The Referee scores a double hat trick...

...on yellow and red cards. It was a match I expected two classy teams to be playing each other. I figure I would have a couple of players each to manage, but that was it. SFC vs. UFC. As the opening whistle hit, the first 20 minutes seemed fine. Only one caution to a SFC player for a reckless challenge.

The SFC captain was fouled twice and I gave advantage on both counts. When he was fouled again, I realized they were either trying to hurt him, intimidate him, or just piss him off. Probably the latter because he is known for losing his cool and doing something stupid. I sent him off two years ago for headbutting a player.

After the next foul, I booked the UFC player #19 for PI. He knew because he didn't say much, but the others did on his behalf. I love teamwork. 3 minutes later, a UFC player chops a SFC player from behind, possible red, went with a yellow, but it was #19 again, so he had his marching orders.

Seven minutes later, SFC decided to return the favor and kick a UFC player, challenging for the ball, which forced me to send off a SFC player with a little assistance of my AR. So by half time I already had a hat trick in yellows.

Started the second half and I was hoping they would calm down. Called a PK against UFC when he tripped a SFC player on the line of the penalty area. Yes I was 100% sure. So one player decides to protest, not the foul, but the place where the foul occurred. He said, "It was out of the box."
I said, "No it wasn't."
He replied, "yes it was."
I said, "Nice try, no it wasn't"
He said, "But referee, it was on the line."
I said, "Thank you for clarifying that. Do yourself a favor. If you are ever arrested, don't represent yourself."
So the PK was taken and SFC scored their 3rd goal as it was now 3-0, SFC and it seemed like they would win.

Here's where it hit the fan. 14 minutes in the second half, there was a hard challenge between the two players, but #10 of SFC got the worse of the challenge. I started to turn to follow play when I heard, "I'm gonna break your fucking legs!" I turned back and saw the SFC player go towards the UFC player as ball was leaving the field of play. It looked like he was gonna push, but he extended his arms and a hand partially closed struck the UFC players face. By the time I got there I managed to get between them and keep UFC players with the help of their captain from making it worse. I then sent off number 10. The two captains then shook hands.
Things mellowed out as far as my responsibilities because I think they got the clue I was not putting up with any crap. However SFC series of unfortunate events were getting worse. UFC score a couple of goals back to back. The keeper was losing it. The bad part was the keeper was trying delay tactics until he was tired of me being on him like flies on crap. After 3 seconds I was telling him to put it in play.
Still the keeper was sweating bullets, cursing his back line for player more possession and not trying to score. In poker, we call that going on TILT. Sure enough, UFC managed to get that 3rd goal in.

At the end the score was 3-3. I was filling out the send off reports and #10 came to me as I was filling his and he said, "Ref, I'm sorry for putting you in the position to send me off." We shook hands as well as the captain.

I had a second game where Dave F was going for his 5. He had a good game.