RateTheRef

The sunshine lasted throughout a trip to the far South - even further South than Horsham, Ref Observer - as JCFC made for Kempten (which competes with Trier for the title of oldest city in Germany.) Quite why the locals had moved from their normal Saturday afternoon slot for this one Sunday 13.00 kick-off is unknown, but it offered a pleasant outing.

Sunday 29th September 2019
Oberliga Bayern Süd
TSV 1874 Kottern   3   v   3   FC Deisenhofen
Stefan Treiber (Neuburg an der Donau); Moritz Hägele, Felix Wagner.

As JCFC arrived at the ground, so too did a Porsche, which disgorged the three officials. The 18 year old Herr Wagner shamefully had a bag with wheels, but eventually slung it over his shoulder as they neared the entrance.

The visitors looked the livelier side and a header from a free-kick on 3 minutes drew an excellent reaction save from the home keeper. Play was rather scrappy for a while, with numerous fouls. There was a rebuke for the home number 29 for lashing the ball when caught offside.The petty fouls became fewer and play more open. Herr Treiber  played a good advantage midway through the half, subsequently issuing a yellow card to the visiting number 22. Home fans were disappointed as a lovely ball in was missed by two attempts to head it home, but it signalled a period of Kottern dominance. On 33 minutes, however, Deisenhofen launched a counter and Herr Treiber played a brilliant advantage near halfway, resulting in a goal for the visitors - and a yellow for the Kottern number 21. The lead lasted just six minutes, a smart move, good cross and leaping header providing the equaliser. Two minutes later Kottern took the lead rather too easily.

Herr Treiber had to deal with an overreaction by the visiting number 5 after he had ended on the hoardings when challenged on the touchline, speaking to both players involved. A deflection by a Deisenhofen defender almost produced an own goal on the hour. There was a yellow for Kottern for delaying a free-kick. When the visitors substituted their far winger, Herr Treiber tried to point him off at that side, but he was scampering quickly and was allowed to continue as they exchanged smiles. Three times Deisenhofen came close, requiring a couple of fine saves, before they in turn were rescued by the post. With a succession of further substitutions, the game appeared to be dying, but the visitors produced an equaliser on 84 minutes. In the next minute the visiting number 13's SPA offence was rightly deemed Bad enough to merit a yellow. Kottern took the lead once more on 88 minutes, a good cross being misheaded so badly downwards that it bounced over the keeper. Stoppage time brought a scramble In the Deisenhofen goalmouth and then a visiting attack involving a block and the rebound fired over, just as Herr Treiber pointed to the penalty spot, seemingly indicating use of an arm. Treatment for an injured player, and protests delayed the showing of a yellow card until the kick was about to be taken. The kick was successful and the final whistle was blown immediately.

Herr Treiber's afternoon was not finished as he was treated to a long tirade from the home boss, who eventually left to shake hands with his opposite number. Two further, more conciliatory-looking approaches were made by other home officials, before the boss caught up with them once more some way short of the exit. Initially it looked as if he was about to apologise, but a further discussion followed, Herr Treiber having plenty to say this time as it carried on for several minutes, though it ended with the referee's arm round the boss's shoulders.

It seems unlikely that he will be receiving a good mark from Kottern, which is a pity as until the mystery of the last minute he had refereed well, in a sympathetic manner. It will probably not matter, as at 32 he is almost geriatric in German refereeing terms. His two assistants have time on their side. Both were hand changers, and SRA2 in particular contributed a number of good flags for fouls - though he needs to practise switching the flag before raising it.