Coalville Labour Club 4 - 1 Birstall Old Boys Reserves

Today I had my very first open age game. Coalville Labour Club vs. Birstall Old Boys Reserves

I felt confident but as kick off got closer I didn't and I greeted the managers and spoke with them, gave them the flags and obtained the subs names. I was out with Brooksy the other day and he doesn't do a captain talk, and so I wasn't really going to do one because I didn't know what to expect so after a few games I'd probably learn one, going by what to expect in open age games. The captains looked confused and said to me "is there anything you want to tell us ref, to pass on to our team mates etc." so then I went on a bit about how it's easy to caution for anything so if they can control their players it'll save me having to caution them. They were still a bit baffled by the short one but they got on with it. I think they could tell I was nervous because when they did the toss I forgot whether the winner had choice of ends or kick!! I remembered straight away after but I forgot long enough for them to be able to tell, I think.

45 seconds in... in a bit of a scramble on the edge of the 18 the defender knocks it back to the keeper and I shout "NO HANDS KEEPER" and then he picks it up. Now I think that if I hadn't have shouted this then the other team would not have shouted / appealed / noticed anything but as they'd heard me shout, well, I had to give the pass back. I managed the indirect free kick ok and got them all back but they were moaning but, fortunately, it came to nothing. Read More