“Grow some ref,” has been a common touchline refrain this season from Martin Thomas, one of Lye Town’s joint managers, who has repeatedly taken umbrage at sub-standard officiating in what, in old money, is still referred to as the Banks’s League.

It is hard to take issue with his assessment of quality, the only two creditable officiating displays I have witnessed this season coming a young Halesowen-based official in an Alvechurch cup game – who Mssrs Gray and Keys may like to note was female – and from the referee who took charge for the end of Bloxwich United AFC’s impressive FA Vase adventure, albeit getting the game’s only big decision spectacularly wrong.

However it should be pointed out that, these exceptions aside, the standard of refereeing at this level is truly appalling across the board and applies evenly to both sides on most occasions, giving the lie to the FA’s risible Respect campaign whose latest manifestation is to label exasperated managers and supporters ‘gobby morons’ at the gateway to the Birmingham County FA website.

Hence the vain appeal to ‘grow some’ from a frustrated Thomas who constantly despairs of officials not having the strength to make the decisive calls.

Well it’s time for Thomas, and counterpart Darren Goodall, to lead by example.

Potless since 1998’s championship-winning season, the current Lye side is in the unprecedented position of being in four, admittedly minor, cups as we head into the final straight.

The managerial due are right to assert they have assembled the best Lye team seen for ten years, I would argue it’s more like 13.

Saturday sees runaway league leaders Tividale visit the home of a Lye side drifting in mid-table, with no hope of winning the title or finishing in a top-four position which would guarantee entry into next season’s FA Cup, but equally importantly with no dread of finishing in the bottom two. Saturday’s game is, in a word, pointless, for the hosts.

So will Thomas and Goodall ‘grow some?’ Will they take the opportunity to rest key players like outstanding goalkeeper Tom Harper and match-winning individuals like Damian Whitcombe, Craig Slater, Lee Dimmock, Adam Bastable, Craig Gregg and Matthew Foster?

Surely the best option is to give their key individuals a richly-deserved Saturday off to prepare for Wednesday’s tough-looking League Cup trip to Bustleholme. Take a leaf out of Mick McCarthy’s book and throw in the youngsters and let’s see what they can do.

In other words, grow some.