Audlem FC Match Report 5th December

Sunday 5th December Match Report

As I rise in the dark of the morning, with cloud cover extensive and switch on my sauna to reach 70c , I note the silence . No owls. No geese overhead. Just rain, and more rain.

Now – recalling a very very wet and cold night spent last night – as we assisted Santa ... on his annual sleigh ride through the avenues, streets and lanes of our magical village . Foul weather . Filthy weather , as we set of from the Butter Market in the centre of the village . A band of 6 big eleven and three little elves plus Santa there as the rain and the hail drove across the road into the sleigh. Set off at 1745 and down Stafford Street – carol songs loud to give notice of our approach , and touring for the next nearly 4 hours. The elves , big and little , walked a total of just under 13 kilometres that night, knocking on doors and being greeted by so many children in their pj's and night wear along with mums , dads and grandparents . Hundreds of photos taken with Santa .

Finally back to the warmth and comfort of the Lord Combermere At 2200 ish. Tired, wet, cold but so happy that again we have brought a little start of Christmas

But. Football !

Yes. We were at home, because our opponents, Crewe & Nantwich Utd cannot get a pitch . New referee in Ed Weetman , level 6 qualification, who has moved into the area from Surrey. We give him a very warm welcome .

Very good turn out of players despite the foul weather. Pitch well drained and considering the water that has hit lately, in good order. I have again to moan about those folks who cannot give a damn and let their dog crap on the pitch and not bother to clear up. Disgusting behaviour . Just imagine a young one with a wound falling on such mess!

But back to the game

Late kick off as accident in the dip before Hankelow being cleared and the usual flood in Corbrook dip,delays players and referee.

So

Kick off at

1110

Opponents in their blue and black. Us in our red / black kit

( my eldest son, Simon who is head of Royal Enfield UK , calls by on his way to Stockport regarding classic bikes, good to see him albeit briefly . )

Usual rush of blood to the head as both side race away , warning cold limbs etc. Very loud voices all round as the church bells cease their ringing. Car Park full .

David Farral, senior executive of the league here and always very welcome

1112

1st free kick to C&N . No gain.

1115

Super fierce shot by Will Cork – and he scores!

1-0

What a start – and what a player

Another free kick to C&N . No gain.

Lovely pass by Seb Burrows to Nick Gregory . He shoots, but pink robed goalie saves. Comments from the side lines says he looks like a pink condom, but I cannot say such .

1128

Shot by opponents , goes wide.

Jack Welch sends in a shot but he hits the bar, as we pressure hard for more goals.

1130.

C&N playing hard . Fast pace.

1135

Yet another free kick for them

1140

Great cross by Seb Burrows, met by Kev Rodgers and driven on to Jack Welch whose shot goes wide .

Play about 50/50

1144

Great chance for Will Cork but he fires wide.

Both sides strive to score again .

1155

Fierce shot by Nick Gregory but goalie saves.

Followed by shot by Will Cork and again saved .

Half Time called

Restart and again we are out first and ready to go .

1204. Dan Rooney send in a sweet ball to Will Cork who heads it home!

2-0

1206

Another shot by Nick Gregory – goes wide.

Nick pulled down so free kick but no gain. Nick ok

Language still good so much so that the one yelled F word rings out very clear. Sub as Seb Burrows comes off as Carl Greatbanks enters the field of play .

C & N race up filed . And in the melee of defence, an own goal as ball rebounds off skipper Thomas Capewell .

2-1

1220

Shot by Nick Gregory rebounds off the pink goalie and Will Cork following up sends it home!

3-1 His Hat Trick !

1223

An offside decision not given allows opponents to score an easy goal

3-2

Are we being a bit loose in front of goal. ?

Sub as Tiny Sindstadt comes on for Rob Martin

1230

Sub as Ben Walker replaces triumphant Will Cork .

Race upfield by Nick Gregory seeking a goal. His shot just wide.

1235

Free kick to us. Ball in their box but in the scrap , Thomas Capewell is down , hurt as he gets big kick on his ankle. He limps off after initial treatment by Physio Emma

Rob Marin back on .

1249

Game Over.

Another win. Still top of the league . And no loss at all . Will Cork man of the match – for his scoring, his mid field play and Indeed his defending play .

Troop off to Bridge for the regular chip butties.

Next game

At home versus Ruskin F C . On the 12th

Our last game of the year is on the 19th away and versus Leighton F C .

Ralph Warburton

Audlem F C