Ben Atherton

@benforbesmalone have messaged you back - good luck!

@benatherton Yes please I’ll message you

Anyone got any advice on pre-match instructions to assistants? Got a CC final in the middle coming up and a bit clueless as to what to say lol

@benforbesmalone Done 👍

@benatherton Follow back so I can dm you pls

@DidcotTownFC Congratulations - a pleasure to ref a great final - enjoy the win!

Didcot Town Ladies produced a stunning performance to upset favourites Finchampstead in the Berks and Bucks Trophy final. Holly Ward and Lillie Tredgett scored as Didcot battled their way to a 2-1 win at the home of Penn and Tylers Green. Didcot started strongly. Marshalled by the defence of Aimee Foley, Caitlin Sear and Maddie Sheppard, Didcot restricted Finchampstead to few clear-cut chances, with Lucie Wilcox only forced into one first-half save. Wing backs Millie Jones and Ruby West offered an outlet out wide, and with Zoe Barnes pulling the strings in midfield and Bea Pratley battling strongly ahead of her, Didcot controlled the game from the off. Bella Jones and Holly Ward were finding space in attack and working hard to cause the Finchampstead defence problems. Holly Ward went close to opening the lead when her shot from the edge of the area hit the post. Holly didn't have to wait long to find the net. Bea Pratley saw her shot from the edge of the area saved by the Finchampstead keeper, and Holly was on hand to show boyfriend Tyger Hall how to finish with her left foot. (Sorry Tyger). Didcot expected Finchampstead to come at them strongly in the second half, but it was Didcot who continued to create chances. Zoe Barnes saw one shot go just over the bar, and then the keeper produced a fingertip save to push another shot onto the post. Lillie Tredgett came off the bench to offer fresh legs in attack, and she gave Didcot breathing space with a calm finish. Lillie got in between three players to lift the ball over the keeper and into an empty net. Charmaine White and Amelia Barlow both came on late on to offer fresh legs as Finchampstead tried to find a way back into the game. Finchampstead scored a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, but it was not going to deny Didcot, who celebrated soon afterwards their first trophy since they were reformed in 2024.

Enjoyed the game - congrats to both teams and my fellow match officials. 👍

Absolute screamer from James at his last game

Incredible game for Erin and the Caversham AFC u18s. Came back from 0-3 to win 4-3 in the sunshine. Very proud dad.

@NeilMellor33 nice - used to play RB for Heswall a million years ago

What a hit son! ⚽️ 🚀 My 16 year old lad opening the scoring for Heswall away at Marine Academy in West Cheshire League 😳💪 #goal #PickThatOut #GetIn #betterthantheoldman

A really enjoyable couple of hours with the students and events management faculty team from @ManMetUni in London talking all things pitches, agencies, impact and knowing your value. Decent views from the meeting room, too 👍

@GWRHelp Smart card (weekly season) was not loaded and neither ticket office at Reading nor gate line staff could help. Was let through gate but will this be the same at London PAD?

We’re updating how you book tickets online at GWR.com and on the GWR app from 22:00 on Monday 23 February 2026. To keep your journeys smooth, from Tuesday 24 February you will need to: 🔒 Reset your GWR account password 📲 Update your GWR app to the latest version Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) customers will also need to confirm their bank card details after the update to continue using PAYG. Planning a trip after 24 February? Make sure to: ✅ Save your booking confirmation email ✅ Download your eTicket PDF ✅ Add tickets from the GWR app wallet to your Apple or Google wallet Smartcard and postal bookings? No change - your tickets will be processed as usual. Collecting tickets from machines? Reference numbers will be available via email and My Account. The update happens overnight to minimise disruption. If booking or account access is briefly unavailable, we’ll post alerts on our website and social media pages. For full details on bookings, refunds, and changes, visit our info page at gwr.com/web-and-app-up….

When will @Deliveroo or @ReadingCouncil do something about delivery riders on electric bikes riding at night with no lights or high-vis clothing? So dangerous.

@conor_brn Someone recently shouted at me during a game “Lino, you could help him out there” which was super useful advice and something I’ll be looking to bring to future assistant referee performances. 👍

Somebody at the football just shouted that the ref ‘should have gone to Specsavers,’ which I found incredibly funny because it insinuates that the referee is visually impaired which of course would interfere with him doing his job well. Hope it catches on

@CavershamUnited Who is doing the inspection?

Pitch inspection due for the Sunday Reserves… What we saying? 👀

@pedroelchileno Yep - Thought it was odd that he gave the goal and then almost invited VAR in to sort it out. All happened very fast and maybe the processing time just wasn’t there. Right call in the end but messy.

Its embarrassing for the press to be speaking this way. They just look like they have no idea about the rules of the sport they work on. 1. Fouls dont cancel each other 2. If Haaland doesnt foul Szobo there is no goal 3. Ref can give advantage to the attacking team on Szobo's foul, he cant do it for Haaland's foul Its an absolute right decision, the problem is the ref did not call it in game when it was clear.

@FAWNL @OfficialOUWFC Love this. My daughter is neurodiverse in the same way and loves her football and her refereeing, too. Thanks for shining a light on this.

“When I play football everything goes quiet” 💭 @OfficialOUWFC's Maddison Millington-Stanbury is autistic and lives with anxiety, but on the football pitch that all stops 🧤 Watch her episode of Behind The Ball now: youtu.be/9nUHRtai6CE #FAWNL #BehindTheBall

Happened to have a few conversations with Lord Triesman in 2011/2012 around the Olympics. Genuinely nice guy and very helpful to me and our business at the time. Condolences to his family. theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

Absolutely buzzing that me and Erin both got @BerksandBucksFA County Cup final appointments this year. Can’t wait to work with our fellow match officials and see some great football across March and April. #Ref

@Davolaar First time at Wembley to see the reds, with my Everton supporting Dad! Only just made KO as the coach crashed on the motorway on the way down...

Ian Rush equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Everton in the Charity Shield at Wembley 1986, great goal!

@DaleJohnsonBBC Apart from a GK releasing the ball from the hands which is measured when the ball leaves the hand/fingers I believe. But probably super unlikely to need to judge that!

First contact, as written in the laws. Not when the ball leaves the foot or head. The VAR will choose the first frame when the ball has been in contact in the act of the pass or play.

@tntsports was there for it - one of the best things I've ever seen - crowd was going absolutely wild.

“The Flying Tomato” 🍅✈️ Shaun White shocked everyone at Vancouver in 2010 with these incredible snowboarding tricks 🏂