Bodmin ref replacement rumour denied

[Richard Chown]

Thisiscornwall.co.uk ©

THE Cornwall FA have denied that referee Chris Stevens was replaced as the official for this Saturday's Peninsula League top of the table clash between Bodmin Town and Buckland Athletic at Priory Park.

Guardian Sport understands that the Fowey-based ref had been pencilled in to take charge, only three weeks after being the centre of controversy in Bodmin's 3-2 victory over Saltash United, when he sent off Bodmin player-manager Darren Gilbert and defender Sean Flynn.

Mr Stevens was also in charge for Bodmin's game against title rivals Plymouth Parkway, on September 26, when he booked nine players in a goalless draw.

Nobody from Bodmin Town was available for comment, but Guardian Sport understands the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League premier division champions protested at Mr Stevens' appointment.

But a spokesman for the Cornwall FA told Guardian Sport yesterday: "We can confirm that Mike Curtis is the appointed referee for Bodmin Town v Buckland, as originally received by us towards the end of October.

"He is not a replacement on our appointments information."

Bodmin were surprised when Mr Stevens was appointed for the game against Saltash, only 12 days after he took charge of the Parkway fixture.

The manner of his officiating of the Saltash game caused so much ill feeling that it became clear that if Mr Stevens was appointed for another match at Priory Park in the near future, the decision might be challenged.

Mr Stevens will be in charge of Liskeard's home game against Holsworthy on Saturday.

[Referee]

Hi Rich,

Yep, Mike Curtis is in the middle for the above game with me as one of the assistants. We were given this fixture in early October before Darren Gilbert got sent off the other week.

It's not a change, the original three are still the three in attendance this saturday .

Hope that clears it up.

By the way, what did Darren do to get sent off ? (Don't say he never did nuffin)

[Guest Postie Pidge]

For obvious reasons, Falmouth now have Adam Hopkins refereeing Saturday's game with Newton Abbot Spurs, as a result Steve Nute will officiate St Blazey's home game.