Mark tops for going fourth

Repeatedly shepherding manic City boss Billy McEwan back into his technical area is certainly one of the busiest missions at the home of the Minstermen on matchdays.

But, when every City fan's favourite referee Mo Matadar had to retire with a calf strain 40 minutes into Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Rushden and Diamonds, rookie official Mark Dwyer leapt at the chance of incurring the wrath of McEwan.

Leeper Hare York League referee Mark had spent the majority of the first-half watching the game from the David Longhurst Stand.

Born in Litchfield, final-year York University student Mark is a big Aston Villa supporter but has adopted City as his second team since starting his biology studies and regularly attends games when refereeing commitments allow him.

Many people in his position might have been reluctant to reveal their refereeing qualification when the call went up for a level four official to present themselves for duty, preferring to take the rare opportunity of enjoying a game as a fan instead.

But Mark, 22, regarded PA announcer Rob Havercroft's appeal as the perfect busman's holiday even though he had left his contact lenses at home and had to don his glasses which he normally avoids wearing when officiating to avoid the inevitable flak.

"I was very keen without a doubt," he told the Diary afterwards.

"I've been at a lot of matches and always thought it could be a possibility as you sometimes see the referee get injured so, as soon as the request went out, I went down and gave it a go.

"I really enjoyed it and it went well until I had to make four substitutions in the 87th minute. It was nice of Billy and Garry Hill (Rushden's manager) to do that."

But, while the computerised scoreboard has been the cause of embarrassment for many a fourth official in the past, Mark operated it with all the confidence of a seasoned professional.

"I didn't do badly considering it was the first time I had used one," Mark confessed.

"The replacement referee quickly went through what goes on and showed me how to use the board when I introduced myself at half-time.

"He also told me that I needed to get the assistant's attention before making a substitution, do the paperwork and check footwear, as well as displaying the added-on time."

With a typically animated McEwan in and out of his dugout like a Jack-in-the-Box during the first-half, Mark was also under instructions to keep a watchful eye on both managers.

He added: "I was told they might try it on because I wasn't experienced.

"Billy came out of his box a fair bit but he was worse in the game's first 20 minutes. I had a few quiet words when I had to and he stood back."

As well as taking charge of games in local supply leagues, Melrosegate-based Mark, who was presented with a signed City ball after offering his services, is a qualified assistant at Conference North and UniBond League level.

Prior to his emergency stint at KitKat Crescent, Mark had ran the line at Bradford Park Avenue three days earlier and will carry out the same responsibility during Harrogate Town's home match with Barrow this afternoon.

The biggest match he had been assigned before Tuesday's game was a third round FA Youth Cup clash between Leeds and Hull City at Elland Road, but Mark has ambitions to reach the highest level. With no plans to leave York after his studies are completed this summer, he would love to emulate the achievements of local refs like Peter Rhodes, Graham Bradbury and Matt Messias and officiate in the top-flight.

He said: "Promotion is based on your assessment marks at the end of the season and I want to go as far as I can. I'm not too old yet and have had two years at level four.

"I've been refereeing since I was 14 and the next step would be refereeing at Conference North and UniBond League level and running the line at Conference and Premier League reserve matches."

Maximum man's lift

BILLY McEwan believes striker Craig Farrell was a worthy winner of our Press Player of the Month award for March.

Ten-goal Farrell received a framed photograph from City supporter Mark Woodfine before Tuesday night's 3-1 home win against Rushden, and McEwan believes the ex-Leeds United trainee is made from the same mould as himself.

McEwan said: "When fans see total commitment and 100 per cent effort they will cheer you off the pitch. I know that because I was that type of player. So is Craig Farrell but I would like to think all of my players are because it's one of the first things I look for when I bring them in.

"Ability is no good if you don't apply it with hard work. God loves a trier and you will get found out if you aren't.

"There's nowhere to hide out there on the pitch and the crowd know when somebody is not putting in the effort."

Pack is chased by Woolf

Martyn Woolford has moved up to third spot in the Press Player of the Year standings after two impressive Easter performances for City.

The former Frickley winger was our second-highest rated player after scoring a goal and creating one for Craig Farrell during the 2-1 victory at Burton to collect two points. He picked up a further point as our third-best man as City beat Rushden and Diamonds 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Tom Evans (Burton) and Manny Panther (Rushden), meanwhile, collected three points apiece for man-of-the-match performances.

Defender David McGurk (one) and Clayton Donaldson (two) also received points for their displays against Burton and Rushden respectively.

Woolford is now the leader of our April Player of the Month contest after sharing the readers' man-of-the-match poll against Rushden with Neal Bishop. As a result, both players receive an additional point apiece towards the award.

At Burton, McGurk was the outright choice of our readers, meaning he collected both bonus points on offer.

To be in with a chance of presenting this month's award, please email dave.flett@ycp.co.uk with your man-of-the-match choice from any of the club's remaining games. Your selection does not have to be the Player of the Month award winner in order for you to be chosen to make the presentation.

Press Player of the Year standings: Farrell 36 pts, Donaldson 32, Woolford 27, Bishop 26, McGurk 21, Panther 19, Goodliffe 15, Evans 13, Peat 13, Bowey 12, Lloyd 11, Craddock 9, Foster 8, Convery 7, Kovacs 7, McMahon 6, Brodie 5, Parslow 4, Dudgeon 3, Purkiss 2.

April Player of the Month latest standings: Woolford 4, Evans 3, McGurk 3, Panther 3, Donaldson 2, Bishop 1.

Stat attack

Goals: Donaldson 25, Farrell 10, Woolford 8, Bowey 7, Panther 3, Bishop 2, Convery 2, own goal 2, Peat 2, Brodie 1, Goodliffe 1, Kovacs 1, McMahon 1.

Assists: Donaldson 12, Farrell 10, Woolford 9, Bowey 6, Bishop 5, Panther 4, Convery 3, Brodie 2, Craddock 2, Dudgeon 1, Elvins 1, Goodliffe 1, James 1, Lloyd 1, McMahon 1, Peat 1, Purkiss 1, Stamp 1.

Bad boys: Craddock 1 red, 7 yellow; Peat 1 red, 5 yellow; Donaldson 1 red, 4 yellow; Farrell 4 yellow; Bowey 1 red, 3 yellow; Bishop, McMahon, Panther all 3 yellow; Dudgeon, Evans, Greenwood all 1 red, 1 yellow; Elvins, Goodliffe, McGurk all 2 yellow; Convery, Kovacs, Lloyd, Stamp, Woolford all 1 yellow.