Audlem F C v Cricketers Arms

Sunday 3rd February, so the day dawned and I was full of enthusiasm for the match, albeit a trifle tired after four days of the Panto Bar. But looking forward to getting going again after the lay-up forced by the severe weather.

The day took Audlem FC off to the Sandbach Boys' School grounds. Geoff – our manager – just given the bare 14 men from which to make a team. And still no settled team.

Out to the pitch – a big one. With a slope to one goal mouth. A dismal soaking drizzle: a true Scotch mist. A soft pitch but well drained, thankfully. Referee Ian Hurdle (who, as an aside, played for Goostrey Village and played in Audlem some 25 years ago against the team of the day then.) He get's us off – playing down the slope.

I am standing on the touch line and getting wetter as the rain falls gently, in stark contrast to the way our opposition attack us time and time again – nothing gentle in their teamwork. A barrage of shots at our goalie Ed Holmes. He pulls off great save after great save – one of which, a finger tip one, that would have been a fine photo one had the press been there.
A lovely ball by Kev Mort and our first corner.

Play continues with most of the attack on our goal. Then a fine run and a fierce cross by Kev Rogers is met by Skipper Mort – who heads well over an open goal. Our best chance – gone.

Still the rain falls and by now my Reefer coat and my Fedora are covered in fine diamonds of rain drops. And not only is the rain falling, so to are we – as we go down with a clumsily defended goal. 0-1.

Five minutes later 0-2! Then 0-3. Then 0-4!! We are in pieces. All positional play gone. Heads down. Ed so dispirited. Geoff in despair. The half time whistle goes – relief at last, for a moment. Much haranguing as positions are altered to try to stop the stream of attacks.

Second half

The rain has stopped now but a biting cold wind springs up. And the attack by the Cricketers team continues apace. Within minutes we are down 0-5. A few moments later 0-6! On it goes. 0-7!

Subs played as Dan Lowe comes off and Alex Cliff is on for his blooding at the age of 16. Dan Morris off and Alan Brindley on. Yet the slaughter goes. We are truly abysmal. Chasing shadows as they attack and attack, playing as a team with converted passes aplenty. 0-8!

Sub. Kev Walters is on to replace Kev Brindley. 0-9! And James Bebbington booked.
Frustration all over us as we are torn apart, dissected by a far better team.

It finishes at 0-10.

A game of men and boys. A very, very hard lesson from which we hope we will emerge as the Phoenix from the Ashes of this very unequal game.

Our next game is here at home on the 10th February versus Bank Corner Team – who have beaten twice us season.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman Audlem FC

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