AFC Match Report

Gloopy sky on a cold damp early morning. Silent countryside and the owls must have hunted hard to find any prey this gloomy night.

I wonder if you have noticed how the sun now rises over to the south east as we circle it in our winter times. And so very low, as it peeps over the horizon with fiery red rays.

Birds feeding well on my lawn as I put out seed and bread for them. Important in these chilly nights and days.

Drive off to Crewe for the game. I notice again an Open Reach van by the roadside with a technician at work. Hardly a day goes by without an Open Reach van being hereabouts. I take my hat off to them as they labour in such cold days to keep us connected.

On to the football...

We play White Lion in a Cup Match. A team well known for their heavy hand in their play. And a team who can be quite hard. We shall see, but this game is a real test for us.

Pitch is at The Georges in West Street.

Referee is Callum Binner who I feel will have his hands full in controlling the play.

With heavy hearts we gather on the centre circle as the Referee blows for a minute's silence for all here. In memory of Jack McClintock, who died so tragically last week.

1101

We kick off. Pitch heavy but thankfully playable. We have a 15-man squad. Allowance in subs is three out of 5. But we have only 4.

Marking on the field is poor and washed out so referee asks for help on the
lines. For throw ins and offsides.

White Lion set off down the pitch at great speed and only the timely challenge by Trevor Mc Dowell stops a certain goal. This being a Cup tie, we must have a result with extra time etc. We shall see if we can get to that point. Number 19 again races down to our goal, shoots – and Connor Baxter pulls off a fine save. Very low sun shining right across the pitch and in my eyes.

1107

And referee's whistle comes to our aid as he blows for offside.

Early gloom descends as the big low cloud arrives to block out the wintry sun. Good play by Connor McGowan and Kev Mort as we now attack their goal for the first time.

WL very vociferous as they urge each other forward. Language not too bad in truth. We are succeeding in holding our line and defence is worki9ng hard in face of wave after wave of WL attacking.

1117

Connor saves, and Pete Jones clears the ball away. Corner after corner to them as they pile on the pressure. We are showing them too much respect in truth and I fear we are backing off in tackles.

1121

Another fine save by Connor as he smothers a shot. Emulating De Gea!! Then. They race up field and score from a loose ball by us. 0-1.

1133

Fine dropping shot from distance – straight into our goal. 0-2.

More corners for them.

1137

And another shot goes in our goal. 0-3.

HALF TIME

All a bit downhearted as water is taken in. Ross Henderson's boots are in pieces from a tangle with his opponent. Taped up as best we can.

Subs action

Kev Mort off and Tom Bebbington on

AFC are better this half and we win our first corner. We crowd their box as we seek a goal. Heavy clouds again and cooler.

1200

On the stroke of midday and they score again, 0-4.

Revived by young Tom's running, we race up to their goal and have a shot – saved by the goalie's foot. Long shot by Marcus Bell just sails over the crossbar.
Great cross by Kev Rodgers to Andrew Betteley who slips and misses the chance.

1218

Connor McGowan off and Adam Myers on, Iain Chalker off and Brad Tucker on. We are playing so much more confidentially and now attacking much more. Fresh legs. Fresh ideas.

Marcus Bell to Tom B who shoots but goalie drops low and saves.

Another shot by Tom B – saved. He is playing so well and without fear.

Nice cheeky back heel by Beco is met by Tom B and goalie saves his shot to a corner.

Tom takes it and then Brad Tucker scores! 1-4. Some pride restored.

Marcus has another shot as we attack – Saved.

AFC showing so much more teeth as we attack, White Lion playing the game out as they fall back in numbers.

1242

Game over.

Some pride restored this half. and White Lion march on to the Semi-Finals.

Man-of-the-March chosen by WL is Ross Henderson. so, he keeps the trophy as he was MOM last week too.

I must close by saying how disappointed I was with the refurbished changing rooms at The Georges. From what I know much money was thrown at the place in refurbishing – but the result is to my mind poor.

Next game is away at Faddiley in another cup tie for a different trophy, The Division One Cup

Ralph Warburton
AFC

---

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.