Audlem FC Match Report

Audlem F C

SUNDAY 4th April

A great day for our team as we now are allowed to play after shutting down before Christmas.

Kit all assembled . Balls inflated . Medical bag checked.

And off I drive at 0930. First to the COOP for those superb croissants . And coins in my change for later when players pay their match day subs . This week only charging them 3 as all players will be given the chance to play. 20 said OK . We shall see .

The pitch is superb . Firm. Clear of dog poo. Lines well marked . Light morning frost soon gone.

Given Covid Rules as applied by the New Annexe , we cannot have showers nor the use of the changing rooms.

So men have to change in the open by the picnic tables .

Our opponents- Sydney Arms – arrive dressed ready.

In the end we have 16 players plus our player manager, Kev Mort .

Referee today is Ian Hurdle and very good to see him here again. A fine firm referee but with good sense to let the game flow .

As we get kitted up, I note the sad absence of the Church bells, pealing out to welcome the congregation. Have been silent so long and such an integral part of our village life.

1100

Kick off . And the waves of testosterone so evident as players go at speed – so happy to be playing the game.

The League in their wisdom (?) decided to change todays play to a friendly after much "argy bargy" from some teams .

But to us it win , win , win!!

Kev Mort as Mgr,, Thomas Capewell as Skipper, Connor Baxter in goal .

Plan is to use roll on roll off subs to ensure fair chance of playing for all.

We in our Marston's Red Kit and Sydney Arms in blue .

Fast and furious is the play from both sides.

Then

1109

Kev Rodgers feeding a long ball and Alyn Burcea meets it. Fights his way round a crowd of defenders – and scores!

1-0 . What a way to start!

On the play goes. Few folks coming and going in the morning sunshine. Families so happy to be able to be out in the fresh air .

Then .

1115

The bells of St James peal out ! They ring what seems like a quarter peal . Wonderful. Perhaps in response to us scoring? He said, tongue in cheek.

Play goes on , still fast AND Kev Mort making changes as the minutes tick by. Some dirty play by Sydney Arms get the tongue lash of the Ref.

1125

First corner of the game – goes to SA . Superb by them but it flies over the cross bar .

No gain .

Fierce up-field attack by SA , but Connor pulls of a fine save.

1140. Long shot on our goal and Connor tips it over the bar.

2nd corner for SA .

Still no corners for us

HALF TIME

Goodly smattering of folks here now as dogs are walked by. Some advice shouted out to encourage us.

David & Debbie Robertson here – long time supporters of the team.

And they very generously tell me they are donating £100 to us for our funds. A very noble gesture indeed.

Off we go again. Leading still

Some tired legs evident after such a long layoff

1201

Free kick for us . 1st one. No gain

1210

Free kick to SA . Just outside the box. Kick sails over the defence wall – and Connor saves !

1215

A drinks break declared by Referee Hulme .

1225 . High ball by Kev Mort , loops over the defenders -and into the net!!!

A superb goal

2 – 0

Nice to see such a score line. Sydney getting more riled .

Referee has to severely admonish one of their men. No booking though .

Now SA attack hard , seeking to get on the score sheet. . Shot palmed away by Connor. Playing very well between the sticks .

1228

Some hand bagging dispute . A bit of pushing and shoving which Ref calms down.

1233

Long free kick, taken by Dan Rooney – and his shot loops over all players – and skims the bar. What a near chance for another goal

FULL TIME

To sum up.

Superb team work . Great subbing by Mgr Kev Mort who scored a real fine goal. .

Man of the Match goes to young Ben Walker.

Referee comes over to say how disgusted he was with the play of some of the Sydney Arms Team . Good refereeing throughout .

A fine victory . . Next game is on the 11th

Away to White Horse in Nantwich

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC