Dale’s first ever game against Boreham Wood on Tuesday night will be refereed by RICHIE WATKINS.

The Nuneaton-based official was promoted to the National League list midway through last season and officiated at seven games before the end of the campaign.

The second of those involved Tuesday’s opponents, Boreham Wood, when they entertained Southend United at Meadow Park.

This term, Richie has refereed three games, showing 16 yellow cards and one red card.

He oversaw Southend’s 4-0 thrashing of Oldham on the opening day, while his most recent appointment was Woking v Dorking on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Photo: Action Images

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