ROOKIE referee Chris Campbell will take charge of the biggest match of his career on Sunday - but neither coach is concerned a relatively inexperienced official will be in the middle.

The Widnes whistler's first League One match was only in April last year, in a low-level encounter between South Wales Scorpions and Gateshead.

His biggest game since has arguably been the Under-20s Championship Grand Final between Leigh and Sheffield 12 months ago, but now comes the League One play-off semi-final between Swinton and York.

However, he is a former player with Whitehaven, Oldham and Rochdale, and has coached amateurs Warrington Wizards, and York boss James Ford reckons that will stand him in good stead.

"For me, that's a good pedigree for a referee. He will understand things from a playing and coaching perspective," he said.

"I'm sure he has earned his position. If he's going to officiate this game, he will have been refereeing to a good standard all year.

"If he's performing well then fair play to him. I hope he has another good game this weekend."

Referring to York's penalty-strewn clash with Barrow last time out, Ford added: "We will hopefully see a free-flowing, fast game this week, instead a game slowed down to amateurish pace."

Ford's Swinton counterpart, John Duffy, said: "He (Campbell) has obviously been working hard and has done well. He's reffed us before and has been good. We don't look at match officials. I'm sure he'll have a great game."

Campbell, the son of 1994 Challenge Cup final referee Dave Campbell, has officiated York twice - a 46-22 win at Hemel last season and the 20-4 Challenge Cup third round win at South Wales in March this year.