RateTheRef

Mr Duckworth’s early career reviews on this forum were never particularly strong, with many describing him as “not quite there” or “manufactured.” Unfortunately, his performance at a cold London Road last night reflected those views.

He allowed an experienced Stevenage side to manage him throughout—slowing the game down, committing tactical fouls, and repeatedly going down for treatment. On each occasion, Mr Duckworth appeared to conduct his own medical assessment before calling the physio, consistently falling for the “dark arts” that Stevenage employed.

He began well, correctly cautioning a Stevenage player for a cynical early foul despite protests. However, from that point on his decision-making lacked consistency. Mandatory cautions for clear pull-backs were ignored, with the next yellow cards instead given for dissent, as frustration grew on what was a foul and a caution.

The biggest inconsistency came with two penalty decisions: one rightly awarded to Stevenage, but a very similar incident at the other end not given for Peterborough. These things can happen, but what was most frustrating was his management of set pieces. In a match already slowed to a crawl, he took nearly four minutes over each free kick—setting the wall, lecturing every player, checking the ball, then returning to the wall. The minimal added time was, frankly, farcical. Posh probably wouldn’t have broken down Stevenage regardless, but the handling was poor.

On the positive side, he covered the pitch well and tried to play advantages where possible. But on this showing, he appears to need more experience before progressing further up the ladder, as he was thoroughly outmanoeuvred by seasoned professionals.

Surprised to see that the bottom of the table match Posh v Blackpool has been given to Sam Mulhall.

Was expecting a little more experience for what is at stake.

However, as ever, good luck to all concerned this weekend. 

A strange performance from Mr Woods and one that I think will have taught him a lot.

Very brave to give the red card after 15 seconds, and it sounds silly but he gave himself  some thinking time.

After that gave a few soft decisions that appeared to be 'equalling up' but then changed again to not giving Shrewsbury some very obvious decisions including a second penalty.

After that nobody really sure what was a foul or not and Mr Woods did seem a little lost at time.

To his credit played 14 minutes additional time during the match which I liked to see, but based on previous officials 10 was what was expected.

Good fitness and communication and played some great advantages,  but sometimes he has to remember this is division 3 football and a free kick outside the area or in middle of the park to release pressure is what yhe fans and players expect.

It's a personal thing but wish we adopt the rugby system of going back to give a free kick, but that's a discussion for another day.

Local press and fans very dismissive of him, which after a home win says something about his performance which I thought was unfair.

So a mixed bag, some brave decisions,  some baffling decisions, but it made for an exciting game and provided Mr Woods with some interesting lessons which I'm sure he will take on board as he progresses his officiating career.

I agree with the above, when I first saw Mr Chilowicz he looked very good as I think he was officiating in a natural way, and I think I reported such on this forum, the last couple of times he has become very "showy" with exaggerated signals and sprints to highlight his authority,  neither of which actually does as it seems how he sells the decision is now more important than the accuracy of the decisions themselves .... getting back to his natural style will help in my opinion

https://x.com/NickDeary/status/1853084080088264995

Well spotted...and I haven't the excuse of being inexperienced

Mr Parkinson Peterborough v Stevenage
More than 50 years watching Posh and I have never seen a game delayed for 30 minutes because of a rain affected pitch.

Mr Parkinson correctly took the players off during a downpour on 65 minutes when the ball stopped rolling, and was calm and professional during his deliberations to get the game back on.

A small area of the pitch didn't drain immediately but he gave time for the ground staff to fix it, where it might have been easier to call match off.

As for his performance, it wasn't the most difficult match to officiate, and rather than a couple of very obvious missed advantages, nothing else to say, and not to bad.

He will have much more difficult matches in the future, but his calm approach to last night should hold him in good stead.