#7 Simon Hooper, party pooper | PL Spurs (a)

I go to Northern League games regularly, and the level of refereeing in the ninth tier of football can be pretty suspect at times, as you’d expect. They, however, at least have the excuse that they make decisions based on what they see. They don’t have the privilege of having hundreds of cameras watching every move, and a team of “experts” telling them which decisions are right, and which are wrong. Honestly not sure I’ve ever seen a refereeing display quite like what I saw from the big lad today. I do believe bad decisions often even themselves out throughout the season, but that was an absolute shocker from Si and his boys. Fine margins costing the Reds once again.

The game was ruined the minute Curtis Jones got sent off, I thought. Had all the hallmarks for a great Premier League game - two much improved teams going head to head. However, once again, the Reds were down to 10 (then 9) men, digging in and trying to get something out of the game. Fair play to Spurs for eventually doing enough to get the win. If it was the other way around, I’d be delighted. Liverpool were out to frustrate them and they persisted until the very end. It’s just a shame the game was ruined by what I can only describe as an absolute refereeing shit show. As for the fellas in red, I thought they did well given the circumstances. Defended well, Alisson did what Alisson does best and they were unfortunate not to come away with at least a point. Instead, they left with no points, a half-arsed apology from PGMOL, two suspensions and a lad wearing a knee brace. What a day.