Sunday 13th October - Woman's FA Cup 3rd Preliminary Round

 Hello all.

Today was all about football, and what a terrific day it turned out to be, shared with hundreds of people—and I was lucky enough to be right in the middle of it all as the referee.

But before the excitement of the match, my morning started with something simple yet satisfying: washing my car. What could have been a quick task turned into a two-hour deep clean that I fully immersed myself in. I vacuumed the interior, polished every bit of plastic trim, and didn’t forget the boot. Then I moved on to washing the exterior, paying close attention to those often-missed spots around the doors. I scrubbed the lights, cleaned the alloys, and finished off with spotless windows.

It felt rewarding to give my car this kind of care. After checking the tyre pressures, topping up the oil, screen cleaner, and water, I stood back with pride. It hasn’t looked this good since the day I first got it, and I’m genuinely looking forward to doing it all over again next month.

With some time left before heading to my football match, I squeezed in a quick clean of my bicycle. I washed and polished the frame and wheels, but didn’t have time to replace the brakes or oil the chain. I’ll tackle those jobs over the next few days when I can, knowing they’ll make my rides safer and smoother.

Then came the highlight of the day—refereeing a Women’s FA Cup match between Washington FC Ladies and Woolton Ladies. Washington were up against a tough opponent, but the game was played in the best possible spirit. Woolton led 2-0 at halftime, but Washington pulled off a thrilling comeback, winning 3-2. It was one of those games where you just wish both teams could win because they gave it their all. The atmosphere was incredible, and being the referee in such a well-fought match was an honour.

I felt great in the middle of it, letting the game flow and getting the key decisions right. The only downside was a Washington player being stretchered off in the second half due to injury. I truly hope she recovers well and is back in time for the next cup round.

After the match, I stopped by to check in on my mum before heading home for a well-deserved bath, some relaxation, and dinner with the family. I consciously did very little for the rest of the day, soaking in the euphoria of such a thrilling football experience. Today was one for the memory books, and I’m so grateful for every part of it.