Audlem FC Match Report

Audlem 6-3 Ruskin Park — Match Report

Audlem Football Club cruised to victory in their first game of 2024 with an excellent victory over a youthful Ruskin Park on Sunday. After taking an early lead, Audlem were never behind, and turned on some quality football with six different scorers.

Audlem's last game was in the cup against the same opponents on 10th December, and a combination of Christmas and weather meant a five week absence of games. Having lost last time out, revenge was the order of the day. With a healthy squad of 15 to pick from, spirits were up at kick off.

Audlem started on the front foot, attacking the Cemetery End, and forced a couple of early corners. Good deliveries from Josh Dennis were unconvincingly dealt with as the home side pressed. The deserved break through came on 10 minutes. After a Ruskin defender sliced his clearance, Ben Walker beat the goalkeeper to the ball to finish first time from a tight angle. 1-0.

The home side continued to push and dominate the ball. A sublime ball in from Josh Dennis found its way to Cameron Rodgers at the back post and he cooly finished first-time in the bottom corner. 2-0.

Despite being under the cosh, Ruskin got back into the game on 22 minutes following a simple back pass clearance being charged down and going straight in. 2-1.

The away team then delivered their best 20 minutes as Audlem went missing. The pace of their striker was causing problems and stretching the game, and following a move down the right-hand side, the ball was worked in field for a long-range equaliser on 33 minutes. 2-2.

The game was breathless, and at times end-to-end, but Audlem were determined to get the ball down and play despite a heavy pitch. When the ball was played wide, the wingers were getting space to run into, and looked threatening every time they went forward. They were rewarded just before the break when a lovely passing move on the right was squared by Cam Rodgers for Seb Burrows to slam home into the top corner.

Half time — Audlem 3-2 Ruskin Park

Into the second half, and the home team continued to play some good football, forcing the play. Audlem continued to look looking dangerous from set pieces, and it was a long throw in that brought the fourth. After the ball in wasn't cleared, Nick Gregory got a toe on it for Sam Mason to finish. 4-2.

The visitors were seeing much less of the ball, but were still threatening on the break. On 62 minutes a slick move down the right brought them back into the game once more. 4-3.

Audlem regained their two goal lead moments later. James Craig playing through to substitute Andrew Betterley who beat the keeper to the ball to finish low into the net. 5-3.

From this point Audlem never looked like giving up the win, but they added a sixth on 77 minutes. James Craig was putting in a man-of-the-match performance and dominating the midfield. His deserved goal came after tackling a defender, advancing on the keeper, rounding him and scoring through the legs of the defender on the line. 6-3.

Audlem then saw the game out to take a deserved three points.

Full time — Audlem 6-3 Ruskin Park

Audlem remain 5th in the league — 6 points off the top with three games in hand.

Next up, Audlem play Betley FC in the cup who are currently 2nd in the Division above. Sunday 21st January, 11am Kick Off.

We hope to see you there.