AFC Match Report

So, to the first game of the new year. A calm morning and so mild. And the pleasure of seeing the days slowly getting longer. How much lighter is it at 4pm now.

This week is a sad week as I say goodbye to a good friend and a colleague, with whom I have worked together for more than 12 years in helping make Audlem the jewel of Cheshire it surely is. Mike Haines' funeral is this Thursday, he having died after a very short illness. He and I were prime movers in the ADAS team in the planting of the village and the Christmas tree and lights bonanza we all enjoy here. Many is the time we have scouted for the big tree – and luckily found them virtually here on our doorstep. Driven to Blackburn seeking good deals on tree lights. Surveying horticultural shows for ideas on Britain in Bloom
He will be very sadly missed. And as my partner in Lord C quiz nights every week, a big loss.

To brighter thoughts, I must congratulate Andy Cliffe for the pastandpresentaudlem site he has set up on Facebook. A truly remarkable treasure chest of images of Audlem in Victorian and Edwardian times. What a place Audlem is!!

In the village and it is Oh so busy as ADAS team set about taking down all the lights and the trees. Phil Baker and Pete Hollinshead tacking the beautiful big tree and its 5000 lights. Neil Goodyear – new Chairman of ADAS – and his wife Pam, busy in getting all the others down along with members of the committee and volunteers. Scouts collecting in householders' trees for recycling.

Enough – To football

This match we face Betley . A very good team. And clean players. They will be smarting as we did perform quite well when we played them at their ground . They arrive in force and have 16 players! Full of running they train as my lot drift in. By 10.45 we have mustered just 12 players and that includes James Bebbington who can only play the first half. Feel so sad at this poor turnout. And poor attitude to timing.

Referee is the Top man – Des Evans.

We drew 3-3 when we played at their pitch last year and kept them to 2-2 last time we played them here. I have promised I will buy the first round if we manage to beat them this time.

11.00 and we are off as the splendid bells of St James fall silent.

Betley attack us in numbers.

11.10, They score 0-1

11.20 They are all over us. 0-2

Connor Baxter in goal pulls off a great save as Betley pepper his area – and saves again – in all truth Betley should be 6 up by now . Play is 75/25% to them.

11.40 0-3!

Half time – a brief respite.

Pitch quite damp and has cut up a little.
James B off and replaced by veteran Kev Walters. Light rain in the still air.

12.20 0-4

And this after we had played well for a spell. Referee Des Evans has played and managed the game to his normal high standard
Then all hell breaks loose.

12.23 0-5; 12.25 0-6; 12.26 0-7; 12.35 0-8

Oh so sad a game for us. A poor result as we start the new year.
I invite Betley back to the Lord C – our original sponsors – and they come in numbers to enjoy many platters of fine fat chips and many slices of bread and butter., Good spirit between us. Nice that we can talk and laugh together.

Next game is away to Sandbach Town F C .on the 15th January.

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