RateTheRef

It was up two levels for

Saturday 27th October 2018
3. Liga
SV Wehen-Wiesbaden   0   v   0   FSV Zwickau
Eric Müller (Bremen); Lukas Benen, Simon Rott.

Wehen was originally a club from a small township in the Taunus, but rose through the ranks. In 2007 their ground was unsuitable for a short-lived promotion to the Zweite Bundesliga, so they moved to a new stadium in the nearby city of Wiesbaden, amending their name accordingly. Despite creating a new (rather pedestrian) anthem, the crowds -on this occasion 1830 - leave most of the stadium unoccupied. Zwickau, meanwhile - a town in many areas as grey as the team's shirts - have been upwardly mobile. The town is known for being the birthplace of Robert Schumann ... and the Trabant.

Herr Müller was promoted to the 3.Liga list in 2016 as part of a job lot of three unrelated Müllers, one of whom has this year been promoted to the Zweite Bundesliga list. Referees on the third and second division lists act as assistants on the league above as well as refereeing in divisions below, so they normally receive just eight games per season at their official level, nine if they are lucky. This was Herr Müller's third of the season - and oddly his second at Wiesbaden.

The officials were in long-sleeved yellow shirts, Herr Müller pushing his above the elbow, but retaining the black trim. He is quite tall, fair-haired and broad-shouldered and was to have a straightforward first period: a warning for a tug, a correct yellow for a late slide and a quiet word for something said when a team-mate was penalised - all to Zwickau players. Even so, the home captain, from his viewpoint as goalkeeper, wanted a word at the break.

Wehen came close soon after the restart, courtesy of a deflection which looped over the keeper, but safely out for a corner. It was apparent that Zwickau were content with what they had and their foul count increased, with three more yellows along the way. On 86 minutes one of the fouls was in the penalty area. There was jubilation in the home camp, but to a neutral it was no surprise when it was saved. Herr Müller had done a decent job of chivvying players along, but might possibly have added a couple more minutes at the end.

Herr Müller's sprinting is effective rather than elegant -he has to wind himself up to get going - but he was always on the spot, with use of reverse gear to adjust position. His lateral movement, by no means a given in Germany, was particularly impressive. His decisions appeared accurate and his general demeanour less detached than in many of his peers, in a way that pleased JCFC, but may not be what his lords and masters are expecting.

Two steps down again this afternoon!

PS: Two further things added to JCFC's confusion about regulations.
The first was when a trainer was warming up 6 subs in the corner.
The second when a player from each side collided in the goal area and were both required to leave the pitch after treatment.
I shall have to do some swotting!