Praise
I refereed Abbey lane & Sheffield Rangers U16's on a pitch that deteriorated throughout the game due to the continuous rain.
Abbey lane went 2-0 up at half time in a well fought encounter that continued in the second half. There was some good football played in the conditions and both sides played hard and fair. There was not a bad foul in the game.
Neither side complained to me about the state of the pitch. I have to praise in particular Sheffield Rangers as it would have been so easy for them having gone 2 down to complain.
The players and management behaved in a fantastic manner from both sides and the game was a pleasure to referee.
However apologies to the parents for making them suffer in the cold and rain and who then had to get the players home in their extremely muddy kits hope they had covers for the car seats!! Also to who ever it was having to wash their kits.
It was in my opinion junior football at it's best.
Matt Hardman
Referee & League Chairman