Nobody knew if a second Assistant had been found after the appointed individual decided to travel with his father to another game.
With 30 minutes to go Steve turned up and then we were three.
The field was a bit soft being near the river, but nonetheless playable.
Bourne got us under way and we soon realised that these two teams were evenly matched with play concentrated in the middle of the park.
With such a dour battle tempers wore a bit thin, and the referee booked a player from each side just before the break.
The second half turned out very similar.
On a personal level two incidents which involved me caused great excitement to the Club Officials. Firstly, an alleged hand ball by a Winterbourne player in the penaly area. I judged that the ball had been driven towards the defender who simply ran into the flight, not knowing or caring where it struck. Others at a differnt angle to myself said later that it appeared the defender had dived at the ball. At the time both me and the referee were agreed that ball struck player and nothing given.
Naturally, this annoyed Cricklade because the player would have been sent off AND they would likely score from a penalty kick.
Mind you, that is the only way they would have scored, and, that is still doubtful.
So, I was accused of costing Cricklade the game, and yet, in a further incident, I flagged offside for the Winterbourne player who netted the ball thereby incensing the visitors.
I reckon that offside saved Cricklade fro being beaten! Had I been different on two incidents the score would still have been level at 1-1, although United would have to play with 10 players, giving Cricklade a slight advantage for 40 minutes.
In the event, the Cricklade Manager was reported for remarks made to the referee after the game.
I also asked the referee to caution a Winterbourne player who didn't agree with the blade of grass I asked him to take a free kick on.
Then, after the final whistle, I discovered that Steve had also asked the referee to caution a Cricklade player who had been slagging me off on the far side. A few Brownie points down at Cricklade......just for doing the job properly!!!
ROLL ON NEXT GAME.