Away at Brandon today for our last away game of the season.

Looking to build on last weeks excellent performance it was an unchanged team, with the exception of Jack starting in goal.

The weather was lovely and the game kicked off at quite a slow pace, Rutherford looking to pass the ball but the pitch wasn’t really conducive to pass and move football. Rutherford were slow to the ball, 5 yards off the man and really struggled to get moving.

The first goal came against the run of possession, the Brandon striker nipping in front of the Rutherford defenders and squeezing the ball home at the near post. Rutherford pressed again from the restart and forced a few half chances but nothing clear cut. Brandon broke again and played through ball to a striker in an offside position. Unfortunately the referee missed the decision and the goal stood. I don’t moan to much about referee’s, I think they do their best but this was a howler and set the tone for the afternoon.

2 nil down and we hadn’t really got started. Heads didn’t drop and Rutherford continued to press hard for a goal but the flowing football from the week before had abandoned us. Too many first touches were bouncing off, too many times we refused an easy pass, dallied too long in possession. It was wrong decision and after wrong decision. We couldn’t get Max and the attacking midfielders into the game. Half chances and corners came and went before Brandon scored their third. I’m struggling to remember the exact detail of the goal which kind of sums up the quality. The game had become scrappy, fouls and free kicks were all too frequent and the referee had lost control of the game following the earlier poor decisions.

Half time and despite being 3 nil down the mood was upbeat, we messages was to believe in our ability and move the ball quicker but once you’ve set your pace and tempo it’s a very difficult ship to turn.

The second half descended into organised chaos at times, the referee had lost control of the match entirely, Brandon player pulling shirts, blocking runs, ankle tapping players. Rutherford were behind the door when it came to fouls either, some daft challenges and needless free kicks given away which resulted in a melee in the centre circle. This resulted in a yellow card for Brandon. A later found out this was for violent conduct which I understood was a red card?

Shortly after Brandon scored a 4th, similar to the previous 3, long ball in behind, and the striker just getting to the ball ahead of Jack in goal.

The game was petering out with some more questionable decisions, a clear handball by Brandon in the box wasn’t given and the worst decision of all was when Max beat the final defender and was hauled down when through on goal. It’s a foul, a red card and not the first time Max had been fouled. He was kicked from pillar to post at times and did well to keep his cool. The ref reluctantly gave a free kick which was well saved. As I said to the referee after the game, I'm not advocating players are sent off or carded, especially at a young age but the players must learn the rules of the game and the referee must apply them correctly. How are players going to learn that a handball in the box is a penalty or a blatant foul when last man results in being sent off if the Referee doesn't apply the laws of the game correctly? These learning experiences are as valuable as learning to pass, control or any other aspect of the game.

Aodan was playing well on the left wing and played a lovely through ball to Max who shot just wide.

More refereeing drama followed when Max J was challenged late and Joe kicked in the head from a high boot. The referee just about got these decisions correctly but by this point it was too late, the result was all but confirmed and the bitter taste was firmly in mouth.

To add final insult to injury Brandon scored a 5th and Rutherford were well and truly beaten.

Tough game, poor result, terrible referee performance and a poor performance from Rutherford. I can’t fault the togetherness and determination to continue in the circumstances but the quality was lacking today, it has to be said.

Two games left, let’s put this one behind us and go again with a strong finish, playing the style of football we know we can.

MoM was Callum Shreeve who played very well at left back. Well done Callum

Rutherford AFC

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