AFC Report

Match of the day and millionaire Gary L giving forth with his so brief appearance over the TV signals. Good to have it back , after the national teams took over -- but enough of the performance of England under a manager whose only true mark on the game has been to wear a Waistcoat .

I must make mention of the total glory of nature these past weeks in the stunning colours of the trees as the chlorophyll leaves the branches and the oranges, reds and yellow shine forth. I understand that this years spectacular show was aided much by the wonderful taste of an Indian summer we had in September, with warm sunshine days
See my accompanying photos.

But.- The match

Playing at home on the playing field , marked out well , versus AFC Talbot of Nantwich.
In agreement with the Annexe , we are able to use the changing room. Totally sanitized. Temperatures taken of all players, home and away side and ichecked -- and no showering.
Referee is Jem Cornes, who is always made welcome as he is one of the top refs in the league and very fair .
The church clock strikes the hour.

11:00 Kick off. The mad scramble gets underway as each side warms up , both bodily and with their language. I must make it clear that in truth, the fruitier words are uttered by the Opposition. True!
We in our blue/white strip .
Cool sitting on the side lines as I do . My gloves on for the first time of autumn days.

11:07 Cry for a penalty as Talbot players goes down in slow motion. A silly appeal that gets no response from Ref.
Another free kick. No gain either way

11:10 Free kick for Talbot. No progress.
11:15. More. A free kick for us.

1-0

11:18. Great ball crossed in front of their goal and six foot plus Pete Jones -- playing his first full game since his horrendous bad double leg bone break, rises and heads a great ball into their net.
Great stuff .

11:20. More free kicks, Talbot quite fiery and very vociferous.
James Bebbington fouls a player -- equals a free kick, but no gain.

1-1

11:25 But the next few minutes means another FK, for Talbot.
Kick and the ball right into our net.

11:28 Super ball by Will Cork feeds the running Andrew Betteley but his shot is saved .
Very fast game and would say about 50/50 in the play .
Getting quite frantic and a bit too scrappy in truth.
Shot by James Bebbington is saved by their keeper .

1-2

11:43 Corner to Talbot. And a mixed aims defence allows them to put it away in our net So sad.
Pace has not lessened at all since kick off.

11:45 And Half Time whistle stops play.

Subs time – James Bebbington and Sam Mason off. Alyn Burcea and Dan Rooney on.

And off we go again .
Connor in goal groggy after a challenge. Some moments go by as we see if he is ok. Thankfully yes, as we have no true sub for him.
(I call the Bridge Inn to confirm we will be there later for the beers and the chip butties. Total Covid seated etc with full trace and place)
Will Cork, playing his usual fine game, is tackled heavily and goes down. Card for offending player.

12:15 Alyn in full flight is taken down harshly. A bit groggy. But he carries on.
This half does belong to Talbot as they attack time -- and time again. Corner after corner.
Kev Rodgers booked for a fierce tackle.

1-3

12:35 Again our defence ripped apart and Talbot score again.

And so it finishes. We lose. Second defeat in a row.
All troop off. Talbot Walking tall.
Kev Mort and I clean up after mucky boots kicked clean.
Troop off to the Inn after reporting the results to league secretary -- as is required.
Made very welcome by staff at The Bridge .
Man of the match goes to Will Cork for his total endeavour .

Next game is again at home versus Princes Feathers of Nantwich

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C