Audlem FC match report

A tad late but Santa Sleigh duties came first:

Match 4th December Versus Sandbach Town F C.

The colder days are here now. So much colder than the mild days of last year -- but dry! And lo and behold!. The pied wagtails are back on my lawn. Resplendent in their Black, grey and white plumage. Bobbing about like ballet dancers in their tutus. A pair with the female just that tad lighter in colour. They seem to appear here around now. And enjoy the seeds I put out here. My trusty cock pheasant back too. Just the one and judging from the state of his feathers, he has again escaped the twelve bores

.Enough of my wanderings and my musings.The game.

Load up at Geoff Stretch 's place, He has had a busy night after the Santa Run with a party at the Hall to clear away. He and Olive do so run the hall so very well. And long may they do so.We load up and drive to Sandbach. Very frosty.
As we arrive we are told the pitch is frozen and referee may call it off on safety grounds. Whatever we get the kit ready in the changing rooms. Great facility here with lots of children's games under way on softer ground.

A hot Bovril cheers me up a little 13 players have said they would turn out. At 1030 we had just 2!!1 At 1045 -- just 4 Really rotten state of affairs and I am praying that the Referee will call it off. But no such luck. Then another 5 turn up. So now 9. At 1055 one more and at 1100 as we kick off the eleventh arrives!!!! So playing with just 11 men. No subs.

Kev Rodgers decides we should play Adan Cooper- our oldest player by far- in goal with Conner Baxter our regular keeper outfield. A very bad state of affairs. I write many notes in the time of the match. Many thoughts. But suffice to say -- just give you a summary of the game in sound bites.

1101
They score 0-1 So easy a goal and what a start to the match. A soft easy lob over the keeper.

1125
They score. Past a frozen still keeper 0-2

1128
We score! Magic does happen. Brad Jones with a very good run -- fed by young Jake Stannard. Two 17 year olds combining so well 1-2

1130
They score. So, so easy a goal as defence torn apart1-31135 Brad Jones stamped on and suffers hurt ankle. -They score again 1-4. Words fail me

HALF TIME
Iain Chalker off with torn hamstring. Walks painfully back to the changing room. James Bebbington arrives at half time on his way back from Leeds after seeing his team, Villa lose. Gets Iain's shirt on and comes on to get us back to 11.

1158
Cross by young Billy Wale and James Bebbington hustles it in off their goalie!!2-4 Now thinks I- we have a chance! Such a cold wind cutting across the pitch We are the only seniors playing here -- with the luxury of 6 pitches, it seems such an underuse.

1202
They score again2-5

1205
Guess what. They score. So, so easy for them 2-6.

1215
The slaughter continues. Defence filleted.They score 2-7

1225
Another easy goal 2-8.

1230
Is it not enough that they have 8 -- no- they score again2-9
Thankfully the referee bows up two minutes early and saves us from being beaten in double figures. What a loss. What a poor show. And -- well words fail me.
Next game -- versus Barrel & Tap at home. I wonder who will turn out?

Ralph Warburton AFC

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