Frank Sideline was right there on the sideline, and Stevie’s take lines up with what he saw: two teams focused, tidy, and easy to manage..
Match: Muirend Athletic v West End Utd
Referee: Stevie McCulloch
What was the most enjoyable part of refereeing this match?
The most enjoyable aspect of this match was the manner in which both teams went about their business . It was obvious from early on that this was two football teams who wanted to play football and enjoy the 90 minutes. There was a lot of respect on display from both teams towards both myself and each other with only one occasion where I had to deal with dissent and the first example of reckless play not until the 92nd minute.
Was there a moment — a goal, a challenge, or even a bit of sportsmanship — that summed up the spirit of Scottish amateur football for you?
The introduction of the Muirend number 15 completely changed tha game and he was heavily involved in 3 or 4 of Muirend goals, demonstrating both pace and skill.
Any standout bit of skill, character, or respect from the players that deserves a mention?
The respect shown by both teams in general culminating in the most handshakes I’ve had from both squads and technical staff all season.
How would you describe the overall feel of the game — fiery, respectful, end-to-end, or something else?
Very respectful, end to end and definitely a game of both halves.
Looking back, how do you reflect on the match from the referee’s perspective?
An enjoyable experience and the behaviour of both sets of players allowed me to remain in the background and even when I awarded a penalty it was met with very little complaint. More of this every Sunday please.
Footy Focus season 25/26 
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