By WhistleBlower
We can’t slate last weeks ref, with just one debatable shout for a penalty and that was about it, and we can’t really argue about the three yellow cards awarded against us, so a solid 7/10 for ref John Busby.
This week, and I’m going to rant again, not because of who it is, but the ludicrous decision by the EFL to send this week’s ref Anthony Backhouse all the way from Carlisle in Cumbria to SMK, a mere 538-mile round trip…. just bonkers, can that be right.
We saw Mr Backhouse on two occasions last season with both games ending 1-0, sadly just one of those in our favour, one a loss at Oxford United but at least the other was a notable game as we won 1-0 at home to those nice folks at AFC.
On that day Theo Corbeanu was handed his debut and immediately became a fans favourite, but the hero of the day was Franco Ravizzoli for his clean sheet against the old enemy. The decisive goal came from Matt O’Riley in the 30th minute, Eisa closed down the AFC stopper Tzanev causing panic in the AFC defence, the ball fell to Twine who laid it off to Watson who teed up O’Riley, he took a touch and side footed it into the net to send SMK wild with delight. Mr Backhose also made a big call in the game sending off Nesa Guinness-Walker for two yellow card offences in the first half.
Ref Backhouse made 38 appearances last season, booking 128 players converting two of those to double yellow offences, in addition he sent off just two players, and awarded just two penalties.
Mr Backhouse will be assisted by Michael Chard and Joe Simpson on the flags with Abigail Byrne as the 4th Official.
