RateTheRef

The title, of course, refers to the Non-League Pyramid, a term which does scant justice to the countless hard-working League officials throughout the country. Had it indicated the idea of the season gradually heading towards a peak, then with hindsight last season's thread would have been Frustum Forays.

However, having secured my ticket for an FA Cup Tie on Tuesday, I venture to set things in motion once again. All contributions welcome!

Heading North to add to my collection of Toms.

If only I had spotted  your name, I might have made an effort - but the best accommodation nearby seems to be the crematorium. So perhaps it's as well I have booked elsewhere.

Enjoy the game!

Was anyone at Stamford v Grantham last night?   

Friendlies can be such a nightmare!!

For the first time since March 15th JCFC left Brighouse. Both bus and train had plenty of space and by way of the hotel in Middlesbrough, there was no difficulty in reaching

Tuesday 1st September 2020
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Thornaby   2   v   0   Bridlington Town
Lewis Hardy (Hartlepool); Richard Brine, Tommy Brown.

The poor gentleman at the gate was feeling slightly overwhelmed, and in the confusion JCFC didn't get to pay for the ticket. Realising this some time later, he returned to the gate only to be assured that he had already paid. Fortunately the hard working club official (secretary Trevor, perhaps?) was eventually located and persuaded to take my money.

Two changes from the original appointments meant that the quest for another refereeing Tom was unsuccessful, though a Tommy on the line was a slight consolation. Mr Hardy was young, fair-haired and slightly built and bore sufficient resemblance to the online photo of the original appointee to raise doubts, dispelled by the appearance of a Durham badge. Mr Brine sported the North Riding version, while Mr Brown kept his provenance secret.

Bridlington initially looked dangerous, forcing several corners, but Thornaby gradually gained the upper hand, taking the lead on 25 minutes. Bridlington were through just three minutes later, but the shot was turned for a corner. A trip by the home number 4 drew a word of warning from Mr Hardy. Just before the break, Bridlington did find the net, but Mr Brine was already flagging for offside.

Thornaby began the second half with a rapid break, only to lift the shot off target. Thereafter Bridlington controlled the third quarter but were denied by several instances of last-ditch defending.On the hour a robust challenge by a Bridlington defender led to angry claims from Thornaby. An arm had indeed been employed, though not in the manner Thornaby claimed. It was on Mr Hardy's blind side and Mr Brine saw nothing amiss, so play restarted with a throw-in. There was one further moment of controversy on 72 minutes, when a defensive lapse let Thornaby in, only for the attacker to be taken down. He landed several yards inside the penalty area, but Mr Hardy was adamant that the offence took place outside, possibly a very good decision, but a view not shared by Thornaby. It mattered not, as the free-kick was fired low just inside the post. JCFC did not spot a yellow card for the offender - it surely merited one - but that does not guarantee that one was not shown. There were two late cautions for Bridlington, both utterly correct. Thornaby came close again with an added-time break, the keeper getting a touch to turn the ball for a corner.

Mr Hardy is a new Level 4, having apparently overcome a serious injury. His movement was excellent, with an impressive turn of foot when required, and he showed intelligent lateral movement. He could perhaps have taken closer order in the closing minute when Thornaby took the ball to Mr Brine's corner, but was not needed as it turned out. It was a very good performance overall, with a brisk, confident manner and it was good to hear the officials thanked by name on the PA at the end.

The walk back to the station threatened to be too long to catch the day's penultimate train, but a happy coincidence saw a bus stop, JCFC and a number 36 bus come together and Middlesbrough was reached in good time.

The good news for the citizens of Brighouse is that after five and a half months, JCFC was able to have a shower!

Not being a fan of friendlies, it will be necessary to head North again on Saturday, as the local leagues are not due to start for another fortnight. I wonder whether the unlucky referee answers to Simple? A chance for a little detective work there for anyone with nothing better to do!

It remains to be seen whether the following Saturday's Cup ties will have an available option.

Attending matches is more problematic at present, with the need to obtain a ticket in advance, without reference to PayPal and EvePASS - things that are way beyond the scope of this septuagenarian. So it was that JCFC ended up at what looked to be one of the more one-sided ties of the round at

Saturday 12th September 2020
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Ashton United   2   v   0   Squires Gate
Simon Kells (Manchester FA); Janzib Rigby, Gordon Weir.

Mr Kells, though operating under the aegis of the Manchester FA, is actually a refugee from Mutn3 land. In appearance he is fair-haired, shortish, slightly built and boyish - though in none of these does he quite equal a much-missed former referee from roughly the same neck of the woods. Mr Rigby is familiar from the days when he was merely JJ, leaving the tall, rugged blond man to be Mr Weir - as might be expected of a Gordon, somewhat older than his colleagues but some way removed from the "Bonny wee Gordon" of the song.

The opening exchanges - and indeed much of the match - was punctuated by stoppages as each side seemed determined not to let the other play: United's speciality would be gentle grappling, Gate's jumping at opponents rather than for the ball. Mr Kells picked them all up - there was nothing he could let go - but the result was not good watching. On 6 minutes the home number 5 and the away number 9 tangled after the ball had gone and feet and arms were brought into play, not particularly forcefully. Mr Kells caught the tail-end of this and called the two combattants. A more established official might have opted for plan A: a metaphorical knocking their heads together, with the injunction not to be so silly. A less confident one might have chosen plan B and issued a couple of cautions. In this case only the Gate number 9 received a yellow card. Perhaps the Book of Kells has only one page, or more probably the decision was based on the section of the tussle he had seen - an argument in favour of plan A. The Gate number 10 soon received just a word for idiotically jumping into the Ashton keeper, who had plenty to say, but appeared more than capable of looking after himself. Despite this chances began to appear - Ashton coming close three times, with Gate then taking over and having three chances of their own, but the location of the goals seemed elusive. The deadlock was broken on 28 minutes, Ashton taking the lead, lifting the ball deftly over the advancing keeper. Gate soon forced a good save from the Ashton keeper and then shot over to undo a good move on 40 minutes, before having a free-kick tipped over the bar just before half time.

In the early stages Mr Kells had been nervously patting his badge and, sure enough, for the second half it had taken early retirement. The visiting number 11 was cautioned for preventing the taking of a free-kick on 55 minutes. A great Ashton shot was then countered by an equally great save. On the hour Mr Rigby flagged - correctly - for a foul, and as a promising attack was stopped, the Gate number 8 joined his colleagues in the book. Ashton scored their second on 72 minutes with an excellent header, and were soon in on goal again, only to shoot wildly over. Squires Gate had a great opening on 82 minutes, but the attacker more or less contrived to tackle himself. The final excitement came in added tine, Ashton clattering the post. In the end, the game had been more enjoyable than it promised to be early on.

In some ways it was not an easy match in which Mr Kells could impress: he did try to look for advantage as the match progressed, but there was little success in that and he was then castigated for being hesitant and not quick enough on the whistle - by the same couple who had been complaining about the opposite. There's no pleasing some people! His assessment of offences was generally very accurate and as befits a young man, his movement was fine, in a match where play fluctuated rapidly at times. If he did not quite possess the air of authority of some colleagues, that should develop as he gains more confidence and experience at this level.

Meanwhile, over in Runcorn, Brighouse Town were making their annual foray into the FA Cup. As they took the home side to penalties before losing, that must be counted one of their better cup runs of recent seasons.

The next Round is scheduled for Tuesday 22nd - so there is a further problem as factors of transport and overnight accommodation have to be added to the requirements. May the draw be kind!

The next Round is scheduled for Tuesday 22nd - so there is a further problem as factors of transport and overnight accommodation have to be added to the requirements. May the draw be kind!

Well, fortunately it was - though not for my initial option. Train and accommodation booked, with an extra night for leisure - definitely not taking the waters there - and ticket for a match in a (fairly) nearby town printed off. In the meantime, there is the Vase this Saturday, with another (very) young referee in charge.