AFC report

Sunday August 23rd v White Horse of Nantwich

Awake to a much calmer day with a lazy sun rising at 0601 . The detritus left behind by the big winds -- in the form of leaves and branches -- brought to us on the wings of an unusual low pressure centre .
I see the swallows frantically building up their reserves as they get ready for their long flight back to Africa and a brief outing by the many butterflies yesterday in the sun that came out after lunch.
Out at 0915 after marking the latest on line quiz , and again in the event getting my adding up of scores wrong , and drive to the pitch . All marked out by Kev Mort yesterday . Chesire East had cut the grass on Wednesday which helps in a big way.
14 players had declared themselves but in the event we had just the bare 11 at kick off. A bit disappointing that.
Our opponents are White Horse of Nantwich . Playing in their blue/black strip so we use our reserve one if yellow and blue .

Referee is Rick Bradfield .

11.00 Strange again to be kicking off without the wonderful bell ringing of the St James team .
Again the usual frantic start as we attack each other . My players in fact looking more together than last game which is heartwarming .
11.03 WH force the first corner . No gain
11.06 A sunrise attack and they score -- but ruled offside.
Hint of blue sky -- but not enough to make a sailor some new pants .
11.10 Connor Baxter in goal saves what looked to be a sure goal .Super stop.
Pace is fast. Another corner to WH -- no gain.
We take a player down in the box with shouts of penalty but the referee says no.
Overall at present a good day weather wise , and with Audlem playing so much better .
11.20 Thomas Capewell is taken down very badly and we fear for his head. But after a short time, up gets Thomas .
11.25 Pete Jones turns up . He last played for us 30 months ago when he snapped both tibia and fibula ! A horrendous taking down in a tackle as he raced down the long at speed . But now he strips off and gets a kit on as he sees that we have no subs . Great spirit of Pete.
Sun comes back a tad.
11.28 lyn Burcea arrives having been held up at work. Gets kitted up. Now we are a squad of 13 .
11.30 Breakaway run by WH and Connor pulls off a great stop. Saves a certain goal.
11.35 Kev Mort comes off as Alyn takes to the field .
11.40 Free kick for us, taken by Kev Rodgers but no gain as his shot balloons over the goal .
Ross Henderson has a strike and clatters into the keeper.

1-0

11.43 We score as Alyn puts his shot away

1-1

11.44 And blow me down! WH race upfield and score
Just as we reach half time
Smell of rain in the air as we resume play. Pete Jones on for Nathan Astbury.
Super strike by WH hits the left upright.
11.54 Corner to WH . No gain .
11.55 Rain arrives .
Play still evens . Each side putting on a good show . Alyn is a real threat to WH . His shot from 30 yards is shaved.
12.00 Rain now much heavier. Papers getting wet .
Corner to us. Taken by Andrew Betteley but no gain .
12.05 Free kick to WH. Just outside our box . Three man wall . Safe
Overall we are performing far better than the last two games . Far more together .
A chance for us to score but missed .
12.10 Connor again pulls off a great save.
Some tired legs out there fir both sides.
WH strike and hit the side netting . Seem to be slightly edging it at present.
1215 Free kick to WH -- wasted

1-2

A run up field and WH score
Three definite fouls by WH not acted on by the referee .

2-2

Super feed by Kev Rodgers to Andrew Betteley who passes to Ross Henderson -- who scores !
Sun comes out as James Bebbington comes off. Kev Mort back on .
12.30 Another chance for Alyn -- goalie saving at his feet.

2-3

12.33 WH score with seconds left of play.

Off we troop after changing in the open area. Still not allowed to use the Annexe .
Chips and delicious sandwiches for both sides at the Bridge Inn.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC