Through the first half the players were all shouting for free kicks for pushing, and I mean at every long ball, throw in, goal kick etc. Now the defender (and this is for each team) did have his hands on the opponents back but I didn't really deem it to be pushing, just having their hand there 'marking' and the attacker was backing in equally as much. I let them all go but they just got more frustrated that I wasn't giving anything until one guy tried to make a point and deliberately put both of his hands into his opponents back and pushed him.. almost giving him whiplash if you know what I mean!! This was when a long ball was coming down. Now, on hindsight, it was probably a caution but, as I was still a bit apprehensive, I didn't even talk to him when I should have.
With about 20 minutes to go, the attacker and defender were side by side heading directly towards goal. The attacker is in possession and is nearing the goalkeeper. At this point, I am a bit behind play and I break into a sprint but as I go to push off I look down to the floor. It just seemed natural and I didn't think of it at the time. When I look up, the attacker is on the floor and everyone is going mad. I didn't see anything so I try to sell the decision by cutting the grass and shouting no and I felt like I was appearing confident that nothing untoward had happened. It is 3-1 at this stage and, just is my luck, the other team counter attack and make it 4-1. I'm not very popular amongst the away team. The game ends 4-1. After the game, I was talking to my mate who came to watch and he said that the attacker rounded the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper grabbed his ankle and pulled him to the floor. Oh dear! :(