ONE non-league referee turned up at the wrong stadium 150 miles away, leading to a late change of officials.
Harry Wager had been due to take charge of his first Sutton United match – in South London – when they hosted Southend on Monday, but got his geography all mixed up.
The ref instead rocked up at Sutton Coldfield, on the outskirts of BIRMINGHAM.
The mistake was first reported just an hour before kick-off by local journalist Chris Phillips.
Wager got his bearings mixed up and went to the wrong Sutton – not that there is another in the National League.
He was due at the VBS Community Stadium, Gander Green Lane, but went instead to the Central Ground.
Sutton Coldfield’s first team play in the Northern Premier League Midlands, another few steps down the English football pyramid.
Driving between the two grounds would take over two-and-a-half hours on a good day.
The distance is well over 130 miles, depending on the route.
And Sutton could not prove themselves worth the trip back for Wager, as Southend ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
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All three goals in the space of 10 second-half minutes as Gus Scott-Morriss fired in twice just after an hour.
Slavi Spasov had put Southend ahead shortly after the break.
The result leaves the Shrimpers in a strong position to confirm a play-off spot as they move five points clear of Halifax in eighth with two games in hand.
Forest Green are four ahead but have also played two more than Southend, who are aiming to get back into the EFL for the first time since 2021.
This comes just weeks after a Barcelona fan ended up nearly 400 miles away from St James’ Park in Newcastle.
He went to Exeter City instead, watching them face Lincoln in League One rather than the Champions League.
Wager, on the other hand, will be hoping to make up for his error after mixing between League Two and the National League this season.
He has also been involved in some Premier League 2 games.
This year has been a promotion for him after mainly being handed National League South and North matches last term.
