Chawton managed to scramble together 12 players for this division 1 game against Wey Valley Sunday, a side who had put 21 goals past Athletic in their two meetings so far this season.
The "Laundry Pitch" was basically frozen solid and so after some lengthy discussions between both Captains and the "referee" we decided to go ahead with the game, but review that decision after 20 minutes.
Chawton were looking to build on two improved performance over recent weeks, and started the game brightly, keep Wey Valley at Bay. Matt having won the toss decided to force Valley to kick toward to the more frozen end with a view that their silky football should have been harder for them to play.
After the 20 minute mark had passed the "referee" had chatted to both captains and all agreed that the game should continue, the decision to defend the totally frozen solid end sadly backfired as possibly an even tamer shot than that which evaded Matt's grasp last week took a huge bobble from the frozen surface and skipped up over the prone keeper and into the net.
Athletic kept up the pace and were doing well against a well organized Valley side. Valley added a fortunate second as a hopeful ball into the box again bounced awkwardly on the solid surface, and caught Bob on the chest and upper arm; the "referee" surprisingly had no hesitation to answer the Valley appeals in the positive and award the second dubious penalty against Athletic in two weeks. Matt was sent the wrong way and Valley had doubled their lead.
Athletic still battled away without creating many chances themselves, and were finding some success down the Valley left hand side. Athletic forced a few corners but were still unable to find a way through.
Valley added a third as a back pass left Matt with little option than to hack clear left footed ahead of the on-rushing Valley striker. Again the pitch played it's part as a bobble took it past the Keeper who was then pushed to the ground, the "referee" seeing nothing wrong with the challenge and the Valley striker rolled the ball past a retreating defender.
Chawton's heads were starting to drop a little and Valley added a forth before half time as a flick on at the near post from a long throw saw Matt manage to get his hands to it, only for it to drop to an un-marked Valley striker who volleyed home.
The fight had left Chawton completely as they kicked off for the second half and Valley soon added to their tally. Time after time the Chawton defence were shifted around by the swift play of Valley.
The "referee" intervened once again as he awarded Valley yet another penalty, this time Bob's closing down of the striker led to the Valley Man slipping and bringing Bob down with him. The booking the Chawton man received for the challenge rubbed salt in to what was an already very sore wound. Another highly dubious decision. Valley's Keeper took the Penalty, sliding a slow roller straight down the middle as Matt picked a direction to dive in.
The "referee" continued to influence the game as decision after decision went against Athletic and even several extremely shocking outbursts of appalling language did not stir him to take action against Valley. Valley took control of the game as tackles and niggly fouls in Athletic's favour were let go, and soon Valley had racked up 9 goals as Athletic tried to push on to get anything from the game.
The "referee's" day improved marginally as he generously awarded Athletic a penalty, to little too late if he felt he would try to balance the decisions from the other 80 minutes, Rich E calmly slotting home. The "referee" again choosing to ignore the astonishing language screamed directly at him by the Valley keeper, just incredulous.
Martin took over in goal allowing Matt to enter the fray up front. Athletic started to look dangerous on the counter attack and were exceptionally unfortunate not to as a through ball from Matt released a seemingly well-onside Liam who stroked home. Liam's questioning of the "referee's" decision lead to him going into the book, another quite astonishing decision considering the Valley keeper's behaviour regarding the penalty.
The "referee" finally called time on another disappointing 90 minutes for Athletic and you would have to question, on the evidence of the game, the decisions and the amount of time the "referee" spent fraternizing with the Valley players, whether the £30 fee was being topped up by the opposition. Matt has marked the "referee" as 4 out of 10 and will be sending an official letter of complaint to the league, 3 Games by that "referee" 3 shocking performances by him, surely it is no coincidence that he turns these efforts in against us!!
Athletic have another cup game next week, against the Royal Oak at Bohunt School. Here's hoping that the league see fit to appoint someone with a modicum of professionalism who is able to referee the game fairly.
No comments:
Post a Comment