Audlem FC Match Report

Sunday 8th August On Audlem Village Playing Field .

Wednesday of this week last , and as I prepare myself for my reappearance on the sidelines for our next game in our preseason tour, I take a gentle stroll around my garden in the coming twilight – on a very calm ,mild eve – big with the sun slowly drooping down to the West. All is still and silent, but for the harsh cry of a magpie's complaint , over to the poplars. All other bird song has ceased as the fledglings have flown the nest. Traffic noise still mostly absent as it has been ever sine the first lock down . Lawns all freshly mown and looking well manicured . Many flowers in bloom. Makes one think how lovely is an English country garden .
Log pile untouched until the coming winter. Seasoning well .
So good to be alive.

But.
Football . Sunday
We play this day against Talbot F C of Nantwich . Referee Darren Barnes .
All on the village playing field .
Team more fragmented as holidays and weddings take precedence.
Pitch is in good order after the Party on the Park event . Firm to the foot . And after the rains of Saturday night .
Inspect the ground and deem it ok to play on . Tell Rhys of Talbot that all is go.
Team players arrive as it begins to rain . Opponents too.
We have 14 players as our squad . Good news on what looks to become a wet day .
Referee decides not to come, so Kev Mort has to deputise . Luckily has a whistle in his car.
Emma Graham , our professional physio on duty . And John Dyer our new trainer manager.
Our management team so strong . With Rachel Anderson as our club secretary , ready for anything!!
Kick off
1056
Rain , rain and yet more rain begins .
Playing in near tropical storm rains. We must be mad.
Running around does give the men some warmth at least . Talbot in green kit – they a league above us , so a sterner test for us .
1100
First corner goes to us . No gain
1105
We fall apart and they score
0-1
Rain so so heavy.
1110
Callum Mese pounces on a feed from Seb Burrows and puts the ball away
1-1
A great shot by us at their goal – goalie saves.
Free kick to us . Kev Rodgers takes and his shot just goes wide .
Rain so heavy, like stair rods as it swamps the play. Lovely cross – met by Dan Rooney whose shot is saved
1116
Andrew Betteley passes a super ball and Callum fires it home.
2-1 . Callum playing well
Rain has eased and little patches of blue in the sky. In the quiet now we can hear the calls of the players. No swearing to note which is good.
1121
Long shot by Talbot and in and off from our goalie, Simon Carvell
2-2
Subs played as Seb Burrows comes off and Rob Martin on .
Quite remarkable how the weather has turned and we are dry and with some warmth. Players so grateful for this as they gradually get dry
1129.
Corner to Talbot . Taken short but ball soars over our crossbar.
1130
Corner to us – no gain.
1135
Pass by Callum to Thomas Capewell who heads home
3-2
Then
1138
Wham . They score
3-3
Half time – first half – one of end to end play – and end to end scoring .
1145
Off we go .
Dry , hwith a light breeze blowing away the rain clouds . British Summer !! Phooey . A thick sweater on and my rain jacket plus my hat.
1155
Free kick to Talbot . And they score
3-4
All our subs played .
1200
Such a soft goal as Talbot move to
3-5
1203.
Andrew sends a sweet ball to Thomas Capewell, our skipper – and he scores
4-5
1205
We win a free kick. A rare thing today.
Brief calm time as all take a breather . Sun so welcome – wasps making a call. To the upset of Rebecca .
1215
Andrew Betteley meets an assist by Kev Rodgers and then nets
5-5
1225
We near the final whistle as Alfie Mathews of Crystal Palace arrives . Most welcome .
A feed by Thomas is met by an on running Will Cork , our top scorer of last season , who scores .
6-5
Final whistle . In all my observations , was assisted by a very confident young Levy, 9 years. Super little boy , never at a loss for words
Our tour success continues . 24 goals for and just 11 against .
Lovely stuff
Next game away at Faddiley .
Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C