TODAY WAS ABOUT 4 OFFICIALS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

BASFORD CFC 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE FC 2

A few months ago I was informed of three officials who all passed their Refs courses 25 years ago together and not only have carried on reffing but remained good friends. I said I would come to the match they were all put on and today was the 25th anniversary, so off to Basford CFC v Ruddington Village FC, I weent, but thoughts were also in mind to a fourth official Chris Hunter who began his career in the Nottinghamshire Senior League and worked his way up the ranks, who sadly passed away last weekend, so a minutes silence was requested to all clubs from the league before all matches this weekend. Our thoughts go out to all Chris's family at this very sad time.

The kick off was pushed back a little before the players and officials entered the pitch, the three officials were then joined on the pitch by Nottinghamshire Senior League Chair Darrell Parkes and members of the Nottinghamshire FA who presented todays referee Mike McGill and his two assistants Ian Wilkinson and Ian Smith with framed certificates to celebrate their acheivement.

The minutes silence took place and the crowd showed their respects to Chris and a round of applause at the end of the minute. to be fair, the closest to a opening goal was when the ball bounced round the Basford box before being cleared and then the Ruddington keeper having to knock the ball over his crossbar.

As we were limbering up to half time in the 44th minute, STUART FRANKLAND fired the ball home from some 30 yards out to send the visitors in to a half time lead.

The Second Half began and the young Basford side were knocking the ball around nicely, but it seemed that they were struggling in the final third.

In the 57th minute, a corner from the right hand side, saw a bullet of a header in the six yard box in to the net by Ruddington Village's ROSS COCHRANE-SMITH to make it 2-0 to his side.

Basford seemed to get more in to the game, but the visiting keeper was equal with punching the ball away from set pieces to clear any danger, but as we entered the 84th minute, a MYKAH SKERVIN free kick from 35 yards hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped in to the net, to reduce the arrears.

Ruddington held on to the last surge from the homesters and gained their sixth win of the season.

All three officials were clapped off the pitch as they left as they had all had a good game.

To View the 133 photos, please click this LINK

After the match, Referee Mike McGill kindly donated £5 and Ian Wilkinson £10 and Ian Smith and his partner Karen Smith £10 to take the Charity Blogs Running Total to £194.50 in aid of the MND Nottingham Support Group, so a BIG thanks to them.

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