RateTheRef

With rail travel not recommended during the period of lying in state, JCFC had only one easily accessible tie to watch, but fortunately it provided a chance to see a recently promoted referee last seen in March 2015, when she was faced with two stroppy teams, but just about kept on top of things, performing better than either team. There proved to be fewer problems at

Saturday 17th September 2022
FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying
Liversedge   1   v   1   Chorley
Helen Conley; Dwayne Chappell, Waqar Ahmad.

Her first problem (if we discount having to talk to a boring old idiot during her pre-match refreshments) was getting the match started. It was one minute to three before the teams were led down the steps onto the pitch for the handshakes and net checks. There followed the minute's silence, all standing, but without removal of headgear. Silence this time was relative, as an afternoon match saw the presence of numbers of toddlers, who could not be expected to understand. Next came the toss and it was almost five minutes late that the match finally got under way, though this did not present a problem at this time of day.

Chorley made the early running, a fierce shot being blocked to provide the keeper with an easy catch and another effort being well turned for a corner. Liversedge gradually settled into the game, coming close after a defender miscued, and a minute later a low pass inside left a choice of two attackers to tap the ball in, duly accomplished, only for the offside flag to be raised. Midway through the half, a fierce Chorley shot was deflected over for a corner, from which a defender managed to clear off the line. On 37 minutes a late and unnecessary challenge brought a yellow card for the Chorley number 13, a late and equally unnecessary hoof of the ball by one of his colleagues, passing without any obvious rebuke. Just before half-time Chorley took a quick throw and caught the home side out, to take the lead. They had had the better of the half, though their twitter description of "dominant" seemed a slight exaggeration.

Ten minutes after the restart, another Chorley player kicked the ball 50 yards away, well after his colleague had been penalised - perhaps this is accepted at higher levels, as nothing was said. Just before the hour, Sedge hit the woodwork and the Chorley keeper received a yellow card for yapping or for time-wasting, an  excellent early intervention, if the latter. There was a very minor contretemps after a free-kick to Chorley followed shortly afterwards by a yellow for a Sedge player.  There were close things at either end, before Sedge were awarded a free-kick just outside the Chorley penalty area, which produced an unstoppable shot in off the opposite top corner. In added time there was a vigorous flag from Mr Chappell as a couple of players took a dislike to each other,followed by the inevitable gathering of the clans. When things subsided (quickly)  Miss Conley had a chat with her assistant, showed a yellow card to a Sedge player, having a little difficulty in locating the relevant Chorley man to receive the same treatment. All seemed sweetness and light at the end, however, as the tie goes to a replay on Tuesday, as, hopefully, will JCFC - but not the same one.

Throughout the game an elderly Liversedge supporter with a very, VERY loud voice had regularly been making his views known, largely concerning the shortcomings of his own side. with particular reference to the unfortunate striker, Walshaw. Just a couple of times Chorley players were advised that there was nothing wrong with them, while it was only very late on that Miss Conley was treated to "What are you doing, woman?"

In fact, Miss Conley had done a pretty good job. She is tall, but still very willowy, which perhaps deprives her of a degree of physical presence. A regular diet of steak pudding and chips could remedy this easily enough, though it would probably not do much for her fitness. Nevertheless, she controlled matters well and there were no complaints at the end (except perhaps gentle ones from JCFC, who disliked the Chorley habit of kicking the ball away!)

It all started in 1991 with the introduction of the fourth official who, I am sure was put in place to be the rubbing rag for rival managers and benches ----they must have a constant earache these days.

We used to have 22 players in matches officiated by three people in a physical game which was enjoyed by most fans who would then dicuss the merits of the said game and its officiating.
We now have a game with 40 players, any of whom could be involved in the game up to a maximum of 32 and the game is officiated by 4 onfield officials and 2 VAR people. The game is far less physical, thus it should be easier to officiate, however, a lot of fans to whiom I speak throughout the country moan like mad about VAR and the officials.
I am straight with them and ask them if they enjoy the game, some do and some don't,  however, they pay a lot of money and have to endure thte constant changes which are made to TLOG each season but which don't make  the game any better as a spectator sport.

Those running the game seem intent on trying to make it a 'perfect spectacle' however, they need to have a good look at just what has been happening in the last 31 years instead of trying to make it a digital festival. It is a simple game which is being made more complicated by needless meddling.