AFC Match Report

Sunday 1st of November .

As I sit here after the match, the light is fading fast as we enter a month of "no sun , no morn , no noon -- November"

When the prospect of the coming Christmas, Santa, his grotto, the trees all lit in the village, shop windows lit and sparkling, carols round the tree to come and the joy of meeting all the family for a great festive dinner and exchanging gifts. Then I recall. The cloud that is Covid 19 has put paid to most of that. All is looking grey and wet. We are now into lockdown for the whole month -- and I suspect, beyond the 2nd of December .
Hopefully we will have the Christmas trees put in place by that superb body of men and women once more. ADAS -- who else , the wonderful community team dating back to 1969. And who, I must just say, are in dire need of funds as opportunities to seek such over these past months have been thwarted by that dreadful virus. Any help will be wonderful. Sponsor a tree for just £10. It would be superb if all the 60/70 trees were in fact sponsored.Call at Flower Divas here in the village to so sponsor
The village will wear its lonely lights even if all is somewhat grey .

But – to Football

We meet Sydney Arms of Sandbach in a away game. At the tail end of the night's storm Aiden calms down
Pitch is in Forge Fields in Wheelock, and is a sloping pitch , both at south end and across the pitch along the far side from where I sit in my commentating seat.
Referee to day is the much welcome Jem Cornes.
Good turn out of squad players. 15 in all. Yet another headache for Kev Mort, our so experienced manager.

11:04 Kick off as a single bell peals over in Wheelock .

0-1

11:06 Blow me down. What! A bam slam. Sydney Arms score, have sliced up our defence .
Light rain has now stopped so my papers not as damp.

1-1

11:08 An immediate response as Will Cork gets the ball to the feet of Andrew "Beco" Betteley in a jumble of bodies in their goal mouth . Beco gets the ball into the net
Good response .
But play tending to be a bit this and that. As so many passes go astray . Both sides guilty of that.
Fierce attack by SA and Connor saves well.
Pete Jones clears the ball upfield .
First free kick goes to SA, just outside our box . Taken with fierce kick and the ball strikes our cross bar .
Paul Bowker goes down in a heavy tackle . Then hurt with a thigh strain.
First corner of the game goes to us . Taken by Elliot Steventon. No gain
11:27 Paul B has to come off and on comes on Carl Greatbank.
Corner for SA but no gain .

1-2

11:31 Truly great shot from distance, volleys straight in to our net .
Connor had no chance to stop it.
Then a corner to SA. No gain
Sydney Arms well and truly in charge as play is 60/40 theirs to enjoy.
Great long ball by Elliot Steventon , met by Will Cork and his shot saved by their keeper .
A small bit of sunshine peeks from behind the grey cloud. A touch of warmth in what is truly a mild November day.
Pete Jones comes off. Injured. Seb Burrows on

11:48 Half time
Much discontent amongst the team as they troop of for water and strong words from Kev, the manager .

11:55 Restart and off we go again. SA still on top. Have all the bragging rights .

12:00 Corner to SA. No gain .
Superb ball by Dan Rooney racing up field , but goalie saves.

12:05 James Bebbington lashes out at player who tackles him badly. James red carded, and SA player a yellow.
Wind is getting up a little , but still mild. And dry .
Dan Martin comes on for -- Jack Welch off with leg pain .
Darker clouds line up. Cooler a tad.

1-3

12:25 Corner to SA , and wallop, they score
Thomas Capewell our captain and defender comes off. Tom Smart runs on , full of energy .
12:40 Game slowly coming to a finish. Our men tired. Fierce shot on our goal but Connor saves .
Rain beginning now.
Ref blows up and game over.

Man of the Match awarded to Connor Baxter .

Kit off , in my wash bag and I drive home . To a WhatsApp video call on the Charity Shop which I fear will now be locked down .

Next game was to be November 8th , but suspect that we will be stopped by the Cheshire F.A under the new Covid regime

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F. C