Pagham boss: Arrogance of some SCFL referees is embarrassing

He spoke out after a stormy 2-2 draw for his side at Lancing last night, in which the Lancers had a man sent off and the Lions had one sin-binned.

Hardwell's view is that the new younger referees in the league are arrogant and difficult to talk to.

He was happy with the point Pagham earned, which he felt was well deserved, and said: "We could have had all three right at the end. I knew we were in for a hard night from the moment we arrived at the ground - politics do really play a massive part for away sides when your playing at the Sussex headquarters.

"However the togetherness of this group of players this season is fantastic and we showed massive character throughout the evening."

Hardwell is not impressed with the current standard of officiating in the league. He added: "The arrogance of the young referees in the SCFL right now is embarrassing - the old guard of referees are really missed, in my eyes as it’s very hard to have an adult conversation with the new core."

But he was delighted with the effort his team put in for a result which leaves them still flying high in the premier division.

"I was pleased we kept going throughout the 90 and were patient, still trying to play the football we’ve played in recent weeks, and got that deserved equaliser when makeshift forward Joe Clarke rounded the goalkeeper in injury time.

"Games are coming thick and fast at the moment and we face Peacehaven at home on Saturday. The support and numbers we’ve had at Nyetimber Lane recently has been fantastic so long may that continue."