondered if the selection of Mr Hull for this one meant his star was ascending. A fairly ordinary game, which did not deserve the quality goal from Andy Cook in added time to seal the Rovers victory.

It was a relatively uneventful game for Mr Hull, with just one YC, for a trip on Tollitt, after a good ball had left him free on the edge of the Eastleigh penalty box. Fitness and positioning were good and he appeared to get most things right. He let quite a lot go, which didn't come back to bite him, there was only one occasion when Norburn, aggrieved by not getting a foul awarded, kicked out at his opponent from the ground. While some would have produced a card, here the situation was defused with a quick word.

Don't know if the Woodward's are related. While the nearside AR Daniel(?) had a steady game, the one running the far touchline Richard (?) was flagging prolifically for offside during the first half as Tranmere attacked his end. A couple seemed close calls, but from my viewpoint, it was hard to judge beyond that.
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JCFC was overcharged by £1.25 on the train to Mills Hill, when heading for

Tuesday 27th March 2018
NWCFL First (ie 2nd) Division
Chadderton 1 v 2 Eccleshall
Danny Sims (Leigh); Andy Cottrell, Matt Jackson.

Three or four seasons ago Mr Sims was a regular, efficient feature on the line - notably for Messrs Woods and Parsons - but had not been seen recently (too busy acquiring a black beard perhaps), and never in the middle. He greeted the old codger contemplating the purchase of pie and peas politely as he passed. Mr Cottrell had been seen before, including a somewhat fraught match in the middle at this ground. Mr Jackson looked somewhat younger, with a mediocre attempt at a not-quite-a-beard, but all credit to him for the earnestness of his side-skipping on the line.

An early offside flag from Mr Cottrell was not picked up for several seconds, but there were to be no further problems of that sort. Eccleshall have tended to be perennial drop dodgers and it was no surprise that Chadderton looked the stronger side, hitting the post on 9 minutes and creating a good chance for their number 9, who shot straight at the keeper. They were, however, proving a boorishly whiny bunch, their own spectators telling them to shut up, stop arguing and get on with the game. One even advised the referee to book one serial moaner - a sentiment with which JCFC concurred. The 19th minute brought appeals for a handball penalty to Eccleshall, followed within seconds by an appeal for a penalty for a foul at the other end. Mr Jackson briefly became the target for Chadderton's whining and it was good to see that Mr Sims gave him a supportive word soon afterwards. Communication with assistants was indeed a strong point all match. The home side took the lead on 22 minutes, a low shot curling just inside the post, and soon saw another effort deflected for a corner. The yellow card did appear on 33 minutes, the visiting number 4 being the recipient for an ineffectual attempt at holding when losing out in a tussle on the touchline - not wrong, but maybe a shade harsh in context. Eccleshall had won a few corners without threatening greatly, but on 37 minutes a quick break down the right and a good cross enabled them to level the score. A further chance saw the ball headed over the home crossbar.

A free-kick in his side's favour led to a warning for the Chadderton number 8 and his captain early in the second half. The home side soon hit the post once more and then shot over after a powerful run from midfield. In the course of the evening there had been a number of disputed line/goal-kick/corner decisions and just after the hour a throw was awarded to Eccleshall, prompting the home number 5 not only to shout his disagreement, but to bounce the ball away angrily. The arrival of the yellow card was indisputable. Three minutes later it was the turn of the home captain to throw a mega-tantrum, with much flouncing and bellowing when advantage was not allowed as he rode an attempted foul. As it was on the edge of his own area, the free-kick was not an unreasonable decision. Mr Sims was patient and rather more sympathetic than the player deserved - a view, it transpired, shared by the visiting skipper. There followed a yellow card for the Eccleshall number 11 for a foul, flagged promptly by Mr Cottrell. An Eccleshall attack was halted for an off the ball foul (unseen by JCFC) by their number 10, who was summoned for a warning, with his captain also called in. JCFC and the Eccleshall skipper clearly had different views of the skipper's role in such cases: it simply became an argument two against one as he sided with his player. As the meeting broke up, he felt constrained to offer a noisy lesson, citing the previous dissent from the home captain, adding "That's why you're losing the game. I'm telling you," and to prove it he repeated the whole diatribe. It is a sad feature of the game as a whole that referees are prepared to tolerate such things. The game was heading for a draw, but in the 94th minute the Chadderton keeper's clearance went straight to an opponent and after a couple of passes and a block or two, the ball ended in the net for the winner - allowing Eccleshall to climb above their hosts in the table.

Mr Sims had tried throughout to work with players, without gaining the desired cooperation. He had been consistently firm in ensuring that throws were taken from the right spot, but on the whole it was probably not a game he will have enjoyed greatly. A little less reason and a lot more firmness would have been welcome, in this quarter at least.

The late goal and subsequent celebrations prolonged the game by a minute, meaning that JCFC missed the bus by fifteen yards and had to repair to the Sun Mill Inn, for a pint of something fizzy and nasty, where he was astonished to discover that in Chadderton a major spectator sport appears to be ... dominoes!
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Wednesday, 28. March 2018, 12:20.
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Daniel Jacks
Friday, 23. March 2018, 19:22
http://www.theucl.co.uk/latest.php?news_id=289

Something quite unusual and exotic tomorrow: Three Norwegian refereeing crews to work UCL games tomorrow. Anyone here in the area who fancies reporting on a game?
I went to the game Rushden & Higham v Blackstones in UCL div 1 that had Norwegian officials.

Cracking game (4-4) where the home side, one that is known locally for often giving officials a thumping, were very unhappy about the referee.

Rushden went 2-0 up early, and the ref was very inconsistent when only warning the Blackstones captain for a quite reckless tackle, while he minutes later cautioned one of Rushden's strikers for something that to be fair was a foul but never anything more.

He correctly waved on a couple of penalty appeals, and then made a very big decision, sending off the other Rushden striker. It was literally only the referee and AR2 that could see fully what happened, as the home side striker was chasing one of the game's 1000 long through passes. The goalkeeper caught the ball right on the goal line out on the edge of the six yard box, and the striker lunged in high and with studs showing, and was deemed to hit the keeper in the stomach area. The ref was right on top of it, while the other players were probably 25 yards or so away. He took his time before producing a red, a very brave decision I think he got spot on.

Nobody asked for or seemed to expect a sending off, leaving me and everyone very very surprised. However, his decision was fully correct by the letter of the law, and perhaps we can attribute this style of refereeing to a very possible lack of club marks on the continent.

Rushden continued to play recklessly and unsportingly, and the ref dished out another yellow for a clear reckless tackle before the break. Just before half time Blackstones seemed to want another red for an off the ball incident, however the ref and AR1 were in my opinion right in letting it pass.

Some chaos ensued at the tunnel at half time, with two members of the Rushden staff hurling abuse at the observer and league/county FA representatives present. A county FA lad intervened and sent them away.

The second half was a lot quieter refereeing-wise than the first. Blackstones pulled back to make it level at 2-2, then it became 3-2 and 3-3. A Rushden midfielder was correctly cautioned for simulation, and a bit later there was another reckless tackle where the referee applied a good advantage before going back to caution.

At the stroke of 90 mins Blackstones went 3-4 ahead following a corner. The Rushden bench went absolutely mad, wanting a foul in the build-up before the corner. However it was absolutely nothing in it and well in line with the referee's good and consistent line in foul detection. The ref went over to the manager to have a stern word, but could very well have dismissed him for his dissent.

Rushden pushed on to level the scores in stoppage time, but got countered on several times. At about 3:30 in the Blackstones striker looked to be in one v one, but was stopped by a slightly dubious looking offside flag by AR2. The striker kicked the ball way out of the park and was correctly cautioned for dissent under the circumstances.

Rushden launched the free kick high into the box, and after a couple of bounces the ball was skilfully placed info the bottom corner with a left-footed strike.

4-4 looked like a very fair result in a cracking game, that was marred by the horrible behaviour of the home side. The referee was in my opinion quite good and very brave. His detection of Law 12 offences was excellent, though his card management in the opening left a little to be desired for. He was spot on with the red card, a penalty area simulation and the no-foul before the 3-4 goal. In my opinion he could also have booked the home keeper for time wasting and dismissed their manager, but it was perhaps wise to not do it.

He seemed to communicate well with players and captains, and managed the game's few instances of dissent correctly. Fitness and positioning was truly first-class.

Co-operation with his assistants was a bit of an issue in the beginning, as he was late with seeing the signals of AR1 (female!) on occasions. It got better as the game progressed though.

AR1 did a very good job with the offsides, though she could have been more communicative and preventive with the Rushden bench.

AR2 did an equally good job with the offsides, maybe maybe with the exception of the last call against the Blackstones striker who was through.

All in all a nice experience and a great game of football. Hope more county FAs enter exchange agreements like this one, as it brings some nice extra touches info our game.
Edited by bmb, Wednesday, 28. March 2018, 13:17.
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Another taste of step 6 was on offer at

Wednesday 28th March
NCEL Division 1
Campion 3 v 2 Brigg Town
Matthew Malton (Darlington);

The assistants were and still are listed on the league website as Michael Brown and Aaron McDonagh, but the mature AR2 (silver threads among the gold) looked remarkably like Paul Saunders.

Brigg Town, one of the country's oldest clubs, have hit hard times and slipped from the Evo-stik league to be at the foot of the table two steps lower. They appeared to have brought a glorified youth team and quickly if unsurprisingly found themselves under almost constant pressure, which they somehow weathered. Their first attack worthy of the name did not come until the 15th minute, when a lone striker found the net with a shot from outside the box. The players were giving Mr Malton little to do and he sensibly did not go looking for trouble, but his impressive sprinting ensured that he was always on the spot had he been needed. A strong tackle produced a warning for the Brigg number 6, ending with a pat fir Mr Malton. Campion appealed for a handball penalty - rightly rejected - but their mood improved a minute later when they headed the equaliser after a rebound from the crossbar. The Brigg number 8 received a yellow card on 41 minutes for a tug back, Campion being annoyed at not being allowed to take the kick quickly. The final minute of the half produced another Brigg raid, the Campion keeper this time parrying the shot.

Brigg offered a little more in the second period, beating the offside line on 58 minutes to go ahead once more, but the lead lasted a mere four minutes. Mr Malton's trickiest moment came on 75 minutes: Brigg broke down the right, with AR1 indicating no offside, but as the winger crossed he raised his flag only to put it quickly down again. Mr Malton whistled ... as Brigg put the ball in the net. Play was brought back for a free-kick to Brigg on halfway in front of the dugouts, not easy to explain away as the shouts of "What do you mean no advantage? We've just scored a goal" confirmed. There was a yellow for the Campion number 4 for involuntarily taking out an opponent who got in the way of his intended tackle. Campion's winner came on 84 minutes, the striker collecting a through pass, rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the goal, a disappointment to a brave Brigg side.

As indicated it was not a difficult match for Mr Malton to handle and the way he nipped around the field was impressive. His manner produced a decent response from the players and though he could possibly be a little more assertive in his posture (not easy if you disappear when turning sideways!) he controlled the game well. Quite what AR1's rogue flag was about though is anyone's guess.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Thursday, 29. March 2018, 22:02.
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Waterlogged pitches in Yorkshire meant a Trans-Pennine trip to a strange match at

Saturday 31st March 2018
Evo-Stik Premier
Ashton United 1 v 1 Mickleover Sports
Daniel Locker (Southport); Abid Hussain, Nigel Anderson.

The atmosphere between the two sides appeared good and Mr Locker was able to pursue a policy of non-intervention throughout the first half. He could, perhaps, have penalised Ashton a couple of times for nudging or pushing a receiver under the ball, but players seemed happy with this interpretation. Ashton had taken the lead as early as the third minute, when a misplaced pass out of the Mickleover defence allowed them to surge into the box, where a sideways pass allowed the striker to prod the ball home, despite a poor first touch. Midway through the half the Mickleover number 7 made a powerful run from halfway, the home keeper making a great save, ultimately in vain as the visitors headed the equaliser from the corner. That apart, the only thing of note was an injury to the home striker, requiring a lengthy delay as a neck-brace was applied with the Mickleover physio prominently involved, before he was stretchered off, with the visiting captain taking two of the handles.

As kettles of fish go, the second half could scarcely have been more different. The Mickleover number 10 was spoken to for a foul two minutes in. Ashton then had an appeal for handball; Mr Locker will not have had a good view as the player was running away from him; from the stand it looked a possible penalty; from the dugout (home!) it was a certainty: the best angle was Mr Hussain's and he was not convinced. Play continued, the ball was played long, Mr Anderson flagged for offside and it was the visiting boss's turn to be aggrieved as the ball went to the number 7 who, he claimed, had come from an onside position. MIckleover then missed badly and just after the hour the fun started. First came a yellow for a foul by the home number 6, soon followed by one for the visiting number 7 who, having again been flagged offside, tapped the ball a few yards past the keeper racing out to collect it. Next was the Ashton number 3, for tugging back an opponent, with a colleague pleading his case. On 71 minutes the Mickleover skipper put in a strong tackle that must have been worse than it looked from the stand. Summoned for a lecture he saw the notebook appear and jumped angrily in the air. His mood did not improve when Mr Locker's right hand went to his pocket to produce a red card, and a few not-too-choice words were addressed to the innocent Mr Hussain as he left the field. A worse-looking tackle by the home number 11 three minutes later could only mean one thing and the right pocket was visited again, Nobody could claim a lack of consistency. Forward seven minutes and the Ashton number 3, having lost out in a challenge followed the opponent and put in a needless second attempt, some time after the ball had departed the scene: his second yellow led to a third red card. There might even have been a fourth had the Mickleover number 2 made greater contact with a lunge in added time, but Mr Locker played an advantage, subsequently showing the final yellow card of the match. There was still time for a couple of chances for Mickleover, but they failed to convert them.

Mr Locker had only been seen once previously - on the line at Chadderton four years ago - when JCFC noted his pleasantly assured manner and expressed a hope to see him in the middle one day. He retains his pleasant manner and despite the flurry of cards in the second half received the usual civilities from the players at the end - or at least from those still on the field. He is an effective rather than elegant mover, adjusting his position well, and the need to rev up before embarking on a sprint was doubtless a function of the soft surface. Another look at him would be interesting to form a more reliable opinion, but it seemed that he did what he needed to do.

On leaving the ground on Tuesday, JCFC had seen a blue plaque, commemorating the Chadderton home of Terry Hall. Lenny the Lion had presumably declined one of his own, "Aw, don't embawass me!" On this occasion JCFC headed on foot back to Stalybridge station and passed one on the erstwhile home of comic actor Brian Wilde, known inter alia as Mr Barrowclough in Porridge and Foggy Dewhurst in Last of the Summer Wine.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Sunday, 1. April 2018, 16:45.
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Potentially had 4 matches to go and see over the Easter weekend but Friday's matches at Poole and Eastleigh were both called off early so gave up on getting to a match and made the trip up to London for the weekend instead. Took a safe option after the rain of making a visit to Haringey for the second Saturday in a row and their 3G pitch.

Sat 31st March
Haringey Borough 6 v 0 Mildenhall Town
Isthmian League Division 1 North
Ref-Paul Johnson Assistants-Gareth Mays and Stephen Matthews

Mildenhall had the first chance when a shot hit the crossbar. Haringey’s 7 had a shot go over and they took the lead after 17 minutes when their 9 shot into the top corner from inside the area. Mildenhall’s 9 had a deflected shot tipped over for a corner and their 19 had a shot go wide. Haringey increased their lead after 32 minutes when the ball was pulled back and finished by their 7 with Mildenhall complaining about what they thought should have been an offside earlier in the move. Stood behind the goal I could not tell if was offside or not. Haringey’s 11 had a low cross go right across goal just missed by one of his team mates sliding in. Haringey’s 3 was spoken to after complaining about a foul against him. Mildenhall’s 9 shot wide when through in the last chance of the half.

Haringey scored their third after 47 minutes when their 11 was played through and finished low into the net and they scored their fourth after 53 minutes when their 10 scored with a low finish. Haringey’s 11 was booked for a push which was obvious to all but he argued about the decision and carried on moaning to Mr Johnson after the card was shown. Mildenhall’s 11 was booked for a foul. Haringey’s fifth goal came on 61 minutes when their 9 headed in a cross. Before the game restarted, Mr Johnson was pointing towards the subs warming up in the corner and asking them to warm up at the other end away from Mr Mays. Haringey’s 2 had a shot blocked by the outcoming Mildenhall goalie. Haringey’s 17 was bought down in the area and Mr Johnson gave a penalty which from where I was sat looked a correct decision. Haringey’s 9 completed his hat trick by scoring the penalty low into the net after 72 minutes. Haringey’s 9 was booked a few minutes later for complaining too much after he had won a free kick and then he was immediately substituted. The final chance came Haringey’s way when a Mildenhall defender put the ball narrowly wide of his won goal.

I couldn’t fault any of Mr Johnson’s decisions and let some slight nudges and pushes go. Good movement and a good change of pace and was always up with play. Moved backwards at goal kicks. Positioning looked okay. Told players and signalled where he wanted throw ins taken from. Mixed at allowing advantages and when did left a lag to see if could happen but a bit frustrating on occasions when play could have continued and he blew for the free kick. An audible voice and could he plenty of vocal encouragement. Could be seen chatting to players throughout. Encouraged players back after goals from a bit of a distance and signalled for players to get on with things from early in the game. The grey haired Mr Mays and younger looked, bearded Mr Matthews both looked to get their decisions right with Mr Matthews in particularly flagging for decisions near him.
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Part 2 of my Easter football was-

Sun 1st April
Arsenal Women 1 v 1 Chelsea Ladies
The FA WSL
Ref-Paul Howard Assistants-Jeffrey Aldous and Andrew Tregoning 4th-Sunny Gill

Played at Boreham Wood on what looked like a good pitch especially after all the recent rain. Chelsea’s 24 had a shot tipped over for a corner and their 14 had a shot blocked by a defender. Arsenal’s 23 had a shot saved and Chelsea had a shot poked just wide. Arsenal’s 11 was spoken to after a foul. Chelsea scored after 31 minutes when Arsenal’s goalie kicked the ball straight to a Chelsea player who played in their 14 to score low into the net. Arsenal’s 23 and 11 both had shots blocked in quick succession. Arsenal equalised in injury time at the end of the half when their 23 run from distance cutting in from the wing and finished low into the net.

Arsenal shot wide early in the second half before Chelsea’s 10 shot over after their 14 had played the ball back after she had rounded the goalie but gone too wide to shoot. Arsenal had a shot deflected wide and then their 10 shot wide. Arsenal’s 10 was spoken to after pushing a Chelsea player. Arsenal appealed for a penalty which Mr Howard did not give and this looked correct even from standing near the other end of the pitch. Chelsea’s 22 shot at the Arsenal goalie. In injury time Chelsea’s 22 had a shot saved by the Arsenal goalies legs and Arsenal’s 9 shot wide.

Most of Mr Howard’s decisions looked correct though it did look like an Arsenal player was all over the back of a Chelsea player but nothing was given but this was the only thing I thought looked incorrect. No tackles worthy of a yellow card and dealt with more minor offences with a word with the player. A good change of pace and was up with play and positioning was good and took up some wide positions. Mixed back and forward running at goal kicks and movement was good. Signalled, was vocal and used his whistle to indicate where to take throw ins but did allow slight encroachments for free kicks when in the defensive half. Not many times could allow advantages but left a lag when he could before coming back. Not a loud voice but could hear some vocal encouragement and didn’t notice too much interaction with the players. Escorted and encouraged players back after the goals and again used his voice, signals and whistle to indicate to players to get on if he felt they were being too slow. Both assistants looked good and looked to get their decisions right.

Part 3 today is at a match that has been moved to be played on a 3G pitch and a new ground for me!
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Mon 2nd April
Brentwood Town 1 v 6 AFC Hornchurch
Isthmian League Division 1 North
Ref-Neil West Assistants-Adam Miller and Jamie Pope

Played at Aveley’s nice new ground on a 3G pitch. Brentwood had the first chance with their 3 curling a shot wide. Hornchurch took the lead with their 9 scoring a low shot after 3 minutes. They increased their lead after 5 minutes when their 5 headed in a free kick. Brentwood’s 4 was spoken to after kicking the ball away after a free kick had been given against his team. Brentwood’s 9 headed over and their 11 hit the top of the crossbar from a free kick. Brentwood’s 9 headed wide and Hornchurch’s 10 had a shot blocked by the Brentwood goalie. Hornchurch scored their third after 21 minutes when their 12 scored with a chip from outside the area. Hornchurch’s 5 shot at the goalie and their 12 had a shot saved for a corner. Brentwood’s 9 shot hit the outside of the post. Hornchurch’s 10 scored their fourth after 35 minutes with a shot from outside the area that went in off the crossbar. He was booked for taking his shirt off whilst celebrating. Brentwood had a long range shot go wide. Hornchurch’s manager was speaking to the officials as they left the pitch at half time but all seemed to finish in smiles.

Brentwood’s 5 headed over a corner then Hornchurch had a shot that was blocked by his own player who was stood in an offside position with Mr West letting play continue as the Brentwood goalie had collected the ball. Brentwood’s 11 and Hornchurch’s 8 were involved in a bit of an off the ball spat that Mr West tried to keep an eye on and told them to calm down with some suggestion that the Hornchurch player aimed a head butt at the Brentwood player but was not clear to me with Mr Miller maybe having the best view and Mr West spoke to both players at the next break. In the middle of all this Brentwood’s goalie dropped the ball on the edge of the area with some suggestion it was outside but play continued. Hornchurch scored again after 61 minutes when their 10 headed in a cross. Hornchurch’s 12 shot over from a few yards out. Mr West oversaw a Hornchurch substitution to save Mr Pope running back as he was stood in position for a goal kick. Hornchurch continued to create chances with a free kick saved and a cross across goal just missed by their 10. Brentwood’s 10 also put a cross right across goal that was missed by everyone. Hornchurch’s 12 was spoken to for dissent after a throw in went against him. Hornchurch’s 10 scored his hat trick after 83 minutes when he collected a poor cross field pass from a Brentwood defender. Hornchurch’s 8 was spoken to after kicking the ball away after his team had given away a free kick. Hornchurch’s 12 had a shot deflected wide and their 10 shot wide from a good cross. Brentwood scored with the final touch of the match when their 6 scored with a low finish from the edge of the area.

Nothing obvious decision wise that Mr West got wrong. Preferred to speak to players when they kicked the ball away rather than show a card. Not always the most energetic and on occasions preferred to walk back to the half way line. Was a bit of a change of pace but did seem a bit distant from play. Movement was okay. Had to move out of the way of play quickly a few times and didn’t really take up any wide positions. Moved forward and backward at goal kicks. Signalled where he wanted throw ins taken from and made sure free kicks where taken from the right places. Late in the game did seem to allow some encroachment at throw ins. Good at allowing advantages and left a lag. Heard some vocal encouragement but did not have the loudest voice and didn’t notice much interaction with players. Was close to players after the goals but didn’t notice much encouragement to hurry them back. Used his whistle to signal to get on with things and could also be seen holding his watch and a few shouts late on of “keep going”. Didn’t always look to count the whole 10 yards at free kicks. Both assistants looked to get decisions right but Mr Pope gave a very close offside in the second half and frustrated the Hornchurch fans in the first half by not raising his flag for offside until their player actually touched the ball.
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On Easter Sunday the programme for the week ahead was promising: Ossett Town on Monday, Liversedge on Tuesday, Chadderton or maybe Silsden on Wednesday and Garforth on Thursday. As so often this season though, the weather had other ideas: the first three days were washed out so eventually JCFC headed for the rearranged match at

Thursday 5th April 2018
Evo-Stik Division 1N
Ossett Town 3 v 4 Brighouse Town
Leo Howard (Selby); Elliot Shiers, Anthony Murphy.

In the intervening period Goole had closed the gap at the foot of the table to 4 points with matches remaining, making Brighouse's position look ever more precarious. Surprisingly - or maybe not, given that both Ossett and Brighouse have done better away from home this season - the visitors took the lead after just 3 minutes. Less surprisingly they soon found themselves under pressure, with their keeper looking less than assured. The equaliser duly came on 8 minutes, an attacker cutting in from the right, evading a weak attempt at a tackle and benefiting from the keeper's generosity. Two minutes later Brighouse went ahead once more, a cross from the left back being powerfully headed home. Another header, from a free-kick on the quarter hour gave Brighouse their third. Ossett Town have seen quite a bit of Mr Howard lately and were more familiar with his laissez-faire approach, taking advantage with a succession of blatant pushes which were not penalised. In the vicinity was the Brighouse Echo's Big Voice of Sport, who made his displeasure known. Whether Mr Shiers had been instructed not to flag, or had simply decided that he should match Mr Howard's policy of non-intervention, he too soon found himself on the receiving end of some choice comments from the same source. On 18 minutes the Brighouse number 9 felt that he had been fouled (he had!) and was so annoyed to see the nearby Mr Shiers holding his flag out for a goal-kick, that he struck it petulantly with his hand - an obvious act of dissent. Mr Shiers rightly flagged, Mr Howard came for a word and the offender was spoken to. To general amazement, no card was shown. Ossett soon pulled a goal back, a long range floated free-kick going in off the far post with the keeper's confidence falling still further. Brighouse had one appeal for a penalty turned down - JCFC was prepared to give the referee the benefit of the doubt, but the BVOS was not: "You bottled it!" was the repeated bellow, a view, interestingly, shared by the Ossett twitter reporter. A second appeal was turned down shortly afterwards: this one was clear-cut, an obvious strong push, but Mr Howard remained consistent in his refusal to intervene.

At the start of the second period, the word from the hospitality room was that while Ossett officials thought Mr Howard had not done badly in previous games, on this occasion he had been "dire" and they should have had two penalties against them. The balance may well have been redressed somewhat when a Brighouse defender threw himself down in front of the ball: his arms were obscured by his body from behind the goal, but the vehemence of the handball appeals suggests that Ossett may have been unlucky this time. On 65 minutes the Brighouse keeper made a great save, his best contribution of the evening, touching the ball round the post. As Mr Shiers was unaware of the touch, he signalled for a goal-kick and Mr Howard for some reason thought it necessary to go and consult, before awarding the corner. The clue was in the congratulations the defenders were offering the keeper. The visitors nerves were eased a little - but only a little - by a fourth goal on 79 minutes. By now the visiting midfielder had done his shift and been replaced. He is returning after a long injury and during this period had proved over-excitable, to put it mildly, on the touchline and in the stand and proceeded to make an utter nuisance of himself for the rest of the match, with the club secretary frantically trying to get the manager to keep him in the box. Ossett scored their third as the game went into added time, the keeper flapping at a high ball, leading to a header against the bar and another into the net. As Brighouse tried - in a highly amateurish way - to take the ball to the corner there was a foul resulting in a yellow card for one - or was it two? - Ossett defender. There was one late chance for Ossett, but a touch at the far post was wide. At the final whistle there was a brouhaha as the players left the field, Mr Howard sprinting to the scene, but the exact nature and outcome, if any, was not clear: the Brighouse secretary, though, dashed to the spot muttering "Jones! He'll get us fined again."

The gap at the foot of the table was therefore restored to seven points, easing the pressure slightly, but, given the poor quality of the football played, not greatly.
This was a third sighting of Mr Howard, who, without major problems, had not impressed greatly in the two previous matches, though the local paper had been less charitable than JCFC on the second occasion - "hapless" being the adjective applied. It was instructive to note the progression of the opinions of my former NCEL Referee friend on Mr Howard. An early "insipid" gave way to "inept", "weak", "pathetic" and "will he see anything?" The final remark was "It's a wonder there's not been a riot at the end." Mr Howard is probably a very nice man and appears to referee as if he does not want to upset anyone - it can work at times, but is not a good idea on the whole.

What a pity that Matt Sowerby, the referee originally appointed for Monday was not able to take this rearranged game.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Friday, 6. April 2018, 16:52.
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JCFC was more than happy with the appointment for

Saturday 7th April 2018
Evo-Stik Division 1N
Brighouse Town 0 v 2 Glossop North End
Lee Hible (Sheffield); Waqar Ahmad, Justin Carpenter.

Mr Hible was not immediately recognisable, as he has taken his role as a Joe Root double seriously enough to grow a beard and develop a slightly thinner cast to his features. The regular unneeded smoothing of his hair, though, was the giveaway.

Not for the first time, the home manager's use of the available resources raised many an eyebrow as the starting eleven looked distinctly lightweight. Glossop were stronger, without being particularly creative, in a largely uneventful first half hour. The repertoire of my aforementioned friend's verdict on refereeing performances was extended to include "diabolical." Fortunately he was still talking about Thursday's match, rather than Mr Hible, who was handling affairs efficiently, not that he had a great deal to do. It began to look as if Town might reach the break still on level terms, until a miscued header left the North End striker clear to beat the keeper: it was maybe as well that he did, or else an attempted tug back might have meant a penalty and red card against the Brighouse centre back. A cynical foul by the visiting number 6 rightly earned him a yellow card just before half time.

An all-too-easy second goal on 51 minutes finally persuaded the manager to start introducing some of his stronger players from the bench. There was a caution for the Town number 8 - the head case mentioned previously - for a wild challenge that fortunately missed its target. Brighouse had the better of the play for the remainder of the half, though the only good save required came from the home keeper, a brilliant acrobatic tip over the bar on 82 minutes. The saving grace was that Goole's loss to Scarborough meant that they did not close the gap.

Mr Hible did well - my friend concurred - in a relatively straightforward match, handled unobtrusively and effectively. If there was one minor quibble it would be that he could have been a little quicker to make his intentions clear on the two cautions, thus avoiding the suggestion that he was reacting to the reaction. Nevertheless he had a good game, supported by two pretty impressive assistants - Mr Carpenter even appearing to enjoy some of the jocular comments from the stand.
Edited by Jim Carr Fan Club, Sunday, 8. April 2018, 14:11.
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