The opening weekend of the brand new EFL League Two season didn’t run solely easily, as an injured assistant referee sparked a mad scramble for a alternative throughout Bromley’s goalless draw at Shrewsbury City.
A surreal scene unfolded halfway by means of the primary half on the Croud Meadow, the place play was halted within the twenty sixth minute after linesman Scott Chaulkley was unable to proceed.
With no spare officers out there, the fourth official stepped in to run the road – leaving no one to supervise substitutions or handle the technical areas. That prompted a exceptional second, as the general public deal with system issued an pressing name for assist: was there a professional referee within the crowd?
As gamers returned to the altering rooms and confusion reigned, Bromley’s social media group provided a blow-by-blow account of the chaos, posting: ‘The PA announcer is now asking for a professional referee. Soccer is again, girls and gents.’
A follow-up replace learn: ‘Proper, there may be nothing to report. We’re nonetheless ready for a professional official. Within the meantime, how’s everybody doing this afternoon? Good?’
After a 17-minute delay, the answer lastly arrived – within the type of Alan Cork, a Shrewsbury fan and Stage 5-qualified referee, who stepped out of the stands to take over as fourth official.
Shrewsbury City fan Alan Cork served as fourth official throughout Saturday’s recreation with Bromley
The 2025-26 EFL League Two season didn’t get off to a clean begin on the Croud Meadow
Because of the delay attributable to an injured linesman, there have been 17 minutes of first-half added time
Shrewsbury celebrated Cork’s intervention with an image and message on X (previously Twitter): ‘Shout-out to our new fourth official for the afternoon! Thanks for saving the day, Alan.’
As soon as play resumed, 17 further minutes had been added on to the top of the primary half – however neither aspect might discover a breakthrough.
John Marquis and George Nurse each went shut for the hosts, whereas Marcus Dinanga noticed two first-half efforts for Bromley both dominated out or despatched huge.
Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton handed out a number of debuts, together with a begin for ahead Anthony Scully.
Attendance on the Croud Meadow was 5,809, together with 280 away followers.
This wasn’t the one League Two fixture to endure disruption on the opening day.
Newport County’s 1-1 draw with Notts County was delayed by an hour after a medical emergency within the stands. Two air ambulances landed on the pitch at Rodney Parade earlier than the sport ultimately kicked off at 4pm.
As soon as it obtained going, the guests began brightly however fell behind early within the second half when Gerard Garner nodded in from shut vary following a protracted throw.
Jodi Jones drew Notts stage from the penalty spot simply after the hour mark, after Matt Baker was penalised for dragging down Matthew Dennis within the field.
Each side had probabilities to win it — Michael Reindorf struck the submit for Newport — however needed to accept a degree apiece.
