AFC Report

Wake very early as is my habit most mornings- and to switch on my radio for BBC 4 and the BBC World Service. One gets some very interesting world views on a wide range of topics. Makes the now dark early mornings more bearable. Sadly when I get myself down to my yard, I am greeted by a wet sugar sky lowering over all the firmament. And that light persistent drizzle that seems to be set for a good while. True dreich weather as they would say north of the border. Memories of the Buzzards soaring in a bright blue sky- and with their piercing cry vanquished to memory. How I miss those sunny days already.. Right now in these early hours, the road is silent. The only sound coming to me across the fields is that of a cock a' crowing to welcome the new day. But now days grow shorter and darker earlier as we trundle off to the autumn months.

Today's match

Our very first League match of the season.
We play against a new team to the Sunday League. Broadhurst FA, whose home pitch is way north of Northwich. A good hour's drive from my house.
So – car loaded with kit, balls, medical bag with ice spray and heat rub. And painkillers, mostly for myself and my back troubles. New pump for inflating the footballs. First league game for our new strip. A turnout of 15 players should give us steel in the ranks.
We are welcomed by Edward Broadhurst, whose family has been connected to soccer hereabouts since 1928, when they had a family bakery in Northwich. All kitted up and out to the pitch. The widest in all the league (Our own pitch by the by is the smallest!!)Opponents look quite tall in midfield.

11:00 Kick off as Referee Jack Hubbert blows his whistle. He is a new ref. and is being assessed today.

11:04 They race upfield and blow me down, and score!!! 0-1 and this in the first 5 minutes.

Then in truth, we are the stronger team as we boss the game. Great close shot by Will Cork. Very fast pace to the game. One of their players goes down after a clean tackle by Nathan Miskelly, who is full of running and fearless in his play. Game stopped for a good 5 minutes. Player is hurt for he has to be subbed.

11:30 Sky darkening and looks like we may have rain. Pitch grass not too bad -- on a par I feel with our own. Game now a bit is a mish-mash as it seems to be lacking shape and direction.

11:35 We play our first sub as Lee Macca McConnel comes on and Will Cork is taken off. Opponents in our area and fire in a fine shot which Connor saves with a real reflex action. Stops a sure goal.

HALF TIME We are still bossing the game but not getting into their box enough. Lots of water taken on board. Will's shin hurting as is Mark's back. Lots of spray onto flesh

SECOND HALF Few spots of rain. Kev Rodgers off and back comes Will. Considering the play, we have had the most chances to score but cannot put them away. They have up to now just that lucky shot when they scored.

12:05 And Connor saves at the feet of the striker,.

12:11 Superb cross under pressure by new signing Ben Spruce is met by a header – low down -- from Mark Parker 1-1

Again we dominate play Nathan MisKelly off and Joe Benson on.

12:15 A goal for them-suspicion of from an offside position, but the goal stands. 1-2

Kev Mort comes on – he arrived home at 05:00 from Turkey and is as brown as a Hovis loaf. Will comes off for the last time. Ben Spruce off and young Tom Bebbington on

12:34..Ref awards opposition a penalty!! They score as Connor goes the wrong way. 1-3.

And that is how we finished.

First game of the season and a defeat. In truth and dispassionately, the Referee had a poor game and I suspect his assessor will not mark him high. Opponents name Trev Mc Dowell of MOM for Audlem.
Next game is at home on this Wednesday at 18:30 kick l off. Do come a give us your support as we face Haslington F C

I feature along with this my first report of the new season, a photograph supplied to me by Steve Davenport – one of the regular quizzers at the Lord C. It shows Audlem Town F C at the start of 1938/9 season. Looking at the men in civvies it looks like it was being run by the KGB!! Seriously I wonder just how many of those shown returned after the war which broke out at the end of that season.

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.