Tameside referee on the big stage

A referee who hails from Tameside put in a solid performance in his first SkyBet Championship game in front of the live TV cameras on Sunday. 

Matt Donohue took charge of Wigan Athletic's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, which was screened live on Sky Sports immediately before Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool. 

He booked four players and showed a yellow card to Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi, who kicked a water bottle in front of fourth official Carl Boyeson in protest after the first of two penalty shouts for his side were turned down in the first half. 

It came after Sammy Ameobi’s shirt appeared to be tugged by Antonee Robinson and later Joe Williams looked to have brought down Yuri Ribeiro, although contact in both instances was initiated outside the box. 

Overall, Donohue kept the game at the DW Stadium under control, as Jamal Lowe’s first goal for Wigan earned Paul Cook’s side their third successive home win and ended Forest’s 10-game unbeaten run in the league. 

The 31-year-old left his job as a teacher at Greswell Primary School in Denton during the summer to pursue his refereeing dream, after gaining a place in the Select Group 2 - a full-time position which allows him to officiate matches in the SkyBet Championship.