PERHAPS we’ve all been a bit hard on Matthew Breeze. Yes – you read that right : maybe we need to give the much maligned ref a bit more credit.

After all, he created a little bit of history over the long weekend when he became the first ref this season to keep his cards firmly in his pockets. Let's face it, this was a NSW derby and the potential for professional fouls and general unpleasantness was highly likely, yet no bookings were made.

There are only three possible answers to this puzzle :
1. Matthew Breeze left his cards in his car
2. CCM and the Sky Blues all played like Gary Lineker
3. Matthew Breeze is a ref of great tact and intelligence

Or could it be that nobody out there was being competitive enough to earn one ?

Certainly, I was very surprised and disappointed to see the lack of fire from the Mariners in the first half of this crucial match. A win would have put us top of the table, a loss would ensure this gift for our rivals: what greater motivation could a team need to kickstart their performance ?

Sure, we came back at them in the second half, but their defence is almost as good as ours and there was nothing doing. As the rain and thunder cracked open the sky over the SFS, I wanted to run outside, get drenched and scream with frustration.

It was a wasted opportunity to claim the top spot and all the confidence that goes with it. And while there were some great performances from the likes of McGlinchey and Boogs in the second half, there's a depressing sense that we're beginning to stare down what Harps calls "the barrel of no return".

Thank God for Harps, Hill, Bozza, Robbie and all those commentators who make us laugh, because heaven knows, putting faith in a football team can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Two weeks ago, I thought the Mariners were unstoppable, this week my belief was really shaken.

I need to take a step back, listen to some very loud music and focus on the positives (like Matty coming back next week - hallelujah ! And the fantastic performance by the Mariners Women's team who beat Sydney 3-1. Go Girls !)

If it's difficult for fans, how incredibly focused, disciplined and determined must footballers be to cope with the ups and downs of a season ? To come back out there week after week and give their best, even when things might have gone badly or their confidence has taken a knock must take some courage.

This is perhaps what Mrdja and Macca are feeling right now: just one goal will break their drought and all frustrations will melt away.

Ney Fabiano's hilarious "Love-Hate" moment with the ball on the weekend seemed to sum up exactly what all footballers must feel. It was "Football : A Brazilian Opera in 60 Seconds". He reasoned with it, he kissed it, then he shouted at it and slapped it to the ground. Beautiful stuff.

Is there anyone who's ever played or watched football that didn't find that a moment of supreme eloquence ?

We may have upset Victory on day one of the season, but now that the dust has settled they're beginning to look more and more like the champions they are. The season will only get tougher from here on in, and to lose a point here and there now will mean the difference between clinging on or sliding out of the top six.

After next week's home game against Fury, The Mariners have an unprecedented five rounds away: a very long time to be without the atmosphere and support they get at Bluetongue. Since they have failed to score in their last four away matches, it goes without saying that something's got to change for them to fulfil their early season promise.

Sure, it will be nice to welcome Fergie, Fury and Fowler back to Gosford next weekend, but there can be no room for nostalgia or hero-worship. McGlinchey and Hutcho will both be sadly absent on World Cup duty so the midfield is a bit of a mystery. But whatever the team line-up, a win for the Mariners is essential if they are to go on the road with confidence and something to build on.

A fiercer competitive edge would be a beautiful thing to see, cards or not.