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Well, another weekend has come and gone for the Tigers, and with it, another missed opportunity. Another 1-0 lead lost, this time to UNSW. Yes, a good result away to the team at the top of the league, but a match that could - nay, should -have played out much more favourably, both for the Tigers and for the neutral fans. Can you guess who's at fault?

Is it the players? The boys fought hard in the first-half for a one-nil lead, but they couldn't quite finish the job after the break. Still, I've seen far poorer performances get better results, and young keeper Simon could only be beaten in the end by an unstoppable strike. Mitch Bonus, Totaro up front and goalscorer Hardwick all led with stirring displays, but something was stopping team as a whole from performing to its ability...

Is it the coach? Though he did go back to the 3-6-1 formation that failed in last year's semi-final and his team have twice now thrown away 1-0 leads, coach Andrews was not at fault either. At the start of the day, a point away to UNSW would have been a solid result. Though the Whalies were missing some players from last year, the draw still leaves our boys in good shape for the match against Lakemba next week. With some stability in the side, the Tigers are well positioned to start putting a run together.

Is it Mother Nature? Though quite a gale was blowing down at Little Bay (known as Little Play by the locals), it hardly had much of an effect on the football apart from on the odd long shot or goal kick. Considering all the day's goals were scored against the wind, Mother Nature, like most mothers, should be ignored.

So who's left? That buffoon of a referee has to be considered. I predicted the match would be DVD-material last week: I wasn't wrong. Just don't look in the sports section down at Video Ezy - the game was comedy all the way. From the first-half's shambolic series of yellow cards, to the second half filled with more whistles than a wet t-shirt competition at a brickies' convention, the referee's decision-making ruined the game as a spectacle, and is blatantly at fault for preventing the Tigers from playing how we know they can.

Having played with more than a few refs in my time, I have no reservations about labelling this idiot's performance as the worst I've ever seen. The ref turned this game into a farce that didn't resemble football in the slightest. As far as I'm concerned, the Tigers might as well have drawn 1-1 in tiddlywinks, so trivial were the day's proceedings.

However, I can forgive the poor ref for having an off-game. Hell, I've had some shockers in my time. Yes, he doesn't look like a particularly calm, controlled ref, but - as I'm sure you'll agree - it's a tough job, and we all need as many refs as we can hold onto. My beef lies elsewhere.

In all my time playing in and watching the Soccer NSW State League, the worst refereeing performances occur when one of the much-feared 'inspectors' is present at the game - supposedly working with the refs, making sure they're doing the job alright.

What do these inspectors say to the refs? That they don't want to see any football? That there's a bonus for every five yellows dished out? Sure, maybe the ref gets nervous at these matches, what with his job on the line and all. But surely if there is such a difference between how a ref controls a match when there is an inspector there and when there is not, not only does the inspection become a pointless refereeing exercise, the match becomes a waste of time for players, supporters and officials.

Happily the day wasn't a total waste of time, thanks to another sensational Under 20s performance. The boys have gone clear at the top, and on this form you'd be a foolish man to bet against them lifting the trophy in September. UNSW, with the help of the wind, had us on the rack for the opening quarter of an hour, but the boys showed character to claw their way into the match. The vital goal came late in the first half after some good work down the right flank from Owen and James who laid on the chance for Sasha to bury.

The second half was more comfortable for the Tigers with the wind at their backs. Though Owen and Gandalf missed a couple of sitters (the latter after a quite remarkable 50-yard dribble) the boys held on for their best result of the season, led by Pirelli in midfield and assisted by cameos from veterans Flower and Owen.

Next week it's back to Birchgrove for the first time with a home match against form team Lakemba. I've spoken to Ken and he's pulling out the magic beans this week to ensure the green carpet is at its finest. It's another top of the table clash that could end up being one to remember - hopefully this time for the right reasons.