Wolves fan in crowd becomes assistant ref in FA Cup match

A Wolves fan stepped forward through the crowd to act as fourth official when an assistant referee fell ill during his side's FA Cup match against Brentford on Tuesday and struggled to contain his joy when his team scored a late winner.

Ross Bennett, a referee at youth level, said he volunteered to help when the assistant could not continue during extra time.

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“The ref asked me if I was going to do the fourth ref, and I said to myself, 'If you give me a quick crash course, I will,'” Bennett told the Wolves Express podcast.

“So for the next 30 minutes of my life I was officiating a replay of an FA Cup match; it was quite surreal, really crazy.”

Bennett said he was “screaming” inside when Wolves scored from the penalty spot in extra time to win the match 3-2, setting up a fourth round meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

“The killer couldn't celebrate the third goal because I was going to the West Brom game and I couldn't celebrate the goal that got us there because I didn't know if I was allowed to do so or if I had done so. remain neutral,” he added.