The view from the Western terrace

National League South side Aveley visited Hayes Lane in Saturday’s FA Trophy fixture, but football wasn’t the sole focus of the fans on the Western Terrace.

This week’s Victim of the Western Terrace, as we like to call the assistant referee, was suffering from a problem I understand all too well: hair shortage. However, rather than go gracefully into the sunset, he’d gone for a Jack Charlton-style comb-over, highlighted rather ostentatiously by ginger colouring. It looked awful. But, and it’s a big but, he did an excellent job. Most notably, he was constantly telling the referee what was going on in his blind spots. This was refreshing.

Usually, we’re treated to an attention-seeker with a whistle who just happens to be wearing the same gear as the decision-phobic silent types running the line. On Saturday, however, we saw a team of officials working together to get the calls right.