Referee: Martin Woods
Assistant Referee: Steve Rushton Richard Wigglesworth
Fourth Official: Paul Marsden
Martin Woods is a second-year referee whom we have had twice and would have had three times had last week’s game gone ahead. He was in charge last season as we hammered Barnsley in the EFL Trophy, where James Norwood was sent off for his elbow on young Jay Benn. This season, he was also in charge as we progressed in the League Cup, beating Notts County. In that game, he sent off Aden Baldwin, one of three players he has dismissed this season.
Last season, Mr Woods had the highest fouls per game total of any referee to take more than ten matches in League Two last season, averaging more than 26 fouls per game. That’s certainly calmed down – in his League One matches this season, of which there have been four, he is 34/55 for fouls per game and 34/55 for fouls per tackle, which means his ratio of cards to tackle is consistent and below average. He is 21/55 for yellows per game, so ever-so slightly more card-happy than most.
Here’s an interesting stat – since Accrington returned to the league in 2006, there have been seven red cards in games involving us and them, but only one for us. Scott Kerr was dismissed as we lost 3-0 there in September 2010, but that’s our only red. For them, Michael Welch and Peter Kavanagh were sent off on our first meeting since their return in 2006. Farrend Rawson was sent off in December 2017, but the card was rescinded on appeal. In November 2020, sub Sean McConville was sent off just minutes after coming on, whilst in April 2022, they had keeper Toby Savin sent off and still went on to win the game 2-1. Last season, Harvey Perritt was sent off early in the second half, after coming on as a sub late in the first half.
Finally, and this isn’t really of any value at all, but it’s a shame we don’t have Scott Kerr playing against Stanley. He only scored eight league goals in 223 outings for the Imps, and three of those came against Accrington. Away.
If this article seems familiar, it is because it is – it went live last week. With no change of officials, it seems silly making big changes!
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