Audlem FC at Faddiley

Wake to a truly glorious day, with a big red sun peeking over the top of The Tithe Barn to the east of my garden.

It is so lovely to mark the spot where the sun comes up over the year – starts well over to the left, far to the east-nor-east in the winter, and moves to the right as the days lengthen and we rush to better days.

The sound of the birds singing in a truly cathedral way is so beautiful and the appearance of the frog spawn on my little pond – with the croaking frogs – is a sure sign of good days coming.

Our opponents today are Faddilley FC. We play there on their sloping pitch. A tiny village of just 150 persons, its most famous place is the Thatch Restaurant/pub – previously entitled The TolleMarché Arms.

A stone cross from medieval times sits on The Woodhey Green with a superb big spreading tree to the sideland of the Goodwill Hall which is the centre of the village and where we change into our Orange strip. I make a mental note to try to find out just what tree it is.

So, with planes chalking their way across a blue sky as they head for the south, we address the pitch and note it slopes to the left – and to the right – and to the sides with wet ditches. Surrounded by farmland (informed that the farmer is a bit iffy about balls landing on his fields!) and not a church bell to be heard.

Sad to report that we have just 11 players prepared or available to turn out today – even on such a fine day! And we hear that Faddilley too has had problems getting a full team together. Such apathy is hard to bear, but onwards and upwards and out to have a great game in the best sunshine of the year to date.

Referee today is Darren Barnes. Our management team of Geoff and James set a formation – with their hands tied – that we hope will succeed. And James himself is playing with a damaged ankle – well strapped up.

Kick off sharp at 1058. Opponents in a smart navy strip. We lose the toss and are sent to play up the steepest slope.

FFC win the 1st corner. Their shot cleared off the line by Kev Walters who all in all will enjoy a fine game. First free kick to them and their shot caught well by Connor Baxter in goal.
Another attack on our goal is thwarted by Gaz Jones.

Game is a good 50/50 contest with us shaping up well. Good driven shot by Sam O'Hara – so full of running – is saved low down. First free kick to us – a good cross but just wide of their goal.

Connor's goal kicks are much improved. 11.20: Then a stupid soft goal. 0-1!

Good shot by Gary Keenan goes wide as we attack. Bit of scruffy cloud shades the sun briefly cooling the air – but soon gone.

Good shot by FFC caught safely by CB, followed by another full face save.

Superb cross from Sam O'Hara is met by Skipper Kev Mort – and he scores! 1-1.

Air warming up and I note the first flies of the year, much joy no doubt to the nesting birds.
Ref. blows up. Nice to go into half time drawing.

Second Half

Now we are playing down the worst slope. Fluky header towards our goal – just tipped away by CB to give a corner. And blow me down, FFC score from the corner! 1-2.

I muse – are we into the second half malaise we so often suffer. Free kick to us, to no avail.
(On the sidelines as I write my notes, the aroma of food being prepped at the Thatch wafts over. Smells very tempting indeed.)

Very good run by Sam and his cross is met by Kev Mort who shoots just over the bar. AFC really playing well. These 11 brave players. Injury to FFC player – subbed.

Great play then and fine shot by Sam – saved. Then FFC race upfield – shoot – and CB saves yet again. Free kick to us and we force a corner. Clash of heads as Gaz Jones goes down . But thankfully up and OK.

Great run forward by Jim Davies forces another corner. Taken by Sam O;H – and met by a shot from Peter Jones – and he scores! 2-2.

As the game comes to an end, we are pressing hard and none of the second half lethargy we have had before. A cheeky very high shot played by Gary Keenan as he sees the goalie off his line – just goes over the bar.

12.35 the Ref, who has had a fine controlled game , with no bookings, blows up.

A good game. Played in good humour and clean language – well almost. Well earned point for us – with just the 11 men and true!

Man of the Match – Peter Jones for his overall play and his well taken goal.

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