AFC Match Report 25th Feb

As of late , we have heard of the many murmurings of flocks of starlings all over the county. Suddenly we have these birds in abundance ,after many a while being absent from our lawns. Here in my garden and fields around I have masses of them – they suddenly swoop and perch on a tree , making it look like it is full of leaf or fruit. But the noise as they roost there is so loud as each cheeps away in their quite raucous voice. Then – all of sudden they stop. As one ! I wonder who says stop! And at once they all take off . Again as one. Who is the lead bird. Quite perplexing and in its own way, quite magical .And in a few days, they will all be gone again.

Now. BBC match of the day over. And having wallowed in the superb performance of my team, Liverpool with their peppering of West Ham's goal, I load up my old Volvo with kit, medical bag, footballs , drinks bottles (reusable plastic ones) and my papers . Off to the village at 08.30 and to the Annexe changing rooms.

Car park about one third full as I station my car near to the patio area and the benches. Munching my buttery COOP croissant, I get the kit into the changing room. Check everything ok in all three rooms – All clean as a whistle.

Young Tyler Baxter here seeking if he can join the team. Just 16 and from Buerton. We say yes – good to get young legs and he is duly signed up. The league require that all new players are registered.

Very cold but with a beautiful full sun low over the tennis courts . Will be in the eyes of the goalies.

Kit all hung up ready for the squad. Kev Mort and Kev Rodgers here in good time. But as the clock ticks away, we ae contacted by 7 players who had declared themselves available for selection that they will now not show !!! So, we are down to a bare 11 players and that includes two men who had retired! Kev Walters and Alan Brindley – who come to our rescue. So very disheartening and playing as we are against a stronger team in White Eagles, I fear the worst. A severe blooding for young Tyler !!

Referee is Darren Waters who is delayed a tad by slow traffic at Hatherton. Kick off more in hope than confidence at 11.00,. White Eagles team have 16 players!!

FIRST HALF

11:03 – 0-1
I fear we are in for a thrashing. Play is all in our half as our opponents – in bright orange – lay siege to our goal.

11:22 0-2

Connor in goal pulling off some very fine saves BUT

11:36 0-3

11:42 0-4 !!

Brief respite as Referee Waters blows up fir half time .

SECOND HALF

I wonder if we can keep the score in single figures. We are still camped in our own half as wave after wave of orange hits us . ( in all this carnage, the sun is so warm on my face and the pitch is standing up well .)

12:10 we concede a penalty – 0-5

James Bebbibngton hit full in the face by a fierce shot and is laid out for a while. Brave fellow is up and playing – we have no one to sub !

12:22 0-6

12:26 0-7!!!

Then

12:27 Matt Gladders fires in and scores. 1-7

Game over . Good spirit as we shake hands.

The 11 Audlem men out there played with so much heart, and kept their heads up right to the end. Full marks to them – especially the older men , who no doubt will be quite stiff come Monday . And Young Tyler did quite well . He must have been in a strange frame of mind seeing us being dissected as we were.

Players of both sides back to the Lord C for those great chips.

Next game is away versus Winsford 3 F C . A team we have never ever played before. Hopefully with a stronger team .

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C

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