Drysdale takes Bolton visit - referee

Lincolnshire’s Darren Drysdale takes charge of a QPR game for the first time since 2013 this weekend as the R’s host Bolton Wanderers.

Referee >>> Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire), second QPR appointment of his career and first since way back in 2006.

Assistants >>> Richard Martin (Weston-Super-Mare) and Ian Rathbone (Northants)

Fourth Official >>> Lee Swabey (Devon)

History

QPR 0 Blackburn 0, Saturday December 7, 2013, Championship

Rangers looked more positive when they got Andy Johnson on the ball. He drew a foul from Dann while running at the Rovers defence for which referee Darren Drysdale showed a yellow card, and later sent in a low cross that Austin stepped over allowing Phillips a clear strike on goal but a remarkable save from Rovers keeper Simon Eastwood — third choice and making his first league start of the season — kept the scores deadlocked.

Drysdale had the book out again for Chris Taylor - who’d been crying out for a card long before it actually arrived in the sixty fourth minute following a series of fouls, dives and, ultimately, a hack on Joey Barton — and then again for Tommy Spurr despite the one-time QPR transfer target appearing to win the ball with a fair tackle. Taylor should have scored moments after his indiscretion when a cross from the right dropped in the six yard box but Rangers muscled up and cleared away.

QPR: Green 6; Simpson 6 Dunne 6, Hill 7, Assou-Ekotto 6 (Traore 87, -); Phillips 5 (O’Neil 59, 6), Carroll 6, Barton 6, Hoilett 5 (Kranjcar 59, 6); Johnson 6, Austin 6

Subs not used: Onuoha, Jenas, Henry, Murphy

Blackburn: Eastwood 7; Henley 6, Dann 6, Hanley 6, Spurr 6; Marshall 6, Williamson 6, Lowe 6, Cairney 6 (King 63, 5 (Dunn 85, -)); Taylor 6; Rhodes 6 (Campbell 76, 5)

Subs not used: Kilgallon, Judge, Rochina, Kean

Bookings: Henley 33 (foul), Dann 48 (foul), Spurr 64 (foul), Taylor 69 (repetitive fouling)

Referee — Darren Drysdale (Lincs) 7 Thought he allowed Taylor to get away with far too much before booking him, and then yellow carded Spurr rather harshly immediately afterwards, but other than that he had a calm, firm control on a dreadful game.

Reading 2 QPR 1, Sunday April 30, 2006, Championship

Langley then had a bit of handbags with Sidwell and we had the interesting sight of the referee holding Langley's arms down by putting his own arms around Langley and guiding him away from the others. The referee soon had them both shaking hands and it had all blown over. Sensible handling of the situation by the official and a good example of his level-headed control of the game.

But Reading managed to force some attacking moves and as the ball came in to the area, it hit Langley on the arm. The referee blew immediately for a Reading penalty and was surrounded by some Rangers players, who continued to complain. Presumably, they were arguing that it was ball-to-hand and accidental, but Langley's arm was away from his body so the referee really didn't have much option.

Dan Shittu, in particular, seemed to have the red mist. The complaining appeared to be going on for too long and you had to think that someone was going to talk themselves into the book. But the referee let the fuss peter out and eventually Gareth Ainsworth shepherded all the players away. Jake Cole tried to make himself big but went the wrong way and Murty smashed it into the net.

The relief of the home crowd was immense. Before the bit of pressure that resulted in the penalty, Rangers were having more and more control and mounting increasing attacks on their goal. They could see their party being spoilt.

If the Rangers players were upset by the penalty decision, they didn't let it affect their composure and continued to play an attractive passing game.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sidwell, Sonko, Oster (Hunt), Kitson Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey (Gunarsson), Doyle (Long)

Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin

Goals: Kitson 41, Murty 81 pen.

QPR: Paul Jones 7 (Cole 8), Bignot 5 , Shittu 7, Santos 8*, Milanese 7, Langley 7, Ainsworth 6, Bailey 6 (Ray Jones 7) , Donnelly 6, Cook 7, Furlong 7.

Subs Not Used: Evatt, Howell, Munday.

Goals: Furlong 73

Ref: Darren Drysdale (Lincs) 8 - Came into the game with a reputation for brandishing cards but, in this game, he seemed to be more interested in keeping the cards in his pocket. He controlled the game with a lot of common sense and was always keen to keep the game flowing. We may not have liked the penalty decision but having seen the replay, I can see why he gave it. He was very good at talking to the players, either warning them quietly to watch themselves or explaining a decision.

Stats

Seven appointments so far this season so far and, famous last words, no red cards. He’s shown 18 yellow cards, just four across his last three matches, but this is only his second Championship appointment after doing Forest v Charlton last month.
Last season he showed 102 yellows and seven reds 28 games. The reds mostly came in a mid-season flurry — five in ten games over the winter, hope everything was alright at home. He showed seven yellows and a red at Millwall v Wolves, and again at Mansfield v Tranmere, which were his busiest afternoons.
He last refereed Bolton in a 4-2 loss at Rotherham when they were 3-0 down at half time and 4-0 down after an hour. We’ll take a repeat thanks very much.

Other Listings

Championship >>> Andre Marriner drops down a division for Blackburn v Ipswich.

League One >>> Trevor Kettle, fresh from a vintage performance that left Preston playing with nine men against Wolves, has Burton v Southend. Lee Mason drops down for the derby between Doncaster and Barnsley.

League Two >>> Gavin Ward has Wimbledon v Barnet, Stuart Attwell (recently spotted back in the Premier League) has Plymouth v Crawley.

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Pictures — Action Images

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