Batch wants refs’ table

Wroxham manager David Batch is calling for the introduction of a referees performance table for all to see.

In the wake of the FA Cup exit at Dover, which saw Wroxham reduced to nine men, Batch says there needs to be a table for match officials to see which ones are performing and those that are not.

'There definitely needs to be a league table for refs, they are quite happy to print how many yellow and red cards every team gets, but what they don't do is publish what mark the referee is given,' said Batch, whose side will be aiming to halt a run of three successive defeats when they visit Diss in the Ridgeons League this evening. 'If there was a league it would be brilliant as it would make them accountable.'

Referee Charles Breakspear, 23, angered Batch for what he felt was a lack of common sense in the red cards for Josh Carus and Danny Self. Carus walked for a second yellow for getting in the way of the Dover keeper's quick kick just before half-time and Self picked up his second bookable offence for launching the ball over the main stand, as the referee still had the whistle in his mouth.

'You have to wonder why these people are refereeing at such an early age for. He didn't have a clue in how to talk to the players. There seems to be a trend going on at the moment in fast tracking referees at a very young age, but whether they are any good or not is a totally different matter,' added Batch.

The Yachtsmen will be aiming to get their league campaign back on track this evening after losing their previous two fixtures, at Brantham and at home to Gorleston.

They start the evening five points behind in-form Dereham with four games in hand.

The Magpies travel to Kirkley and Pakefield this evening while there is a Norfolk derby at the Wellesley where Great Yarmouth, beaten 8-2 at the weekend, host Norwich United.