Reff'in Hell as Hornets hold Owls

Oh when will referees learn that every game doesn`t revolve around them as centre of attention! Just when a fascinating clash between the outrageous pace and power of Wednesday and the crisp passing game of Watford was coming to a head, step forward Mr K A Woolmer to steal the limelight.

The game actually ended 2 a piece with Wednesday laying claim to having control of the first half after denying their hosts space and time whilst Watford were worthy of taking the points for their second half showing alone.

But, in truth, whilst both teams played out a cracking advert for the Championship, it will be the antics of ref Woolmer (aka the drop ball king) that will make the column inches tomorrow.

Few reports will mention that Jermain Johnson made his usual nuisance of himself all afternoon at the heart of all things good for Wednesday, nor that Watford`s tactical switch at half time to 4-4-2 saw them take control of the 2nd period, nor Tommy Spurr`s delightful chip that Loach did well to keep out….

…it will all be saved for some balding, short official from Northamptonshire

Oh no. Sure, there will the odd passing reference that Watford keeper Loach dropped an absolute clanger (and an inswinging corner from Gray) right onto the forehead of Tudgay [20] to put the Owls in front - and rightly so - after what was an impressive 45 minutes from the visitors (some of the best we`ve seen of an away team at the Vic this season?)

No doubt Mark Beevers own goal [45+1] as he smashed home from a good 20 yards -under pressure from Priskin - to draw the Hornets level will get a mention- if nothing more that to encourage people to log onto Youtube if they fancy a right ol` giggle at a Yorkshireman`s misfortune (trust me it`s worth watching).

Watford didn`t have a shot at goal in the whole of the first half but still went in at 1-1 !!!

And of course Jobi McAnuff`s 56th minute back post header (and gorgeous little shove) on the end of a pinpoint Cowie cross will be penciled in to fill out the goal facts.



ut it will be Woolmer, his lack of a red card and a reversed award of penalty 7 minutes into 6 minutes of injury time that will be the headlines on the Sunday papers.

First the bumbling official failed to dispatch Wood to the dressing room on 81 after the Wednesday centre back hauled Priskin to the ground with the Watford striker through on goal. Tamas was livid at the flashing of a yellow card and not surprising - even Brian Laws said he was amazed it wasn`t red!!!!

Then just when Watford thought the official couldn`t get anything else wrong, Mr Woolmer - right on the spot - wrongly turns away calls for a spot kick after Harley tripped Johnson in the box with seconds remaining - only for the linesman to give it over 30 yards away!

Fair play it was a definitely a penalty and Franny Jeffers was coolness personified as jhe dispatched it high and handsome to claim a well deserved share of the spoils but boy, what a kick in the ol` knackers.

Mind you we should have known really. Mr Woolmer skirted around every big decision in the whole game all afternoon - Jeffers was lucky in our book to still be on the pitch after a petulant kick out at Loach whilst Watford`s Mike Williamson really should have seen red after 3 bookable offensives only got 1 card.

But hey, enough of the drama. Whilst Wednesday had their chances to put the game out of sight in the first half (Johnson shooting wide, Jeffers seeing a shot deflected wide and Spurr almost lobbing Loach with a lovely little dink) Watford who had enough chances to win it even with the last gasp heartache.

McAnuff was foiled by Grant from close range after some lovely build up play between Hoskins and Priskin and the Wednesday keeper did well to deny Williamson (M) as well as Cowie with the Hornets pushing on and having plenty of the ball.

Still the game will be all about Woolmer - and that`s just the way the officials like it these days.

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