RateTheRef

Another Saturday of rail strikes saw JCFC take the bus. It would have been possible to alight en route and watch the match between the top two sides in the division above, but the attraction of a match between two newcomers to Step 6, an unfamiliar ground and a referee with a splendid name proved stronger. This allowed time for an interesting eavesdropping on the bus to increase JCFC's limited knowledge of veterinary science: "A horse is just a pretty cow." Alighting at the right stop, the route worked out on the map was followed - to end at a recycling centre. Fortunately a pleasant green track was discovered and would have been enjoyable with all the Autumn colours still much in evidence, but for two worries - would there be a way out at the end and it would be totally impracticable for a return in the dark. Luck was in - the Slazenger Sports Ground was located in time for a pasty and a cuppa before

Saturday 26th November 2022
NCEFL Division 1
Horbury Town   3   v   2   Beverley Town
Lewis Pursglove (S&HFA); Matthew Collins, John Hislop.

The oddly-placed small stand would offer no view of the play, so JCFC was forced to stand throughout. Perhaps there are plans to bring the ground up to a better standard in time. To add to the growing Rate the Ref Hymn Book, Horbury was the birthplace of Onward Christian Soldiers, written when Sabine Baring-Gould was a young curate there. (St Gertrude came along somewhat later.)

The first half hour proved totally forgettable, but a rapid raid from halfway put the home side ahead on 32 minutes, only for Beverley to respond a minute later. A header from a corner just before half-time saw the visitors take the lead. JCFC spent the interval working out the "official" route back to the bus-stop: it involved heading in the opposite direction to start with.


Shortly before the hour mark a Horbury attacker beat his marker on halfway, and ran on to equalise with a strong finish. The winner for Horbury came on 74 minutes, the ball curiously trundling in slow-motion fashion through a group of defenders before ending in the net,

JCFC had expected the referee to be the standard tall, slim, dark-haired young template, but Mr Pursglove did not match that model; short of stature, stocky of build, well-endowed of posterior, fairish of hair and of indeterminate age. From a distance he might have been a fit 40-something, though at closer quarters he looked much younger. Whether he was young enough to be the Lewis Pursglove (middle name Joseph) born in Rotherham in 2000 is not certain. He issued two yellows, both to home players, and kept a firm grip on proceedings without difficulty, without adding greatly to the gaiety of the occasion, though JCFC's mood may have influenced that view. JCFC would be happy to see him again - a second visit to Horbury being less likely.

The walk back to the bus stop passed easily enough, with a wait of 25 minutes, and Huddersfield was reached in nice time for the 18.25 Bradford bus. Alas, it was one of the 40% of those listed on the departure board to show the legend CANCELLED. Another hour's wait for the next one, but at least the Bus Station offered seats and was warm - pity the poor souls waiting along the route.