AFC report 16th August

We today play another friendly as we try to build fitness before the season proper begins on or about the 20th of September .

Away to Faddiley FC

I drive off via the cemetery as I have to buy a jerrycan of petrol for the mowers as I pass through Nantwich . Done at Morrison's , so quiet and empty .
Arrive at the pitch which is just before the Thatch Retaurant . Few players there already at 09.50.

Again under the regime of Covid-19 , we cannot have showers or changing rooms . So all have to strip off in the open car park . Both sides so we have the sight of some 25 blokes in their undies under a very grey sky.

Kick off at 10.55 with a turn out of 16 players . Miserable day with soft rain in the air.
Frantic start as Is usual . Men racing up and down the sloping pitch .

11.00 And Ben Walker a real star player, goes down and twists his leg badly . Not a good start. On comes Ben Spruce.
Free kick awarded to FFC for alleged hand ball. No gain
11.03 Penalty awarded to FFC . Striker shoots wide.
1105 1-0 to us. Super pass across the area by Andrew Betteley is met by Will Cork who feeds on-rushing Ben Spruce who nets.

11.10 And Ben Spruce comes off with a leg niggle. The two Bens of the squad now off !
11.18 1-1 Bam . FFC score

11.20 1-2 Then a super strike by FFC from distance and straight into our net.

Down comes steady rain .water break called .
Restart, we win a corner. No gain . Filthy weather and kit getting its first muddying .
Press of play by us yields a corner , then another and yet another . But no gain .
11.25 Good play as we perform well. So much more together that last Sunday and fitter too. Good tackles made and taken .
11.30. Free kick by FFC just outside our area. Saved by Connor Baxter.
Again I say we are playing fitter and more togetherness .

Half Time .
Nathan Astbury off and Alyn Burcea on
Manager Kev Mort plays his subs .
11.40 Rain unabated
11.55 We score as Alyn nets, but ruled out by the referee .More subs made .
12.03 1-3 FFC win a corner , and another, then they strike and score
12.10 1-4 Ooops – Forceful play by FFC as we tire
Connor pulls off a fine save at the feet of an onrushing striker
12.26 Then 1-5

The score not a reflection on our input . Just not fully fit yet and we will improve as we play a good number of such friendlies .

Given the fact that we have a strip of 18 sets and a signed on squad of 36 wanting to be able to play for Audlem, we take the decision to centralise all kit with me and in that way we can cope with whoever turns up. I had thought to give the strip by number to the squad but can not afford to run up to number 36 !
The kit we have now cost £500 with just 18 sets.
So I am back to laundering it each week . And that way we can cope with all eventualities .
Next match is Sunday 23rd at home versus White Horse FC -- again in a friendly as we seek fitness .