Mason Takes Charge Of Villa Clash

Lee Mason from Lancashire will referee the R`s Carling Cup Third Round clash with Premier League Aston Villa.

Premier League official Mr. Mason has had a great deal of experience with the top flight, as well as refereeing numerous games in the Championship as he yo-yo`s more than West Bromwich Albion between the two.

Beginning his league officiating in 2002, 36 year old Lee Mason has moved up the refereeing ladder with relative speed, refereeing his first two Premier League games in 2006, both involving the upcoming opponents Aston Villa.

A trip to the Millennium Stadium at the end of the campaign Barnsley beat Swansea with Daniel Nardiello bagging a vital goal as the Tykes took to the Championship.

Mr. Mason first met the R`s back in 2003, where he saw Gareth Ainsworth stick away two goal of the season contenders away at Rushden & Diamonds. Rangers went on to draw the game 3-3, after being 3-1 up for a long period. He booked four a piece from each side.

A rare Georges Santos goal was in evidence when Mr. Mason next officiated the R`s. Unfortunately for Rangers it ended in defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Joe Kinnear`s red`s took control of the fixture courtesy of a header form Jack Lester.

He did not referee the R`s in their first season in the Championship - but in the subsequent season, he oversaw two Rangers fixtures. The 3-1 home defeat against Ipswich Town, where Simon Walton netted from the spot for the Tractor Boys, whilst the R`s caused a stir, somehow drawing 3-3 against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthornes, with maligned Marc Nygaard netting the equaliser.

Rangers were struggling under John Gregory when Mason next presided over a Rangers game, and Mikele Leigertwood`s rasping drive from distance took the pressure off in a 1-1 draw away at Leicester City.

So far this season Mr. Mason has been dishing out the cards left, right and centre, in four games he has dished out 12 yellows and a red; departed Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko given his marching orders at the Valley.

Mr. Mason & Queens Park Rangers

Rushden & Diamonds 3-3 QPR - 25th August 2003.
Goals: Darby 16, Hall 82, Lowe 90; Ainsworth 37,45, Furlong 53.
Booked: Stuart Gray, Gary Mills, Billy Turley, Paul Underwood; Marcus Bean, Gino Padula, Martin Rowlands, Danny Shittu.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 QPR - 4th December 2004
Goals: Reid 15, Lester 58; Santos 49.
Booked: Andy Reid, Alan Rodgers; Georges Santos.

QPR 1-3 Ipswich Town - 25th August 2006.
Goals: Gallen 58; Walton 62pen, De Vos 68, Bowditch 86.
Booked: None.

Leicester City 1-1 QPR - 15th September 2007.
Goals: Hume 63pen; Leigertwood 82.
Booked: Gareth McAuley; Mikele Leigertwood.

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