AFC Match Report

Ralph with latest signing

Well , we have arrived at our last home games of season 2021/2022.

We begin the day sitting atop the league- just ! For , snapping at our heels , Is Cooper Buckley . As they have done all season long . And with their games in hand I fully expect to be toppled today .

But before that I am out to my garden as the sun lightens the sky , and to a glorious dawn chorus of so many different songs from a myriad of birds. Even heard the swoosh as two elegant swans fly overhead- their necks outstretched as they pearce the air like two coordinated arrows. So marvellous to be here in spring as each tree slowly opens the winter cover of their leaves and blossoms -- and open up to the promise of warmer days . Such a very lucky fellow am I .

Indoors now, sauna over, showered and now , I settle my self to see Match of the Day and to see some proper football- not the likes of England celebrating beating The Ivory Coast !

Over the last few days my house heating has been off so a very cold house indeed . Saving oil I suppose , but now -- fingers crossed -- it is working.

Next.

Loaded up and to my fresh baked croissants and pastries . Kit laundered . Last time for some of the balls as we will have fresh ones for the new season . Costing some £25/30 each, we go through quite a lot !

Trophies to be readied for the big bash night of awards and I guess a few gallons of lager .

Car park surprisingly very light of cars. Effect of price of fuel perhaps .

To a well marked pitch .

Referee today is Mick Costello .

We play Ruskin Park FC.

Big turn out of players . Callum Mese has said no for the rest of the games . But top scorer Nick Gregory is back after the last few loading games. Hope he stops the rot with his special play . And our superb mid field playmaker, James Craig .

A bright Sunny day with some clouds . Calm day .

1100
And off we go . We in our red/ black kit and Rushton Park in orange .

Paul Bowker plays despite his dislocated nose last week. Hospital have been able to shove it all back in place so he is raring to go .

With holidays and other commitments dictating we are likely to miss out on players if our next game is on the 10th .

First free kick goes to RP FC . No gain.

1105
1st corner to us .
And the second .no gain .
Both sides very attack minded.

1107
Great shot y Nick Gregory pulls at superb save by their keeper.

1110
Corner to RP. No gain
Race up field by Nick Gregory and he plants his shot in the corner of their goal.

1-0
Play very fast and very committed . We are going all we can but no chances .
My lovely god daughter CeCe arrives with her beau , Alfie- a professional player . Good to see them .

1120
From a fine ball by Kev Rodgers, Paul Bowker scores!
2-0

1125
Free kick for us . No gain
Player down of RP. All ok.

1128
Another free kick as Ross Henderson is dragged down .
Lots of back chat going on as referee adjudged to be missing some fouls .
Left holding the baby Bella for a short while as our secretary has to leave momentarily. She is minding the baby . See the photo .

1135
Great feed by James Craig is met on the run by Will Cirk who slides it in for a goal
3-0

1138.
Following corner to RP , a race up field by Nick Gregory is met by a goal hungry Will Cirk who nets his second of the game
4-0

1140
Corner to us by James Craig is met by Nick Gregory who heads home
5-0

Half time
Off we go .
We play all our subs to give all the chance of play .
Including our ever hungry player manager , Kev Mort
Warm sun as clouds open. Bird singIng gloriously.

1209
Fine ball upfield , met by Nick Gregory -- who scores. His hat trick
6-0

1220
And wham. Paul Bowker , fed by Kev Mort -- scores
7-0

1228. Mix up in our area and RPFC score
7-1

1223
Lovely ball by Ben Walker to Paul Bowker who nets for his hat trick.
Superb stuff
8-1

1236
Free kick as Nick Gregory is taken down . Taken by Ben Walker . His shot saved

1239
Great ball passed by Nick Gregory is met by Toni Sindstadt who scores
9-1
Game over .

Two hat tricks and all had a chance to play.

Showers out of order so smelly players troop off to the Bridge Pub for chip butties

Man of the match . Why, who else -- Paul Bowker

Next game is away . Versus White Horse

The table: