U-18s game yesterday two teams geographically pretty close together - had a good chat with the home team manager beforehand and he mentioned that some of the players knew each other - apparently the previous time when they'd played in the cup had been a bit of a nightmare; lots of heavy tackles and dissent.
Also, and this was something I'd noticed at a couple of youth games now, there were spectators there from the players' schools - obviously this isn't an issue - but on both youth match occasions prior to yesterday I've noticed that these spectators, who obviously friends with the players, tend to shout stuff during the game to make both teams get it into a bit more - cue heavy tackles and lots of 'tricks' presumably to impress their mates.
I called the captains in before KO and told them I was aware of the local rivalry and that it was their responsibility to keep their players cool - I also mentioned the spectators and told them to just get on with the game.
And despite my worry that it'd end up in chaos it was fairly good natured - if anything the players seemed to be enjoying it rather than trying to kick lumps out of each other - predictably, the away captain who seemed to be quite congenial at the beginning turned out to be the biggest problem player, he theatrically dived in the first half, it was ridiculous and everyone pretty much laughed him off - as soon as the ball went out I called him over to have a chat - should I have booked him? - he got arsey and was telling me he was fine and to leave him alone, I told him I wasn't coming to check he was okay!
He kept going throughout the game with little niggley fouls, comments to the other team - which was winding them up a bit - beginning of the second half I'd had enough and he got a booking, didn't hear from him again - then a final booking for an away player too.
Had quite a few shouts for pushing in the back - which is nothing unusual - and I pretty much made sure to shout 'remember to keeps arms/hands down please, boys' but still a fair few - is there a better way to address this, or am I always going to get these shouts?
All in all, local derby, two bookings and my first ever 0-0.
Also, and this was something I'd noticed at a couple of youth games now, there were spectators there from the players' schools - obviously this isn't an issue - but on both youth match occasions prior to yesterday I've noticed that these spectators, who obviously friends with the players, tend to shout stuff during the game to make both teams get it into a bit more - cue heavy tackles and lots of 'tricks' presumably to impress their mates.
I called the captains in before KO and told them I was aware of the local rivalry and that it was their responsibility to keep their players cool - I also mentioned the spectators and told them to just get on with the game.
And despite my worry that it'd end up in chaos it was fairly good natured - if anything the players seemed to be enjoying it rather than trying to kick lumps out of each other - predictably, the away captain who seemed to be quite congenial at the beginning turned out to be the biggest problem player, he theatrically dived in the first half, it was ridiculous and everyone pretty much laughed him off - as soon as the ball went out I called him over to have a chat - should I have booked him? - he got arsey and was telling me he was fine and to leave him alone, I told him I wasn't coming to check he was okay!
He kept going throughout the game with little niggley fouls, comments to the other team - which was winding them up a bit - beginning of the second half I'd had enough and he got a booking, didn't hear from him again - then a final booking for an away player too.
Had quite a few shouts for pushing in the back - which is nothing unusual - and I pretty much made sure to shout 'remember to keeps arms/hands down please, boys' but still a fair few - is there a better way to address this, or am I always going to get these shouts?
All in all, local derby, two bookings and my first ever 0-0.
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