RateTheRef
General Refereeing => General Discussion => Topic started by: Acme Thunderer on Sat 29 Dec 2018 20:12
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And lo, three wise men appeared from the tunnel at Gresty Road wearing brilliant y****w shirts for all to see. The two at the back were obviously wise because they had greying hair, but the chap in front was obviously in charge because he had that brilliant colour shining all the way up his arms to his hands. But would they bring gifts to the 3500 faithful? ;D
So to Anthony Backhouse and his team. My first impression was that I was looking at an earthly incarnation of Clatts, there was such a likeness - not particularly tall, slightly tanned features, long sleeves (? hiding tattoos?) and a seemingly unhurried style of refereeing.
The fun started after just a few minutes when the AR on the far side limped across the field whence he had come, presumably cursing the fact that he had been banished to stand in front of the 130 Stevenage fans. However, "fear not" said the man in charge, "because you will shortly see a fourth wise man in y****w", and instantly there appeared another man in shining shirt who took the place of the stricken AR on the far side. I had been thinking that I could run the line in my office shoes, but my services were not required after all.
The rest of the half was largely uneventful, save for the penalty which eventually won Crewe the game and which was a no-brainer from the point of view of its award.
As with the game on Boxing Day, the second half was livelier as Stevenage unsuccessfully chased the game. The yellow card eventually came out, a tad harshly in my view as the Stevenage player stooped to head the ball at the same time as the Crewe player tried to kick it. Two more cautions followed, rousing the Stevenage fans to chant "you don't know what you're doing" and then came the main talking point of the game as a Stevenage player clattered late into a Crewe player by the dugout, and after much discussion between Backhouse, the AR on the nearside and the stricken AR who was by now 4O, the red card was produced and the player departed for an early bath. I think there must have been a problem identifying who the culprit was, and in view of recent correspondence on RTR, I'm glad the officials got the right player in the end.
So Crewe won back-to-back games over the festive period, and there was much rejoicing in the town as a result.
I thought Anthony Backhouse had a decent game, and he was certainly better than Chris Sarginson on Boxing Day. I'm not sure he has had a very good press so far on RTR but I thought he was fine and would be happy to see him back at Gresty Road in the future.
Edit - sorry bmb that I made you sad for the rest of the evening, but I had to mention the officials' shirts which shone so brightly in the gathering gloom. Or at least I think that's what you're sad about ;D
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I think BMB needs to seek treatment for her xanthophobia
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I think BMB needs to seek treatment for her xanthophobia
No fear, just a complete & utter loathing! Gives me a really bad headache!
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Mr Backhouse seemed a reasonable official at NL level, but since his elevation to the FL only seen him twice. Seem to be more whistle happy and less inclined to let the game flow now.