Referees for Burnley and Leeds matches confirmed
The referees for this Saturdays Sky Bet Championship match against Burnley and next Tuesdays match against Leeds have been announced. Both games will be played at Vicarage Road. For this weekends Sky Bet Championship match against Burnley the referee will be Warwickshire official Stuart Attwell. This will only be the second time that Attwell has refereed the Hornets with many Watford fans wanting to forget his one and only visit to Vicarage Road. Attwell was the referee who awarded Reading’s ghost goal in the Hornets 2-2 draw against Reading at vicarage road. After a corner had been swung in to the box, the ball bobbled around the box before the ball went out for another corner. That’s what both teams thought. However linesman Nigel Barrister thought that he had saw the ball cross the line and after some consultation Attwell awarded the goal. The ball never went anywhere near the goal and that’s why it has been remembered as the ghost goal. He has been remembered by Watford fans and many other fans for this to date and will certainly be greeted with a hostile reception at the weekend. Attwell has refereed 32 matches this season (13 of which in the Championship) and has handed out 100 yellow cards and 9 red as well as 6 penalties.
For Tuesday nights match against Leeds United, the referee will be Surrey based official Gavin Ward. This will be the fourth time that Ward has refereed the Hornets and will be his first Watford match this season. He last officiated the Hornets during the 0-0 draw with Milwall at Vicarage Road during November 2012. The surrey official has refereed 29 matches this season (4 of which in the championship) and has handed out 87 yellow cards and 6 red as well as 10 penalties. For the full appointments, please see below:
Watford V Burnley
Referee - Stuart Attwell
Linesman - Joe Clark and Richard Hulme
Fourth Official - Andy Woolmer
Watford V Leeds
Referee - Gavin Ward
Linesman - Matt Foley and Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth Official - Graham Horwood