Chillicothe 2, Athens 2

[pkp76]

Good match last night to start the season. An experienced, strong offensive Chillicothe team ties last year's Division II District champs. Chillicothe features two tremendous veteran offensive players backed by a mostly experienced starting team. Athens, on the other hand, puts a veteran defensive team on the field with many new players at the midfield and forward positions.

Chillicothe was able to possess the middle of the field more than Athens would have liked at times but the young players hung tough, the defense battled and Athens never trailed. If Athens matures as the season progresses, is able to control the ball better and work more within an offensive flow, the Athens team should be able to improve game by game and score more. Jeff Hammonds is going to be a force. The defense is predictable and solid. With even more discipline and intelligence, the defense has a chance to become something special in their senior year.

If you are team with Chillicothe on the schedule, prepare to defend. Drew Basil's throw-ins are amazing and the all-state striker shoots with unbelievable accuracy. Hopefully all the strong district teams will continue to play each other tough and we will produce teams at the end of the season that can compete beyond the district.

Way to start the year!

[Bucknuts]

A hard fought game by both teams. Athens defense was stingy. They play hard and physical. When they pack it in in front of the goal on such a narrow field to begin with it makes it tough to score.

One complaint: The call by the center official in the last 10 minutes of the game on Chillicothe's apparent goal to go up 3-2 was very poor.

Any officials out there want to comment feel free.

The ball was in front of Athens goal and both Chillicothe and Athens were fighting hard for it. (Athens to clear it and Chilly to put it in the net) There was a 3-man system in place for the game. The center official was right on top of the play looking on, just off the action. The linesman puts up his flag for a foul. The center official looks over, waves it down, then states "play on" to the players who continue to fight for the ball. Chillicothe scores and celebrates. The center official walks over to the linesman and has a conference, blows his whistle and says "no goal". This was not speculation. This is the way the center official explained his call to the staff.

What is the proper procedure?

If the center official planned on going with the linesman's call should he not have blown the whistle to stop play and either awarded Chilly the PK or Athens the free kick? A "play on" to me indicated that the center is on top of the play, has a clear view, and is not going to proceed with the foul, or he saw the call in Chillicothe's favor and let the try for goal continue.

The same official repeatedly called Athen's players by their first names during the game. I have never liked this. Very unprofessional in my opinion.

Other than that, a pretty decent job by the officials in a fast and physical game. (but the one call to take the goal away was a BIG one)

[soccernut]

Play on is for when the ref sees a foul and doesn't want to take away advantage.

Maybe when he discussed it with the side line it was a foul in Athen's favor when he thought it was a foul in favor of Chilly when he said play on. Did he just raise the flag and hold it or waggle it. It may have been an offside that he misinterpreted. Without seeing it it is hard too tell.

Did Athens get a goal kick, direct free kick or indirect free kick. The restart is the key to what they called.

[Bucknuts]

The center explained it as "a foul on a Chillicothe player" and awarded Athens the ball. It was not offside. That was all he would give. They 3 officials continued to huddle on the field 15-20 minutes after the game. (Not near the benches of course)

Thanks for the input...

[soccerfanatic]

Bucknuts,

Here's what the call was (info from our bench): Yes, the center wasn't sure who it was on, so he allowed play to continue and called "play on" in response to the flag. The center motioned for the flag to go down. After the play concluded, the center checked with his linesman and the flag had gone up originally because a foul was committed by a Chillicothe player against Athens. I saw the foul (#11 for Athens got fouled) and I believe it was a correct call. The Chilli player hooked his arm around the Athens player. Nothing horrible, but a foul. The play was near the linesman, toward the far side of the penalty area. Since the play was not an advantage to Athens, the ball was given to Athens at the spot of the foul. Although confusing, ultimately, it was the correct call. Had it been a foul on the Athens player, then it would have been a good call by the ref to allow play on (since it would have resulted in a goal). The Chillicothe foul nullified the play. The center was consistent with playing the advantage... after the foul by the Chilli player on the Athens player in the penalty area in the first half, the ref played advantage since the player for Athens regained his footing, but did not get an advantage, so the ref then awarded the PK.

I know some might disagree whether it was a foul or not, but the linesman was in good position, raised his flag immediately and stuck by his call. On judgement calls in sports, that's what you ask of an official.

I have seen the center work with referees in the area before and it's not unusual for them to stay and discuss the game. He typically does not run to his car like others. In other words, the meeting wasn't anything unusual.

[defender08]

The same official repeatedly called Athen's players by their first names during the game. I have never liked this. Very unprofessional in my opinion.

Agreed!