Can You Feel the Nervousness?

I was very nervous about this afternoon. I'm not so sure why exactly, but today saw the first time I've refereed an adult's match in over a year. And even a year ago, I had only done a few. I have done plenty of youth matches, mostly around my age group, but there is something different about adult football.

For one, the matches are a 2.30pm kick off on a Saturday afternoon. It makes you feel rather professional! And secondly, adults have the ability to get under your skin more. Being a young referee, they know they might be able to get away with a few words because of my age. The general lesson I learnt in the few matches I did last season, was that adults can be more aggressive in their words, but know where to draw the line. In comparison with 16-18 year olds, who just whinge constantly until you get fed up with them.

2.30pm came, rather quickly, and I gave a shrill blast to call the captain's in. A strong first whistle signals the confidence, which is just what I did. My words to the captains though, didn't seem very strong and I wasn't really happy with how that and the first 20 minutes of the match went. I was incredibly nervous, not really stamping my foot down authoritively. It didn't really matter in hindsight. The first 20 minutes was a very shaky affair from everyone, with the windy conditions making it difficult to play. After that, and a couple of good decisions, my confidence grew quickly and it was all OK from then on. I still had to tell myself to wake up at half-time, but the 2nd half went much better, and overall I enjoyed the game. Only the one yellow card in the 89th minute, for the goalscorer who made it 2-1 to the heavy underdogs, who then decided to take his shirt off and whirl it around his head, Fabrizio Ravanelli stylee. (Google him).

For some reason, the Laws of Association Football, (I know, it is the official name!), state that any player removing his shirt or lifting it above his head will receive a caution. I am the referee, therefore I follow the laws! It is a stupid law I think though. It doesn't hurt anyone and an interesting goal celebration makes everyone smile, (except the team it was against!)

And yes, they are LAWS, not RULES!

So all in all, a good first game back. I'm in more familiar territory later on though, as the cup quarter-final for MAFC finally arrives. It's against the team who we beat in the final last season, but subsequently bullied us off the park earlier in this season. I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it to be honest. Their striker, if I remember correctly, was a nasty piece of work. In the afternoon, I am refereeing Brickhill Wanderers 'A' vs Brickhill Wanderers 'B', Under 18s, which will certainly be a challenge. But I'm looking forward to it! I feel after today, I am more than capable of dealing with them lot!

So be expecting a couple of match reports tomorrow! Apologies for the boring football posts, to anyone who is non-sporty. It is all I can look forward to at the moment. The only thing seperating weeks of boredom. But these weekends are certainly better than BP weekends!

Ciao.