AFC Match Report

Match report – Sunday 13th

As we ready ourselves in the week. With the new kit , new pump for the footballs, muscle spray as pitches harden in the winter. Spade in the car to be ready to remove odious gifts left for us by uncaring dog owners and much more. Long johns dug out of their summer resting place. Team planning, as Kev Mort juggles with who starts the game. A headache as we are blessed with considerable talent!

But. Before all that, a special weekend

As we set up the Santa Sleigh and toured the streets, lanes, avenues and roads etc over many hours . Matt Bonnell, Geoff Stretch and Kev Mort on board as Christmas elves . And you know who on his throne as we tried to bring a taste of the festive season to all , from the kiddies all the way up to the elders.
This year so many families were out. Standing in little knots of parents, some in their pyjamas and dressing gowns with children who had big bright shining eyes as Santa came in view. A so wonderful feeling of Christmas everywhere we went. Lots and lots of photos and videos – I hear we even featured on Facebook.

A cold tour but restricted by the Covid 19 rules, we could not knock on doors and in that way collect funds so needed by community groups here. Last year we brought a record £1500 to the village , which we gave away to such causes. This year, we thought we would not be able to help. Our main aim was I say was to bring a little light and cheer in the dark days. But! Amazingly, folks tossed donations in our two buckets and the result. We raised over £1000 cash. This plus the sponsorships of £300 and just giving site, we look to have done well for the village groups.
Busy weekend but so, so, worthwhile.

To our match Report

We played against Nantwich Pirates on the Barony pitches.Referee was young Rhys Pountain.We played in our new Marstons kit. Good turn out of players for Manager Kev Mort.

Poor weather and I'm conscious of the fact that I earned a very heavy head cold last Sunday whilst on the bench for all of 4 hours.So wrapped up. Out in a horrid wet windy cold morning .

Arriving at the Barony in Nantwich and we are informed we must change in the car park. In the wind and in the rain . So there you go – we have all down to their pants and bare feet in this foul weather. Brave or stark raving mad.
Whatever.

11:00 Kick off.

Audlem on the attack

On a soggy rain swept pitch.Luckily there is a car park close by the pitch. Where I place my self in the car , heater on and ok. Otherwise I would have been away and to my house.

Mad blokes walking their dogs on this weather .
Somewhat less frantic start as cold cold limbs get going . Pitch cutting up badly.

Song on my car radio so apposite " baby it's cold outside " as I luxuriate in my cocoon .
11:12Connor Baxter our keeper, pulls off a super save , stopping a sure goal
11:15Free kick to Nantwich pirates . No gain
11:18And again Connor saves at the players feet. Very brave stop.
Josh and Jack – Kev Mort's boys , seek shelter in my car .
11:25State of play about 50/50
11:30We give away a penalty in this slithery mud. Pirates step up

0-1

11:33Another attack on our goal as opposition press hard
11:36Yet another penalty conceded .
And Connor saves! But they score on the rebound .

0-2

HALF TIME -Second half
11:46Corner to us . No gain
Game still fast and hard attacks as players slide in from the side.
Cross by Pirates and straight into our net

0-3

Fighting for the ball

I fear that this one will not be good for Audlem F C
11:56Pirates score again . Woe is me.

0-4

12:00We come back lots of heart
Ball sent in by Kev Rodgers , met by Seb Burrows and he scores

1-4

These last minutes as we race to full time show good spirit by us. On comes Kev Mort and there is a game change as his hard reputation goes before him.

We get corner after corner. Lovely cross by Andrew Betteley but no one there to meet it.

We have really upped our game since Kev came on.

Corner to us

Taken by Kev Rodgers. Into the melee goes his ball – and we score. As Paul Bowker scores .great stuff as the clock ticks on remorselessly .

2-4

Final whistle
Soggy lot troop off. I say take your kit home and wash it yourselves rather than strip off again in the car park . Anyway who wants 15 soggy sets of kit in ones car .
All off to the Rifleman pub for hot curry and beer .

Man of the match Seb Burrows for very good game .
Next game at home on the 20th
Ralph Warburton, Audlem F C

Thanks to Jonathan White for the action photos