The hardest games I've done have both been Sunday League. Rogue Club Assistants, no team sheets, ragged side lines, Stella Artois, whacky backie, 3 off in first half for violent conduct with another in the second half type thing. Give me the clear Rules of Step 5 footy over that virtually impossible riot. I've had challenging Step 5/6/7 games, but just find them more manageable because of the team of 3, the clear rules, somewhat safer environment and so on. Then also, the footy is more predictable at higher levels. I could go on, but maybe it just depends on our own personal experiencesDon't agree at all. Some of my hardest games have been at step 5, and in the same supply league as you, a referee with just basic experience would be way out of their depth. Not in every game, but certainly in the more challenging ones. I've also observed new L4 referees on that competition that have really, really struggled. I've also coached a L4 on that league (before I was an observer on it) who had a row with the away chairman during the game by the corner flag, abandoned it, and then immediately quit refereeing. That was an interesting phone call after the game
Sunday League is an entirely different kind of challenge, much less discipline and general unruly behaviour. At step 5, and even more so steps 3 and 4, you have players that have played at higher levels and they will absolutely jump on an inexperienced referee and be in his ear the whole game. They just don't have that level of footballing intelligence at Sunday league. I've refereed ex-Premier League players and they are a different animal. Junior Lewis when he was at Welwyn Garden City, openly told me that he was impressed he couldn't manipulate me like he could the younger referees. And I sent off James Scowcroft whilst he was playing for Bury Town for a very sneaky off the ball elbow that I was very lucky to see, he couldn't believe he had been caught out as he was used to getting away with it at that level. They might not be the brightest, but when it comes to football intelligence they are steps ahead of the majority of grass roots players. A new referee, even an ex-senior player, won't be able to cope with that.
Merry Christmas by the way. Can't have a Christmas Day without a brief foray and squabble on RefChat!!!