AFC Match report for October 16th .

This game was against Betley FC.
A tough game for us a we strive for success in the top league .
Travelled off on a bright morning. So many Canada geese this year as they fly over my house in perfect "V" shape formation, honking as they aim for feeding sites.
A truly wonderful sight. Oak trees and the beeches enjoying a Mast year as the wealth of acorns and beech nuts are scattered on the ground. To the joy of mice, squirrels etc .
I wonder if it is a presage of a harder winter than those we have had over the past years.
Leaves dance as I drive the empty roads to Betley.

Squad looked like a really big turnout on Thursday but now much reduced .
Manager Kev Rodgers faced with little choice .
Referee is Jem Cornes . One of the very best referees in the Cheshire Leagues.
We play in our new green kit;Betley in their red and black .
Chilly day, big clear blue sky . Pitch tight by Betley Church and the cricket ground.
The noise of shotguns filling the air as no doubt many pheasants meet the end of life. Pitch in very good order but raised up so chasing errant balls will be the way of the day .
Badger sett near the pitch.
Kev Rodgers , our senior manager gives his pep talk and fires up the players.
The bare 13 is all we have as so many not able to turn out .
Light breeze . Faint half moon visible .


11.00 -We kick off to the frantic testosterone field of play, as each side seeing how they all shape up.
Connor Baxter back in goal, which must be a bonus for us. His cap on as the sun is in his eyes .
(regretting my decision not to wear my long johns as my legs are cold.)
11.04 -Betley score !!

0-1

11.06 -Betley score again !!

0-2

Such silly easy goals , as if we were asleep. They did it like a hot knife through butter.
Not the best of starts .
Noisy helicopter overhead.
Young Fabian is hurt badly in a tackle with a big lumpy fellow. Ankle no good so he limps off . Toni Sindstadt on , even though he has a lung infection.
11.20 -We have not had one shot on their goal yet .
(Rachel , our secretary and treasurer arrives from her pumpkin picking morning .)
11.30 -A chance for us as we get close to their goal – just wide.
We win a corner, but no gain . Bit more teeth in our play now.
Free kick to BFC. Shot goes wide.
High cloud formations over the sky – mares tails that presage the coming of a weather front .
11.42 -Slight injury to their number 4. Clash of heads , but magic water and all ok.
11.44 -Corner to BFC , then another and another. No gain
11.45 -Half time as we trail by 2 goals.
In truth we have played better since the initial shock of those early goals .
Toni Sindstadt has to come off and Shea Bebbington on .

11.55 -Restart.
Sun now in the eyes of Betley's keeper.
We are playing much better and more together .
12.01 -Corner to us. Taken by Kev Rodgers . No gain.
Betley are arguing amongst themselves which is a good sign .Our man to man passing improving. Then. A penalty given away by Kev Rodgers. Yellow carded .

0-3

12.04 -Silly error and BFC score yet again!!

0-4

12.23 -And we attack and Shea Bebbibgton scores a lovely goal as he twists and turns in front of their goal

1-4

12.25 -Free kick to us . Ball hits player – ball to face , which floors the player for a few minutes. Magic sponge and water and he is up ok.
12.28 -Long throw in by James Craig . Then he follows this up with a twisting piece of play – and he scores

2-4

Another BFC player down . We are bossing the play at present as they argue amongst themselves.
The sound of shoguns now ceased as they run out of pheasants on the wing.
12.53 -Corner for us . Taken by Kev Rodgers . In the melee , Dan Rooney scores ,as their goalie scrambles .

3-4

Sun now hidden away by the advancing cloud .
Suddenly, Kev gets a another yellow card . .
A fiery player indeed.
Game over

Still a loss but we did improve and I feel we can get back to winning ways .
Man of the match awarded to Adam Caunt
A few of us gather at the Leopard Inn in Nantwich for beers and snacks provided by the pub

Next game is at home Versus Lions FC on the 23rd