Audlem FC away to Haslington

Awake quite early and in time to wonderful full moon – like a huge silver dollar hanging in the Western sky, as it travels on towards the western horizon.

I wonder if seeing such a sight is good luck – as we set out later today to travel to Haslington for our game.

It is a fact that the side we see of the moon is always that of the one side as it orbits earth.
Enough of thoughts of luck.

Meet up with Geoff Stretch at the car park and set off at 9.55am to drive to Haslington Cricket Club. Arrive at the second car park but as this is a mud quagmire, we then repair to the main park. Full of cars as there is also a play barn hosting Charlotte's birthday party.

Team arrives. Just the bare 11 players. And of these we have Andrew Betteley with an injured back; Alan Brindley still not 100% – and Jimmy Murphy in goal and nursing a damaged knee.
Hey Ho. No subs at all.

A mixed photo of all taken to commemorate the famous 1914 football kick about between the Allies and The Germans as the battle ceased that Christmas time. Then a minute silence in respect of our opponents captain's father having died this weekend.

Kick off then and on a very soft pitch that cuts up readily.
Cold. A cold wind cutting down the pitch – sound of traffic racing along the M6 as the back drop to our play.
Free kicks to Haslington come to naught. Attacking more effective by them as they camp in our half.
Shot hits our post.Thankfully.
Play quiet frantic. Sun comes out to give a semblance of warmth – but sadly just a semblance.
HFC score but player was offside.
In our goal Jimmy pulls off a fine save – and again – and again. Peppering our goal.
Corner taken by HFC- and here we go again as we concede a goal from a set play once more.
How on earth do we leak goals so often from set pieces?
11.35 and my extremities very cold. Even with my gloves on. (I think to myself – what a way to spend a Sunday Morning. Could be warm at home wrapping my Xmas gifts etc.)
Then, we give away a penalty as Gary Jones fouls an attacker:
0-2 now
We are truly the whipping boys of the league. Shape is all to pieces.

11.40 and the clouds lift and give us very low brilliant sunshine. HFC are walking past us as they attack and attack our goal.
They are very vociferous in their urging of each other's play. And no foul language. A very good thing to observe.

Jimmy stops a certain goal with a fine at his feet save.
Half Time and we all troop off. Team talk heavy on recriminations. But we must pull together if we are to make an impressions on the result.

Second Half

James Bebbington fires in with the best chance of the game but shoots wide. A good sign.
HFC still pressuring us. A times it seems as though they have 20 players on the pitch.
Another fine chance for us but the shot is again wide. Pete Jones fires in and again wide.
Lady Luck certainly not with us this day.

HFC have the luxury of 3 subs and they use 2 of them with good effect as fresh legs come into play. Darren Walker playing very well with good passing. Hits the side netting with a long run up field.
Then – hooray. We score. Alan Betteley – bad back and all – scores.
1-2. Now we should try to get a win.
Later, blow me down. Kev Rodgers brings down a player in the box. Second penalty. Kev gets a yellow card.
They score
1- 3!

Wind now very fierce. And a cold wind chill factor. Referee loses some composure and command and makes some strange decisions against HFC.
Another penalty given away by us. But this time Jimmy saves the shot. Phew.
Full time
Game over. We still seek that elusive win.

I must say it was a pleasure meeting with Haslington FC. Very good management. Very clean and fair players. Full mark to them for hosting us well and their kind invite for a beer after the match but not taken up as family commitments take precedence.

Will be a pleasure for us when we meet them at Audlem in the New Year.
Our next three games are at Home. First versus Rookery Tavern F C who we believe are hard to play against.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AudlemFC

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