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Saturday, September 09, 2023

Bewilderment at Scunthorpe as referee blows whistle five minutes early

There's been confusion at Scunthorpe today as the referee blew his whistle with five minutes of injury time still to play.

According to the hosts, who were trailing Buxton 2-1, the referee blew and disappeared down the tunnel ball in hand.

Buxton assumed it was because of the poor weather conditions and, with sheer delight, tweeted: "WE HAVE PICKED UP ALL THREE POINTS. GET INNNNNNN."

But that turned out to be the case, as Scunthorpe have since said the league will have to decide what happens next after the match was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

In the dying stages of the game, 10-man Buxton retook the lead. But, according to the match report from the hosts, "chaos" ensued.

The weather switched from "sweltering heat to a thunderstorm", it said, and four minutes into additional time, United were awarded a penalty and their best chance of the game.

Danny Elliott stepped up to take the spot kick but was denied by the outstretched boot of Zak Dearnley in conditions that were worsening by the second. 

Shortly after, the referee then blew his whistle with five minutes of additional time remaining on the clock "causing staff from both sides to question what would happen next, as the referee strolled down the tunnel ball in hand".

The report added: "It was later established the game was abandoned by the referee, with details set to be released regarding the fixture in due course once the referee's report has been received by the National League."

FA rules, according to the county group in Cumberland, are that if thunder and lightning are within 30 seconds of each other, then there is a threat.

"If possible, get inside as quickly as possible," the guidance reads.

Some fans replying to a Scunthorpe tweet agreed, like @LincsRef: "Just to clarify everything from a ref's point of view.

"The match was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions. You cannot play football in thunder as the FA does not allow it.

"Please support the referee for prioritising player safety."

But @simonseffers said: "The worst referee ever. I think he got two decisions right all afternoon and literally everything else was a lottery."

Then @bkrrdesign said: "If we have to replay this it’s an absolute joke of a decision and appalling from the league. Embarrassing from a club of your size."

And, the underrated comment of the days goes to @rick_derris: "Quite ironic Buxton being undone by some water."