Mick
Life President
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- Oct 28, 2003
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Tuesday's match sees Gavin Ward from Oxted returning to Roots Hall for the first time since he mishandled the match against Gillingham nearly a year ago.
This is his fourth 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 the season before last's 2-1 home win against Swindon.
The fourth one was also the season before last'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 last season with an astonishingly inept display producing 9 yellow cards.
Since then he took charge of our away win at Leyton Orient last Christmas time.
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 is working.
Hasn't really got going yet this season with just the nine yellows from 4 matches.
Regular vistors, Tony Mason from Kent and Oly Saliy from the Ukraine (and more recently, London) will be wielding the flags with Glen Hambling from Norwich carrying out 4th official duties.
This is his fourth 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 the season before last's 2-1 home win against Swindon.
The fourth one was also the season before last'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 last season with an astonishingly inept display producing 9 yellow cards.
Since then he took charge of our away win at Leyton Orient last Christmas time.
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 is working.
Hasn't really got going yet this season with just the nine yellows from 4 matches.
Regular vistors, Tony Mason from Kent and Oly Saliy from the Ukraine (and more recently, London) will be wielding the flags with Glen Hambling from Norwich carrying out 4th official duties.
