RateTheRef

The previous week's postponement had offered the possibility of sneaking an extra Vase match, though the previous evening's downpour had planted seeds of doubt in JCFC's mind.  Saturday morning brought encouraging news, but still doubts remained as the appointed referee had once caused our friend nemesis to fulminate against a postponement, with an odd reason apparently being offered. Two short train journeys and the 703 bus made for an early arrival to find that all was well at Stag Meadow for

Episode 13
FA Vase 4th Round
Windsor & Eton   1   v   1  Fisher
Jake Hillier; Marc Rister, Nigel Owen.
4thers Sam Palmer.

The Old Codgers rate of £5 included an excellent free programme. Among other things, it was discovered from its pages that Windsor Castle in its present from dates from the time when George lll chose it as his base. It also contained a list of planes to watch for during half time, arrivals or departures depending on wind direction. Some historically challenged individuals might wonder why George lll should have chosen a residence directly under the flight path.

There was much to like in addition to the programme - a friendly welcome, efficient catering and pleasant surroundings, the one, major, black mark being the stand. Why would anyone consider it a good idea to fill its wings with opaque glass, greatly restricting the view of the corner of the pitch?

Mr Owen was a replacement for the original AR1, but operated as AR2, with Mr Rister ( does he still drive around in R15TER?) promoted to bench side. Since previous sightings (middle at Haringey and line at Dunstable) he has acquired an unwise moustache, but retains the broad shoulders that make it look as if the hanger is still in his shirt. Brownie points, though, for his long sleeves. In contrast to the previous week's officials, County badges were sadly deficient.

There was a certain frisson from the start, with Fisher attacking dangerously, a shot being turned for a corner. This, in turn, led to a sequence of shots and blocks, before Mr Hillier blew for a free-kick for the defence, thereby ending the hopes for my "2 minutes" Golden Goal ticket. The pace of the Fisher attackers was not to be denied for too long, however, and the Fisher number 9, Kamara, gave his side the lead on 9 minutes. There was much good play - constructive attacks foiled by steely defence. On 38 minutes a strong Windsor challenge left his opponent on the ground. Fisher players were quick to ask Mr Hillier to exact retribution, a pair of Windsor team mates expressed a different view. Mr Hillier did well: he calmly moved all players away, before consulting Mr Owen, returning to show the home number 8 a yellow card. Good work by Windsor produced an equaliser from their number 9 on 41 minutes.

At half-time the list of flight arrivals was forgotten, as attention was distracted by the results of a raffle (for which JCFC had no ticket) the prizes being 16 in total,  with a varied list. Would the £50 martial arts voucher lead its recipient to require the subsequent 30 minute massage?

Fisher again started quickly, with a shot palmed away by the keeper, a further effort eing deflected over for a corner. When Fisher wished to make their first substitution, they had to borrow Mr Palmer's pen - the wise virgins of Windsor had their own . On subsequent occasions he kept his pen and completed the slip himself. Fisher always looked just a fraction sharper, a free-kick on 63 minutes producing a great save from the home keeper. As the match moved towards its close, conceding a goal would be fatal, so "They shall not pass" became the order of the day. As a result there were four late yellows for assorted holding offences and trips. One went to Fisher, three to Windsor. Unfortunately the second and third went to the same player in the space of three minutes, thereby ending his involvement in proceedings.

And so to penalties: Windsor's first was saved, as was their fourth, so Fisher had a chance to win with their fourth, but put it wide. Windsor converted their fifth, to draw level at 3-3, but Fisher's fifth was successful, to earn his side a trip to Punjab United in the 5th Round, not as exotic as it sounds, merely to Gravesend.

Mr Hillier was quite lenient in terms of pushing in the early stages and judged his level of involvement well, producing the appropriate cards when needed. His pleases and thank yous were clear, though at one point he did look to be shouting a rebuke. He was commendably firm in asking for throws to be taken from the right place. There looked to be plenty of vocal input, but it's content was not audible from the stand. It was nevertheless a good, effective afternoon's work, though JCFC's Stardust Detector did not register that highly. Many might think that a good sign.

In what day on gods green earth is that a penalty? Miley knows absolutely nothing about it.


Thank god it was saved.

What is the standard of review on appeal?

I agree fully with rustyref, I feel the on field decision should have stood for the reasons he gave. However, I do not feel a red card would have been a clear and obvious error either. Given after OFR a red card was issued, is the ban upheld as the red card decision, regardless of how it was reached, is not itself clearly wrong?

Quote from: bmb on Sun 18 Jan 2026 20:56

Quote from: bmb on Fri 16 Jan 2026 15:45

Quote from: aaa on Mon 12 Jan 2026 16:36

Fourth Round Proper

Sun 18th Jan 2026
AFC Bournemouth Women (First Team) v Manchester City Women FC (First Team)
F.A. Womens Cup    
Referee: Dennington, Sophie
Assistant Referee: Whiteman, Lauren
Assistant Referee: Gill, Lucy
Fourth Official: Broad, Ella

Really looking forward to this one.

Fantastic game. Girls v Ladies but so proud of everything AFCB Ladies have achieved over the 2 years or so. When the only defeat is against the best women's team domestically, that's pretty special.

Sophie Dennington was superb as well.

Well done to 3 amazing teams of ladies. Good Luck to Man City in the next round and beyond. Hope we see this team ref again as well.

Being someone who watches Brighton wsl as well as mens,L have seenSophie officate us twice and she is a rising star who I feel is going to the top

That's really good to hear.

Match officials for the 23rd round of fixtures, 30 January – 3 February:

LAZIO – GENOA     Venerdì 30/01 h. 20.45

ZUFFERLI

ROSSI L. – ZINGARELLI

IV:      DIONISI

VAR:     CAMPLONE

AVAR:      GUIDA

 

PISA – SASSUOLO    Sabato 31/01 h. 15.00

ARENA

BAHRI – DI GIOIA

IV:      MARIANI

VAR:      PATERNA

AVAR:      GUIDA

 

NAPOLI – FIORENTINA     Sabato 31/01 h. 18.00

LA PENNA

LO CICERO – BIANCHINI

IV:       MARCENARO

VAR:      NASCA

AVAR:       AURELIANO

 

CAGLIARI – H. VERONA    Sabato 31/01 h. 20.45

BONACINA

PERROTTI – ZEZZA

IV:      DOVERI

VAR:     GARIGLIO

AVAR:     CHIFFI

 

TORINO – LECCE    h. 12.30

SOZZA

BACCINI – COSTANZO

IV:      MARCHETTI

VAR:     AURELIANO

AVAR:    DI VUOLO

 

COMO – ATALANTA    h. 15.00

PAIRETTO

IMPERIALE – CECCON

IV:     MARINELLI

VAR:     CHIFFI

AVAR:     PATERNA

 

CREMONESE – INTER    h. 18.00

MASSA

PERETTI – LAUDATO

IV:     TREMOLADA

VAR:     MARINI

AVAR:     FABBRI

 

PARMA – JUVENTUS    h. 20.45

FOURNEAU

ROSSI M. – YOSHIKAWA

IV:     COLLU

VAR:     MARESCA

AVAR:       GARIGLIO

 

UDINESE – ROMA    Lunedì 02/02 h. 20.45

SACCHI J.L.

DEI GIUDICI – MORO

IV:       AYROLDI

VAR:     GHERSINI

AVAR:     MARESCA

 

BOLOGNA – MILAN      Martedì 03/02 h. 20.45

MANGANIELLO

ROSSI C.– CAVALLINA

IV:     PEZZUTO

VAR:    MAZZOLENI

AVAR:      GHERSINI


And for those with access to a time machine the officials for yesterday's Coppa Italia match between Fiorentina and Como:

FIORENTINA – COMO   Martedì 27/01 h. 21.00

AYROLDI

VECCHI – TRINCHIERI

IV:      ARENA

VAR:     CAMPLONE

AVAR:      FOURNEAU