Rebecca Welch to referee Carlisle United away clash

Rebecca Welch will referee the Iron's away league encounter against Carlisle United on Saturday.

The Washington-based official, who has refereed internationally and in the Women's Super League, made history on Easter Monday of this year when she took charge of Harrogate Town's fixture against Port Vale, becoming the first female referee to be appointed to middle an EFL match.

The former NHS administrative worker took charge of the match last season and was subsequently promoted to the National League ahead of the new season.

In her career so far, she has refereed the Women's FA Cup Final on two occasions, in 2017 and 2020, also officiating in the 2020 Women's Community Shield. She was later added to UEFA's elite women's list in December 2020.

Welch has taken charge of two Sky Bet League Two games so far this season, with the first seeing Rochdale draw 1-1 at home to Colchester United, while the second saw her oversee Hartlepool United's 1-0 home win over Bristol Rovers. Across both games, she's issued six cautions.

Last season, she took charge of 10 National League games, showing 45 yellow cards and one red.

On Saturday, she will be assisted by Gary Hilton and Paul Newhouse, while Graeme Fyvie has been appointed as the fourth official.

PAST SCUNTHORPE UNITED ENCOUNTERS

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PAST CARLISLE UNITED ENCOUNTERS

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