Audlem FC Match Report

So -- here is to the next to last game of the season

I am up and about early of course, as it is my normal day and I espy one of the most beautiful shrubs in my garden in it's full majesty. It is the rambling sort of shrubs called Exochora and it's commonly known as The Bride. A magnificent profusion of pure white blossom was smothering the whole bush. Such a magnificent display gives me hope as to the sort of day we are going to have for our football match. Tenuous I agree, but a nice thought.

Off I drive to the village and meet with Geoff Stretch as we load my car with the medical bag , the water bottles , the practice footballs and the newly laundered kit of course. We drive to Sandbach where Market Tavern play their home games. Arrive at about 10 AM and surprisingly find some of our players already in the dressing room. Keen -- which is nice to see.

We are well served today in that we have 14 players from which to choose our team and that is quite luxurious.
The place is alive with many youngsters coming off their pitches having played their games and many others arriving to begin, just as we are.

Our opponents today are Market Tavern. A team that has struggled to win games -- like ourselves -- but not as successfully. All our players changed and out to the pitch and the warm up before kickoff.

The Game

Kickoff is sharp and slightly early at 10:56 .
Area is quite cold with the morning chill but the sun is threatening to come out and give some warmth.
We score. At 11:14.
1-0 to us
Scorer is Trevor McDowell.
Good small group of supporters on the sidelines cheering us on . Pitch has a slope down to the south which could be a factor in the game.
Possession for us at 65% as we press hard down on their goal mouth .

I feel that we have too many high balls which does not give much control . Far better to have it on the ground and direct the shot.
Half time arrives and we are still just ahead
The Sandbach is a fine and complex site , with many pictches (around about eight I think ) and there's still loads of young boys and girls playing. Good facilities with showers and snack bar. Our own Annexe grows a pace and hopefully by next October we too will be enjoying the luxury of hot showers -- not just for us as a football team -- but for the whole village.

12 noon arrives and the referee awards a penalty against us. Up steps their skipper, but Connor Baxter pulls off very fine save -- down to his right. Great action.
Second half and Market Tavern have far more possession than they had in the first half.

1209 and Kev Mort fires in in a great shot and we are two nil to the good
2-0 to us!!
Kev is full of running even though he is our oldest player. I must mention also that Joe Benson and Brad Jones are both enjoying a great game.
Super ball played upfield , is met by Andrew (Beko) Betteley, who crosses to a racing forward Kev Mort , who puts it away for his second goal .
3 -- 0 to us!
A very fine match for us and a good feeling as we did indeed blossom a little today -- as did my fine garden shrub .

Our next game is away to Sandbach on 30th April -- our very last game of the season. Who knows what 2017/2018 will bring

Ralph Warburton
Audlem football club

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