6.15pm 3 September 2021
Halifax and District League, Division Two
Thornton Cricket Club 2 Shelf 3 (att 18)
I've seen at least one game when a stand-in referee has used a mobile phone in lieu of a watch, but this was the first time I've seen one used instead of a whistle.
The appointed official failed to appear, but rather than postpone the fixture the teams agreed to play with someone from the home side taking charge. The only problem was the lack of a whistle, but that's easily solved these days with a smartphone and a downloadable whistle app.
It was less than ideal of course, but a lot better than no match, and credit to both sides for a sensible compromise that allowed their Halifax and District League seasons to get underway.
Credit also for playing the game in a way that made it easy to referee, and for providing an entertaining match.
It was settled in the dying minutes, as Shelf scored twice in quick succession to turn a 2-1 deficit into a winning 3-2 lead.
They'd earlier scored the first half's solitary goal, only to lose their advantage when Thornton CC scored twice to go in front. Both goalkeepers were busy throughout an enjoyable match, and both made some great saves.
Thornton Cricket Club Football Club plays, not surprisingly, at the cricket club. The football pitch is beyond the manicured cricket ground, and has a very rural feel, being a few miles outside Bradford.
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