Audlem FC Match Report – Cup Thriller

Editor has it on good authority that Audlem FC actually scored 6 of the 7 goals!!

Up in the dark of the morning. Relatively calm ,contradicting the forecast of strong winds. My PC inbox dealt with and match of the day viewed.

The glory of the trees of Cheshire seem even more so this year. In height and in full leaf splendour . We will sadly see the passing of yet another year, as the leaves fall and dance in the winds of the coming dark months. And where have all the birds of gone ? Their song muted . A few visit me still for nuts. And now we hear the honking of the geese as they pass overhead in perfect formation, flying from feeding station to feeding station .

This day we play the cup game that was abandoned when a J S Brierley player was severely injured with his knee turning 90 degrees! Brad Jones , for it was he who suffered so , here and looking ok . He is a past player of ours.

Now we replay the tie and our opponents are naturally J S Brierley .

Kev Mort is away sunning himself in the sun of Turkey , so our Training Supremo John Bryan takes on the role.

Very big turnout of players so a good headache to have.

Referee is Keith Curzon .

Pitch looking tired a tad . Showers now all in operation, which is good as we look forward to the wet and muddy games to come.

Emma Graham our physio and medic not on duty today

We are in our red/black strip .

J S Brierley in their yellow and blue. I sit here on the bench and under cover. With Rachel and Yasmin . Undercover – A thing we do not enjoy at any other pitch .

We kick off early at 1055

Usual fast move as all get going .

First 6 minutes and we are camped in their half . David Farral, league executive joins us.

Alex James pulls out , as he is suffering a heavy migraine .

1102

James Craig comes close to scoring.

Free kick to us . No gain.

1107

First corner to us . No gain.

1112

Strong attack on our goal but Connor Baxter makes a double brave score at the feet of attackers.

JSB are a meaty team and do use their weight to their advantage . We are far slimmer .

Another very brave save by Connor. Stops a sure goal .

1122

Sweet pass by Will Cork – met by Nick Gregory who nets the ball.

1-0

Fast run up field by Ben Walker and Ben feeds to Nick , but his shot a bit too wide .

1130

Corner to us and yet a other corner as we press hard. Then.

A long throw in by JSB, into the defending men, and Tom Capewell heads the ball . Into our own net

1-1

A race up field and a pass by James Craig Is met by Nick again and he slots it home as goalie fumbles.

2-1

Water break as their goalie gets attention .

1135

Great run by Will Cork , shoots but tipped over the bar .

1138

Connor pulls off a superb finger tip save as JSB get close to scoring .

Half time called

Restart

JSB refreshed and get a free kick just outside our area . But no gain . Referee lectures JSB as they are getting so frustrated

Then a fine strike by Nick is saved.

Dan Rooney taken down and we are awarded a free kick. No gain.

1155

Corner after corner . But no goals .

Seb Burrows comes off and Toni Sindstadt on.

1158

Great fast cross by Toni is met by a diving Ben Walker ,who heads home

3-1

Melee in our goal mouth and ball comes off Connor for an own goal

3-2

Andrew Betteley on , one of best goal scorers – as Ben Walker goes off.

1216

Diving header by JSB , beats Connor

3-3 .

1226

Lovely ball by that mid field wizard, James Craig who sends a pass to Nick, who nets for his hat trick

4-3

End of game. So we are through to the next round of the Cup .

Man of the match . Connor Baxter, our very good goalkeeper .

Players scatter as some travel off to Old Trafford for the Man Utd versus Liverpool game . Others to the Bridge Inn for chip butties.

Next game is a league match away to Sandbach Town FC .

Ralph Warburton

Audlem F C