I wondered how much time would elapse before Willington Boys' Under-15s' new coach found himself on the wrong side of a referee.

Last Saturday, I got my answer: 35 minutes! As a journalist, I have often berated the likes of Craig Bellamy for being "irascible", or possessing a "hair-trigger temperament" - pot, kettle, black.

As the ref lectured me for speaking out of turn, one of my players was writhing on the floor.

Andrew Robinson, a talented defender who has made a very good impression since I took charge, had just been scythed down.

Instead of playing the ball, an opponent played Andrew's leg - and left three stud marks on his knee.

There followed a rather ugly exchange between the two teams, full of rancour and recriminations, as a distraught Andrew was tended to.

It was then that I made my inappropriate comment - I won't repeat it here, other than to say it was not the most sensible of utterances.

To cut a long story to ribbons, the player that had fouled Andrew was summoned by the referee.

Having told me the offender would be booked, the ref brandished...the red card! As Andrew continued to receive treatment, one could feel little sympathy for the teenager who had been dismissed.

It was an inexcusable, nonsensical tackle. Andrew was on the halfway line, a yard from the touchline, and we were 2-0 down to the self-proclaimed Dream Team.

While my player was ruled out of the Teesdale Soccer Sixes through injury, his opponent was suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

Ten minutes later, there came a belated apology from their entourage and the offending player.

Yet as Andrew had an ice pack applied to his knee, their comments were diluted by their continued insistence that it was "an accident".

To illustrate the seriousness of the tackle, it was the only card - of either red or yellow hue - to be shown in the 28 group games on our pitch.

It left a nasty taste in the mouth, and ruined the day for Willington.

My team's assault on the Under-16 title ended at the first round stage. We only lost two games - to the Dream Team and a talented side called Angels. Two conclusive victories, plus three draws, were not enough to secure a place in the last eight from our difficult group.

For me, however, these pre-season competitions are not about results; far more important is that I establish what our players are capable of.

There were plenty of reasons to be cheerful on Saturday, despite our early exit.

We only conceded four goals in seven matches - two of which came from sloppy defending that can and will be stamped out. There was little to choose between us and the two teams that defeated us.

We would also have made a much better fist of it had we not had such a rushed preparation: we had only five players until two minutes before our first match.

And the football Willington produced was at times irresistible; one and two-touch moves that cut a scythe through helpless rivals.

Tomorrow, we will contest a five-a-side tournament in Jarrow. Until only a few days ago, I thought it was scheduled for next Saturday.

Somehow, I cannot picture Sir Alex Ferguson ringing his players on a Tuesday evening to see if they are available for the next game! Hopefully, my squad will do themselves proud - and this time I promise to keep my opinions to myself, lest I fall foul of another referee!