At Albie Turner Field on May 2, the clash of Feltonmix Metro and Fencibles United was billed as the star attraction at the venue. The respective teams were fully conversant with the script, but sadly, it seems that that sent to the match referee, Waikato’s Trevor Stevens, was never received by him!!
That is the only conclusion that can be drawn after witnessing his inept display in this seventh round Bluebird Premier League encounter, which saw four goals shared by the teams, but left two Fencibles players with a couple of weeks where off-field comfort, rather than on-field combat, will be their main footballing pursuit on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Yet as a spectacle, it could have been oh so different. As one would expect of two competitive teams such as these, hard tackles, some more so than others, were de rigueur, while industrial language, uncondonable though it is, is part and parcel of the game. That said, some individuals do tend to abuse this “facility” to a greater extent than others.
Either way, not an eyelid was batted nor a peep heard from Mr. Stevens at the majority of such offences, when perhaps a word or two in an offending player’s ear, or the odd card here and there, would have earned the match official more respect from the people 200-odd folk had come to see - the players.
Consequently, four individuals were booked for trivial offences, while crimes more worthy of such punishment were overlooked. Until the 70th and 84th minutes, that is.
In the case of Paul Stevens’ dismissal, there is little evidence to suggest a “not guilty” plea from the defence could be offered. He abused an official, flag bearer Graeme West in this instance, and was duly punished for his misdemeanour, although he can be thankful that his parting shot wasn’t heard by its intended target, else his punishment would likely be even greater.
Shane Gillies, on the other hand, would have a good defence case, were he able to put one. There was little, if any, malice in his tackle, yet he was shown the red card for it. Bearing in mind that tackles of similar ilk, and worse, had been let go throughout, the issue of consistency is a valid one to raise at this point.
Sean Hird’s after-match comments were most pertinent on this, and captured the general consensus of opinion on the issue. Words to the effect of “I demand consistency from my players in training and on the pitch during a match. Are we out of order in asking the same of match officials?” were most apt, in light of Mr. Stevens’ display, which, when compared with his indifferent performance six days previously, when in charge of Fencibles’ clash with Papatoetoe, did little to suggest that much in the way of improvement had taken place in between times. Anything but, in fact.
Its little wonder Keith Garland proffered a back-handed compliment to the referee in his speech. “I thought you were tremendous - so good, in fact, that I hope we see you next year!!”
If you’ve got the impression that Mr. Stevens’ impact on the game wasn’t what it could have been, you’re right. But he wasn’t the only one on the pitch - 22 players provided a fair bit of the action to pay due homage to....
Fencibles hadn’t even settled down to the task when they found themselves a goal down in the fourth minute - Steve Nickson eagerly accepting the chance to punish some defensive hesitance in the time-honoured manner.
Steve Goddard almost extended Metro’s lead two minutes later, his chip, following the good work of Benny Hall and Danny McHenery, narrowly clearing Alex Hurstfield’s crossbar.
The goalkeeper’s legs came to Fencibles rescue twice in three minutes halfway through the first half, with Willie Thompson and Nickson the unwilling victims. Nickson’s effort followed one of the best moves produced so far this season, a flowing affair featuring Goddard, the shooter and the ever-unflappable Shaun O’Mara.
Further efforts, from Hall, Sean Hird and Kenny Harlock - his a header - followed, but in between times, Fencibles equalised. Gillies headed home a well worked set-piece in the 25th minute, Guy Reeves the supplier of a pinpoint corner.
Reeves went close himself before the break, as Fencibles gradually gained a foothold in the contest. Their grip on proceedings tightened markedly in the 52nd minute. Nik Viljoen’s flick-on for Reeves saw O’Mara block the goal bound shot, with Stuart Mair ensuring a corner, the outcome of which was duly thumped home from fifteen yards by Viljoen, a deflection notwithstanding.
This put Fencibles 2-1 up, but served only to spur Metro on. Hurstfield saved from Goddard, Nickson and O’Mara, while the second-mentioned Metro man fired wide just short of the hour mark.
Stephens’ early shower did little to disrupt Fencibles’ hold on the game initially, with Viljoen volleying wide in the 72nd minute. But, as we all know, a minute is a long time in football, and come the 73rd such time measurement of this match, the scores were level once again.
Thompson whipped in a corner which saw Hurstfield and Nickson in aerial combat. The ball avoided both players as it dropped, much to McHenery’s delight. He was on hand to nod in from close range, as Fencibles’ defenders reacted sluggishly.
From here on in, it was all hands on deck for the visitors, as the defending champions sought a winner. Harlock fired narrowly wide, while Hall hit a screamer against the outside of the angle with ten minutes remaining.
Hurstfield did wonderfully well to deny Nickson a clear shot on goal soon after, while the same player, following the unfortunate dismissal of Gillies - he, along with the effervescent Jason Collett, had a super game - rolled the ball agonisingly wide of the far post following a goalmouth scramble.
Goddard’s stoppage time effort whizzed over the crossbar, meaning the nine men of Fencibles had held on for a draw. Their performance, while not notable for the number of scoring chances created, was memorable for the harrying and hustling of Metro players when they were on the ball, and it’s general workmanlike efficiency. Collett epitomised their effort - his best display for some time.
As I said before, though, as a spectacle, it could have been so different ... Oh my! What a referee!!

Result
Feltonmix Metro 2 Fencibles United 2
Nickson (4), McHenery (73) Gillies (25), Viljoen (52)

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