Arf
It was a lovely calm evening at Te Whaea. An intriguing
top of the table clash in the Women�s Central League
awaited between Marist and Wharfies. Three officials at
the top of their game mentally prepared for an epic encounter.
A purposeful Mohammed Safiq arrived in plenty of time.
Being a cheeky fella and having performed on the new
turf 400 times before, Mohammed took every advantage
of his extensive local knowledge and the high status of
the taxi industry by parking at the emergency entrance at
the top level of the turf. Only a locked gate stopped him
from parking right next to the surface.
The game commenced. A gripping match lived up to the
pre-match hype with counter-attack after counter-attack.
At around the 30 minute mark, the still air and crystal
clear night was broken by orange lights flooding the environment.
What the hell was going on?
An astute man, Mohammed scanned the environment.
His mind temporarily distracted away from his flawless
positioning. Whatever could have broken this man�s concentration
levels?
He looked towards his beloved mint 2002 gleaming white
fireball. The car that had served him so well over the
years. It was clear, now more than ever, that Mohammed
had to return the favour.
A hulk of a vehicle with flashing orange lights was precariously
close to his own vehicle, a lion stalking its� prey.
Mohammed could see an equally big hulk of a man tampering
with his baby, appearing to break it�s money-noobject,
state-of-the-art security system. A confident Mohammed
thought that surely this would prove no match
for a human.
Seven seconds later, the man was inside the car poking
and prodding away. Would this be classed as soiling the
taxi, Mohammed wondered aloud?
What would Mohammed do now? He was so near, but
yet so far away. He was a mere 50 metres from his car,
patrolling his line and the technical area. No man - or
woman - would pass...yet...he needed to stop this evasion
on his belongings.
Would Mohammed leave his post to protect and secure
his car or would he continue to protect the integrity of
the referee community by standing his ground. Of course
he would!
But clearly, Mohammed was getting nervous. The end of
the first half couldn�t come quickly enough. The man was
starting to finish his work. Would he make it in time?
An urgent signal to referee Lane that there was no additional
time to be played surprised Lane but nevertheless,
he shaped to blow his whistle the customary three times.
Somewhere between the first and second blow, Mohammed
was off like a wounded cat. None of this protocol by
running to his referee, Mohammed sprinted at a fair clip
towards the changing rooms and after a few moments appeared
with a silver key ring. Another sprint saw him diagonally
across the turf, albeit with a slight diminishing of
his original pace.
Would he make his prized vehicle before the hulk of a man
had completed the hooking up exercise?
Alas��...no.
The orange lights disappeared in the distance. His beloved
taxi and income following behind.
A dejected and somewhat grumpy Mohammed returned to
his position. The large crowd watching offered their caring
and kind words of comfort...yeah, right..but Mohammed
didn�t seem in the mood for this cheerful banter.
The game continued. AR Safiq held his dignity and position
to the end.
A taxi ride home completed the evening.
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
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I can just picture the sprint and the helpful comments from the spectators after.
. From what i heard half the girls from BNU wern't going to play central next year if they made it because of the commitment. probly a good thing because even if they had players missing they wouldn't have won with the amount of passion which they displayed today they didnt really look interested.
I don't know what exposure you have in helping run any component of Womens football in this city (hopefully you do contribute) , but it needs all the good volunteers it can get. Womens football can't afford ANY volunteers to reliquish roles...good grief... 
There are so few needing to do so much, everywhere you turn there will be a conflict of interest at one stage or another....live with it.
