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Audlem FC Match report 3rd March 2019

5th March 2019 @ 6:06am – by Ralph Warburton
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Up early as per usual. And dawn just breaking with a veritable cathedral of bird song and the dawn chorus is in full throat. A really wonderful sound of so many birds singing away in these early spring days. I do urge you to try one morning to be up and hear this magical part of nature. My gardens and the fields all around resound with many different songs.
So good to be alive.

But, will I be happy at 1245 after we play our next match versus Haslington. We last met many months ago and we beat them. Can we repeat that score again with a building there?

Wet, grey day.

Changing rooms not a patch on the luxury we have in Audlem. Adequate I think is the word. Players arrive but by bit and the promised 17 drops down to 14. And some nursing hangovers. So I worry that we are not a fit bunch.

Referee Terry Smith arrives in good time.

Off we troop to pitch number 2, across very long-grassed grounds.

Opponents with full numbers.

We play in our yellow strip which I privately feel is a lucky strip. We shall see as we kick off sharp at 1058.

  • Usual fast pace as men get their dander up. Three subs as Iain Chalker joins us. His first game this season. Formation is 4-3-3 as we aim to pressure opponents.
  • First race up field sees their goalie out of position. A gaping goal but we do not capitalise.
  • Long throw from Ross Henderson as we press hard. The two pitches in the grounds are far too close together with our ball so often going into the next pitch. Such a huge pitch as compared to our own. Drizzle continues making my papers quite damp.
  • 1110: We get a corner as we continue to boss the play . Great ball by Lewis Williams that results in a corner for us. No gain
  • 1115: good ball to Trevor McDowell but his shot goes wide. Superb run by Ross- crosses to Andrew Beco Betteley. But goalie punches away his shot. Sam Mason injured but the magic water works its wonders. But only briefly.
  • 1130: Sam comes off and Iain Chalker comes on for his first game for many a month.
  • 1135: Referee awards a soft penalty as their player is toppled over in what can be said to be a dive. Fires In the shot. And scores. 0-1 . This after we have been on top all the time. Trevor send a fine ball up the pitch, met by Beco but no gain.
  • 1140: Precipitation lessens which is very welcome. Clever shot from Will Cork is met by Kev Berisford but he is tackled down.

HALF TIME

Water taken in and Kev Rodgers gives his pep talk

  • 1153: Off we go in the second half.
  • Yet again Will feeds a ball to Kev B but his shot gathered in by the goalie. We are still bossing the play as we force another corner. All the play is in their half as we press and press.
  • 1202: Lewis feeds a great ball to Kev B and he puts it away!! 1-1. Just reward for all the domination we have.
  • 1206: Still pressing and Iain Chalker sends in a cross from the far corner area -- which bends beautifully into their goal. His first game for months and he scores!! 2-1.
  • Then. Fisticuffs as Haslington players react in their frustration. Referee breaks it up and luckily the anger of Kev Rodgers does not fully erupt into a full red mist. No bookings.
  • We attack their goal again and again. But no further gain yet. Still most of the play in opponent's half.
  • 1215: Will Cork taken down. Magic water again as James Bebbington races on to help him.
  • Hard tackle takes Lewis down. He is such a combative payer and shows no fear.
  • Kev B races into to their box and is taken down- but referee gives us no penalty. A bit harsh that.
  • 1222: Kev Mort comes on as Will comes off. Bringing his craft and calming air to the team.
  • 1226: Kev B taken down again as he races towards their goal. This time a free kick awarded just outside their area. No gain.
  • Another half chance for Kev B who is on fire today, wearing his favoured number 7 shirt. Corners aplenty and opponents do get one as their make a rare foray into our half.
  • Free kick to them and I think -- set pieces so often are our undoing. Fierce low kick goes through the wall and strikes our post, Phew.
  • Corner to us. Feed by Beco and this is met by Kev B who rifles in a shot and scores. 3-1!!!

Game over. A game we bossed from the off. Great feeling as we troop off to the shower. Just the one so a crowded bunch of blokes in it.

Off we all drive to the Leopard in Nantwich where I buy the first round. Great pub and restaurant with good food.

Next game for us is on the 24th at home versus Nantwich Pirates, and then our final game of the season is on the 31st – Mothering Sunday – versus Brighton Belle, again at home.

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C


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