Mick
Life President
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Tomorrow's match sees Gavin Ward from Oxted refereeing his first Southend away match.
This is his third season as a League referee. He has refereed 5 home matches and I think he has got progressively worse in each one. His first three games went pretty much okay. They were the JPT defeat on pens by Dagenham, the 2-1 win against Hartlepool (who had Sam Collins sent off in that match) and last season's 2-1 home win against Swindon.
The fourth one was last season's home match against Bristol Rovers when he declined to send off the opposing goalkeeper for a handball outside the area. Notwithstanding that decision it wasn't the best of performances from Mr Ward.
For his final crowning glory, he mishandled the Gillingham home game this season with an astonishingly inept display producing 9 yellow cards.
He was an absolutely first class linesman. Lined in numerous Premiership matches and some full internationals. He is looking to replicate that success in the middle and therefore will probably be disappointed that he has been deservedly overtaken in the pecking order by several younger officials (even if they don't look younger). He seems to be trying to card his way back into recognition; I don't think it will work.
His last 8 matches have seen a huge 41 yellows and 3 reds. He also somewhat controversially abandoned the recent match at Plymouth with Barnsley 4-1 ahead.
Mike Blackledge of Cambridge and Harry Lennard from East Sussex will be assisting. Lee Collins from Surrey will carry out 4th official duties.
This is his third season as a League referee. He has refereed 5 home matches and I think he has got progressively worse in each one. His first three games went pretty much okay. They were the JPT defeat on pens by Dagenham, the 2-1 win against Hartlepool (who had Sam Collins sent off in that match) and last season's 2-1 home win against Swindon.
The fourth one was last season's home match against Bristol Rovers when he declined to send off the opposing goalkeeper for a handball outside the area. Notwithstanding that decision it wasn't the best of performances from Mr Ward.
For his final crowning glory, he mishandled the Gillingham home game this season with an astonishingly inept display producing 9 yellow cards.
He was an absolutely first class linesman. Lined in numerous Premiership matches and some full internationals. He is looking to replicate that success in the middle and therefore will probably be disappointed that he has been deservedly overtaken in the pecking order by several younger officials (even if they don't look younger). He seems to be trying to card his way back into recognition; I don't think it will work.
His last 8 matches have seen a huge 41 yellows and 3 reds. He also somewhat controversially abandoned the recent match at Plymouth with Barnsley 4-1 ahead.
Mike Blackledge of Cambridge and Harry Lennard from East Sussex will be assisting. Lee Collins from Surrey will carry out 4th official duties.
