Burton Joyce Green U12 3-1 ECFC Gold Saturday U12

Having no league appointed ref, it was left to the home team to sort a ref, which one of their own coaches did, but coaching your own side while reffing the game is unacceptable in my eyes. It shouldn't happen and they should remain neutral at all times. Shocking decisions throughout the game which frustrated the boys and us manager's. The first half we just wasn't at the races and weren't passing the ball as well as we know the boys can. We did have chances but we failed to put them away. Burton opened the scoring with an early goal and then made it 2-0 with a penalty for handball in the box which I personally thought was harsh and thought it was ball to hand. Anywhere else on the pitch the ref wasn't giving handball, especially when his own players were handling the ball.

HT Burton 2-0 Eastwood

The boys came off at half time quite angry at the ref and I can't blame them, but we told them this is what happens when there's no proper ref. Some were saying let's go back out and cheat ourselves, but I said "No lads, cos that wouldn't make us better than them, let's just go back on that pitch and play the game the way it should be played, fairly but with a lot more fight and determination".

That is exactly what they did and we totally dominated that second half in my books. We kept their defence pinned in their own 3rd and were rewarded with a goal from Suarez, which at one point we thought the ref was going to disallow as he pointed for a goal kick, but changed his mind and allowed the goal. With our heads up we pushed for that equaliser, Brandon coming close, we hit the woodwork, Cam had 2 great chances. Craig had chances too but their keeper kept them out. At the other end, Jaydan made some brilliant saves, in fact both keeper were amazing today, but it was a sucker punch decision again from the ref, to award a second penalty, which they scored to make it 3-1.

I cannot fault any of the lads today as it was very difficult to play these games when you are up against the man in the middle as well as the opposition, but I am proud of the lads for going out there in the second half and playing some brilliant football. You can hold your heads high knowing that you played football the right way.

Today's Parent's Player was Brandon and Manager's Player was Cameron. Well done boys.