AFC Match Report 6th May 2018

As I leave my house for our very last home game of the season , I reflect on the absolutely gorgeous wealth of trees we have here in this magnificent country.

The blossoms this year are – I am sure the best for many a time as we have had no frost nor beating rains to destroy the masses of blooms. Here is a Hisakura and an Amanagowa cherry against that Mediterranean looking blue sky. Everywhere I drive I see the trees bursting into leaf. The Rowans, The Rhododendrons, Beeches, Chestnuts, Birches, Willow's, Alders, Apples , Maples and the Hawthorns . As I said at quiz night,"ne'er cast a clout , ere May be out" – means do not take off your winter clothes until you see the Hawthorns in bloom – not the blackthorn as some would have had it.

Add to that , the wealth of hedgerows we have means we do live in a glorious country. Thanks in so many ways to those intrepid plant hunters of the 18th and 19th century who brought so many new plants and trees to our shores .

But, to the game.

A glorious day. Blue skies. Great playing surface, recently mown for us. We face the White Lion team . Last time we met them way back in a cold November day and we drew 3-3. Referee is Darren Waters , one of the best officials we have in the league. Good squad for management ream to choose from.

Here in my shorts for the first time this year and ready for the fray

1100 Kick off right on time.

Bells ceased now. Car park full. And glorious , glorious sun!

1109 Great cross by Danny Mahoney is met by Andrew(Beco) Betteley who heads home!!! 1-0. Wwhat a great start. Dipping shot by Beco hits the crossbar. Beco is on fire!

1112 Another superb cross by Danny is wasted as no one there to put it away. A chance missed!

1115 Running shot by White Lion and they carve our defence open. Score 1-1.

Referee books Mark Parker for his mouth. When will we ever learn to shut up!! Mark wants out and goes off. Joe Benson on 1st corner of the match goes to
WL. No gain

1128 Beco scores again!!! 2-1.

1130 Blow me down, WL score from what looked like an offside position 2-2.

1135 Danny Mahoney- so active as ever, fires in a shot- rebounds of the post, across the goal and In. 3-2.

HALF TIME arrives – great feeling as all going well for us

1151 Off we go again.

WL camped in our half as they press to equalise. We win a corner -- our first of the game -- wasted. Freekick for us -- 30 yards out and Alin Buceau takes it. No goal.

1201 They belt in a goal. 3-3!

Another free kick to us. Same spot as the last one. Taken by Danny, but the wall stops his shot Jack Welch- yellow card and red card- mouth again!!
More subs played as Alin comes off.

1227 Beco scores his hatrick of goals! Beautiful shot . A mix up in their goal area. 4-3!!

Great feeling.

1230 Corner to us

And then...

1235 A so so soft goal. 4-4.

1238 Another stupid soft goal and we give the game away. 4-5.

What a bucket of cold water in the face after great hopes for a win. This, as I said, our very last home game of the season.

Last game for us away is versus Haslington on the 13th.

Ralph Warburton
AFC

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