AFC Sunday match report

I wake quite early as is my habit . To a dark morning with sunrise around 0620.
Work awhile before I venture out to my sauna and as I do , three magnificent swans go overhead of my garden. Quote low and the sound of their strong wing beats carry far. The long necks fully extended as if to pierce the air before them. No other sound , as bird song has more or less ceased.
Bird seed out as usual.
Then work more on quiz teams answers .

But. Our game

Out at 0915 to the COOP for their superb fresh croissants .
Arrive at the terrace of the Annexe – we are still forbad use of the facilities so all changing is here outside for all players. Visitors too. Not the best thing but hopefully we will be able to use the rooms later on . As the responsible COVID officer for both the teams , home and visitors , I have ordered a temperature gun, sanitizers etc plus listing all for any trace and place needs.
We meet Telford Rangers FC this game . Never played them before, but their track record is good .

Referee is again Jem Cornes .

We play in our number 2 kit . Blue and white .
Visitors in dark blue and yellow stripes
Excellent turn out of our players – 17 in all!
So a headache for manager Kev Mort . On the plus side of course.

11:00. Kick off sharp
Fast play as each side sizes up the other. Lots of running and already some hard tackles from TRFC .
First corner to us. No gain
11:15 Ross Henderson – as fearless as ever – shoots well but into the side net.
Church bells ringing out as there is a service at 1130. Unusual , but isn't all unusual at present.
11:20 A scramble in their goal mouth as we try to force a goal. No chance as TR defended hard.
James Bebbington taken down in a harsh tackle . Lies still for moments , but gets up and is ok .
11:25 Great ball by Andrew Beco Betteley to Kev Rodgers and on to Mike Parker who stretches but ball evades his boot.
Once more we have a goodly number of spectators , of all ages.
11:28 Best chance for TRFC to score as they rampage up field, but sheer number of defenders stop them .
11:30 And again Connor Baxter saves
Play now more or less 50/50 .
Sub played by visitors.
We win a free kick right on the edge of their box. No gain
Bright sunshine on a very calm day.
11:40 Free kick for TRFC . Right into Connor's embrace.
Subs played by us.

1-0

11:43 We are awarded a penalty as Kevin Berisford is taken down .
Up steps Sam Mason who slots it in .

Then half time whistle .
Second Half.
Weather still fine . More spectators arrive . Kev makes changes to players and formation.
11:58 Super run by Kev Rodgers, met by Beco. Who fires wide .
Corner for us . No gain
Fast and furious play with visitor's rattled and tacking harshly .
Ball to Alin Burcea who feeds Seb Burrows . Saved .
More subbing
12:20 Corner byTRFC is direct and Connor saves as he tips the shot away. Corner after corner as opponents press hard . Tacking ever more fiercely .
12:23 Free kick for us in their box – 12 yards from goal. Alin's shot goes well wide.

2-0

12:26 Another penalty awarded to us as again Kevin B is taken down . Beco steps up to the plate and scores
12:35 Ross chopped down harshly as he races in full flight. Hurts him but as normal , up he gets.
Game over.

A good win . A good game for all our players.
Back to the Bridge as we entertain our visitors .

Next game – the last friendly – is next Sunday, 13th versus Betley FC .
Then we begin the season proper on the 20th , with a home tie .

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC