TRY not to get too excited. England have beaten a team they always beat – except for one depressing goalless draw a few months ago – and the reign of Big Sam is off to a winning start.

But any England supporters looking for a flash of lightning to signal the arrival of a the Allardyce age were in for yet another disappointment.

Just for the record, England beat the team ranked 24th in the world, played for half an hour against ten men and needed a goal in the 96th minute – the ball going between the goalkeeper’s legs – to get the World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Lucky Sam! As appetizing as day-old custard. Roy All over Again.

Those were just three of the headlines that topped the reports from the game in Trnava and were the first signs of what Sam Allardyce has let himself in for.

He has said it is the job of his dreams but as an opening night it did nothing to persuade the critics that Sam has something that Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello or any other of the men who went before him into this dream job did not have.

Unfair as that may sound it is something that Allardyce will have to get used to over the next couple of years and for as long as he has a fast shrinking pool of talent to call upon.

It is not as if Allardyce was the best choice as England manager – he was the only choice.

But he is no Merlin, he has no magic wand to turn the 13th-ranked team into World Champions. And it isn’t just the sour faces in the press seats who are already dishing out the stick.

Former England captain Terry Butcher argued: “Watching this I am wondering is this the future? I certainly hope not.”

Chris Waddle and Gary Lineker were only slightly less damning and Allardyce must have thought that if this is the reaction to a win I had better not lose any.

Sam was clearly relieved and excited at the winning start and it made a pleasant change to hear an after-match interview that didn’t treat the man on the mike with a look that could kill for asking a daft question.

Next up for the new manager is another win – their opponents are Malta who were whipped 5-1 by Scotland on Sunday – and the chances are that he could match Roy Hodgson by winning every group game and qualifying for the finals.

That, as Hodgson will tell him, is about the time the dream job turns into a nightmare.

IT’S the sort of question that would baffle the combined brain power of Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein and Nostradamus – why would anybody want to be a referee?

Retired whistler Mark Halsey has claimed he was ordered to lie about whether he saw a certain incident; Graham Poll, another former whistler, says he was never pressured in 13 years at the top; and there is a real row developing over the integrity of the game.

But that’s football.

Then, there is the case of the two referees who downed whistles amid claims of bullying and lack of support from the top.

But that’s rugby league.

And how about the referees who were sent home from the Rio Olympics because … well, because they got it wrong?

But that’s boxing.

I only hope that the above incidents don’t harm the latest recruitment drive for new referees to take charge of rugby league at local amateur level.

The amateur game has enough trouble keeping players without having to shut up shop because of a lack of officials. The money’s not great and the criticism would make Sam Allardyce cringe but if you can’t play, can’t coach but want to be involved then give it a try. The game needs you.

BARROW Raiders are in the play-offs, the Bluebirds are lying in handy eighth place so things are looking pretty good on the home front.

Still not satisfied? Then join me as a long-distance supporter of Corby Town.

Relegated to the Northern Premier League this season, they have played six games – including an FA Cup tie – and have scored just one goal. The Steelmen are hoping for better things ahead.