Whilst the referee’s performance didn’t have any say in the result, Marc Edwards didn’t exactly help Harrogate Railway in their hour of need.
As goalkeeper Karl Dean lay out for the count on the ground needing urgent medical treatment, Edwards was more concerned with catching the eye of the assessor in the stand.
Edwards played an advantage in the build-up to the Darlington’s equaliser last night which allowed Ian Brown to cross for Amar Purewal to score.
Purewal accidentally collided with Dean in the move causing the injury.
While the goalkeeper was down on the ground, the official ran into the penalty area with his arms high in the air still signalling for the advantage which had occurred two passes earlier.
The video clearly shows him running into the box with his arms raised, totally oblivious to the fact that Dean needed medical assistance just a few yards in front of him.
Even when Railway’s physio Mel Holmes arrived on the pitch, he showed no willingness to assist – he simply walked away when a stretcher or doctor may have been required.
With the help of the Railway players, Dean was able to make his exit.
But even when Dean was making a slow exit, Edwards was still more bothered about the assessor.
Edwards shouted to his assistant to tell him if substitute goalkeeper Lee Ashforth wanted to come on, he had to come on from the halfway line, not the away dugout.
Does it really matter in this situation? Sometimes there are more important things than assessor marks.
The video of the incident can be seen HERE from 3.23 mins.
The West Riding County Cup has started in farcical circumstances.
Ossett Town’s first round tie at Liversedge was abandoned after 78 minutes because a power cut with the hosts leading 4-1.
The result will stand.
Guiseley and FC Halifax then played out another first round game with teams made up of mostly young players.
Even 45-year-old Neil Aspin, who has not played for a few years, came on as substitute, coming on for his assistant Lee Nogan, who had been a sub himself.
Halifax only named three subs, Aspin, Nogan and young goalkeeper Ellis Halpine.
Officials of Stocksbridge Park Steels and Bradford (Park Avenue) may be interested to know that standing on grass banking is allowed at Bishop Auckland, the ground which Darlington 1883 currently ground-share.
Stocksbridge are Avenue are two clubs who have received a battering from the FA over grassy areas in recent years.
However, the same rule can’t apply to Auckland and Darlington as spectators lined up on the raised grass behind the dugouts during the 7-1 win over Harrogate Railway last night.