AFC Match Report November 29th

No sun. No moon
No morn- No noon
No dawn- No dusk-No proper time of day
No warmth-No cheerfulness- No beautiful ease
No comfortable feel in any member-
No shade, No shine, No butterflies, no bees
No fruits, No flowers, No leaves, No birds
November

By Thomas Hood in 1844

The day dawns in total refection of the words of Thomas Hood. So dark still at 07.30 as we move ever swiftly to the shortest day of the year.

To wake to the silence of the garden. Just the odd chirp of a bird to break the stillness.

To the realisation that the playing field on which we play our game is once more a mess of soggy surface and a mini lake over by the tennis courts. Will we play? Much representation yesterday to the league officials brought no action other than to inspect this morning .

How will it go I wonder -- as I sit here in my study, working on other matters. In truth playing on such ground makes the game even more a lottery for our chances of success – or will it play in our favour versus the might of Crewe F C, in a position above us in the league. And a team and staff with a reputation.

I get to the CO-OP to buy those scrumptious croissants. Then to load up with the nets etc, with Geoff our joint manager.

Message from James Bebbington to the effect he is en-route back from Birmingham Airport after taking his wife there – he will arrive a bit late.
Referee today is Des Evans. Head referee of the league and a very fair, firm official.
We have the luxury of 15 players today -- even in this weather and this dull day.

Kick off

Sharp on time as the church bells cease their welcome sound.
Play very lively from the start. Denise and Mike, our good luck couple arrive to sit in the open trunk of my Volvo -- out of the keen wind and the advancing chill.
New signing Dag Sirle -- who has played for us previously -- quick into the action.
Joe Benson played so well and so committed. A sharp contrast to his play last week when he was "under the weather".
Keeping our shape. Kev Rogers playing for the first time since breaking his leg.
Kyle Doughty, in goal as Ed Holmes away, pulls off a very good reactive save. Passing is good and on the deck. Good effort by Kev Mort is saved.
An aside -- I note that two Crewe Players are wearing full length black gloves. First this season.

11.09. we get a penalty. Graham " Shirley" Brown converts it.

1-0 to us.

11.20. Our defence at fault as they score.

1-1

Game has now swing to Crewe -- noticeably. Good run by Andrew "Beko" Betterley but he is caught offside. Good cross by Dale Bradbury just flashes past the front of their goal.
Language is good -- not at all fruity. Dag sends a pass to Beko. One touch to Connor Jones and he puts it away. Great goal.

2-1 to us.

Wonderful. Ahead !!

11.33 and we concede a corner. Then another. Then another. Safe thankfully.
But then a run by Crewe. A suspicion of offside. They score.

2-2

Followed almost immediately as they score again. An oh so, so soft goal as defence is in pieces.

2-3 . We are behind !

Ref. books two of their players for their mouths. Followed by Graham Brown – again for his mouth. Yet another card for Graham.
Wind really strong now and the combination of the weather along with the pudding surface of the field makes skills less easy to shine.

Second Half

String cross wind now but thankfully no rain. First chance comes to us but no gain. Brad Jones on as Kev Rogers goes off.
A headed goal by them and they score.

2-4

12.06 -- and we reply very quickly . Great shot by Beko.

3-4

Then a lovely individual goal as Beko scores yet again.

4-4

The comeback has begun. I hope!
Kyle pulls off a truly super save. A fingertip save. But a corner and blow me, they score.

4-5

Wind now even stronger and swirling about. Ball plopping in the glutinous surface. Skills hard to employ.
I must say at this stage game is still 50/50. We can surely come back and get a win. Kev Walters off and Dale Bradbury on.
Then, as we get closer to the end, they slice our defence open and score yet again.

4-6.

And that was that.

Game over and one that we could really have won. If only. and that is not just hyperbole .

The photos, courtesy Frank Morris, show Messrs Sirle and Bebbington in action.

Ralph Warburton

Chairman Audlem F C

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