The wettest pitch on which I've ever refereed and the home team played as if they were born in wellies, hardly changing their usual pace and movement. The heavy conditions required twice as much effort as usual and the superior fitness of the players over the ref ensured that there was a greater gap between me and the ball in play than at anytime this season so far. The only thing that saved me was that the game seemed to be played in just one half of the pitch most of the time.
We had our first ever game without the need to stop play for a shoelace tying - must have been extra training this week.
Quite a bit of banter coming from a few players this week - "How was that a corner" came from one very sulky looking lad! I did cause some confusion towards the end of the game when my concentration was being severely tested by a bout of dehydration following too much liquid intake the night before. I called 'blue thrown in' to some derision from the players, one of whom was quick to point out his team was playing in green and the others in Yellow. "How thick is this ref" was uttered under his breath - for the record - 54 inches, or 137cm at the Shoulders is my thickest circumference.
Great bravery from the visiting keeper this week who was the busiest player on the pitch. I stopped the game immediately when he took a blow to the head. He won the courage award of the week - closely followed by my 15 year old football boots who had not been tested by my weight for over 8 years. They have got their own back on my big toe.
I was quite relieved with FIFA's decision not to have the two extra officials in next years world cup matches. I could do without the extra pressure of scouts watching our games from now through to June.
This week your man in black was sponsored by Faustino VIII Rioja
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