There is a major problem with so-called references. Who would give out their friend or neighbor’s number as a reference without being sure that the person has only nice things to say? Do you really think a reference is going to tell you ANYTHING negative?
On the rare occasion that the person would be 100% candid about something less than stellar about the proposed shidduch, it could get back to the person who gave that person as a reference, and cause machlokess.