Hero To Sort of Villain

I wanted to be the hero on Football Sunday and my wish came true. Although the game should never have really reached penalties, (we conceded an 86th minute equaliser for 2-2), in hindsight, I'm glad it did, as I saved 3 out of their 4 penalties to win us the tie! We move on to the final on 23rd April, which is a Friday... and I have to experience all of those nerves all over again!

There was no reason to be nervous. Once the game started, the nerves were replaced with adrenaline. I didn't have a lot to do all match. I made one very very good double save and a couple of 1v1's, (I even injured their pacey striker!), but otherwise I watched on as my team mates put in 150% to the cause. They did very well to keep their nerve in the penalty shoot-out aswell and I feel like I shouldn't really get all the credit! That's my last game for a couple of weeks as I have declared myself unavailable for next Sunday! Manchester people!

Anyway, I was a hero. Exactly what I had dreamt the night before whilst staring into space pointlessly trying to sleep. I didn't really have butterflies in my stomach. More like otters or badgers. The trouble with a match going to 30 minutes worth of extra-time and penalties is that we didn't get away from the place until 1.20. I had a match to referee at 2pm. Usually, you are supposed to be there half an hour before kick off, however, this was impossible. I got changed in the car on the way there and, after experiencing a tension-filled, adrenaline-busting semi final, had to don the black shirt and referee. It was tougher than I imagined. It took me a while to get into the game and the players were gobby little shits. I stamped down on the game with a couple of yellows however and things calmed down.

I had a good game. Another red card, for a 2nd yellow, there didn't seem to be many complaints. I was about to blow for full-time. I thought to myself what a successful day it had been. Just at that moment, the ball was booted, "route one", over the top to the Clapham striker. He was through on goal.. I was struggling to get a good angle. The striker goes round the keeper and is clipped by him. I hear screams of "PENALTY!" ... I wave play on ... what am I doing? That was a penalty and a red card for the keeper... why am I shouting "Play on!" What am I doing? ... 20 seconds later, I blow up for full time, knowing what was coming. Outraged players came up to me complaining. I didn't hear anything specific as there were so many voices. I knew I was wrong. Humans make mistakes! But that put a slight dampener on an otherwise very good day..

I rang the manager afterwards and apologised. He accepted the apology, even if it was a disgruntled acknowledgement and just put the phone down. I take my refereeing seriously and a mistake like that could cost that team the league. It finished 1-1. If we had lost this morning, followed by that mistake in the afternoon, I would be in a deep state of depression right now. That win this morning brightens things up a whole lot more however, and I'm determind to forget my fatal mistake and move on. Mistakes happen right?

5 days till Manchester. That time comes around quickly!

Laters x