Referee Ben Atkinson has been selected to take charge of Saturday’s League Two fixture between County and Walsall at Edgeley Park.
It will be the first time that Atkinson, promoted to the EFL as a referee over the Summer, has refereed County in a first-team fixture. He has refereed Walsall once already this season, overseeing their 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town in August, in which a red card was shown to former County defender Chris Hussey.
The official took charge of 17 first-team fixtures last season across the National League and the National League North/South, including the National League South play-off final between Oxford City and St Albans City. In that time, he issued 79 yellow cards, five red cards and awarded seven penalties.
Across 19 games in all competitions this season, Atkinson has so far shown 91 yellow cards, six red cards and awarded five penalty kicks. His last game came in League Two on December 29th, overseeing AFC Wimbledon’s 5-3 win over Colchester United.
The Assistant Referees on Saturday will be Steve Durnall and Johnathon Bickerdike, whilst Ben Toner will be the Fourth Official at Edgeley Park.
