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General Discussion / Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
« on: Thu 19 Feb 2026 14:36 »
It's well over 20 years since I officiated, but Rochdale is near my home, so I went along as I know one of their staff. The whole incident was something I have not seen before in almost 45 years of involvement in football.
it looked as though Darren Drysdale was struggling to keep players from encroaching into the area, and he was looking away from the ball when the Rochdale player started his run. About 5 yards before contact was made, the attacker clearly aborts his run up, and when level with the ball, he isn't even looking at it but is turning back away from goal. I can confirm that he did not make contact with the ball at any point.
One his way back (presumably to try again) a Scunthorpe player ran into the penalty box and argued that the kick had been taken. The goalkeeper then approached the ball, and Drysdale told him he could pick it up before awarding an indirect free kick to Scunthorpe.
I managed to overhear the referees assessor talking to a couple of people at half time, and he agreed that the penalty had not been taken and there should have been a re-take.
I think this mix up happened due to Drysdale not focussing on the player taking the kick and then him "guessing" that there had either been a tough of the football, or an attempt to take the kick; neither of which occurred.
My contact at the club has messaged me to say that the attacker heard someone say "stop" just after he started his run up although imho , he should have taken the kick in any case.
it looked as though Darren Drysdale was struggling to keep players from encroaching into the area, and he was looking away from the ball when the Rochdale player started his run. About 5 yards before contact was made, the attacker clearly aborts his run up, and when level with the ball, he isn't even looking at it but is turning back away from goal. I can confirm that he did not make contact with the ball at any point.
One his way back (presumably to try again) a Scunthorpe player ran into the penalty box and argued that the kick had been taken. The goalkeeper then approached the ball, and Drysdale told him he could pick it up before awarding an indirect free kick to Scunthorpe.
I managed to overhear the referees assessor talking to a couple of people at half time, and he agreed that the penalty had not been taken and there should have been a re-take.
I think this mix up happened due to Drysdale not focussing on the player taking the kick and then him "guessing" that there had either been a tough of the football, or an attempt to take the kick; neither of which occurred.
My contact at the club has messaged me to say that the attacker heard someone say "stop" just after he started his run up although imho , he should have taken the kick in any case.