Audlem FC Match report

AUDLEM F C Match Report 18th Dec

As is my custom, I am awake early. To the silence of the early morning- broken in a haunting fashion by the owls here in my garden and surrounding trees. A quite warming sound as each owl calls to the other. I reckon there must be at least three – judging from which quarter the call emanates.

I have been here for 30 years and still marvel at wild life hereabouts. The serenity of the countryside now more peaceful as the silage tractors out of use. The stars visible due to little or no light pollution. Plus, well the very good spirit of Audlem and here. Buerton is just houses now so all life centres around Audlem and I am very happy to be a part of that community spirit that we are so lucky to have.
Enough of my meanderings.

Football .

And all that promise awaiting to burst forth from my team!! Seriously, we face Market Tavern team today. The last game of the year.
A team who in truth are the whipping boys of the league, and if we cannot beat this team, then we are not fit to even beat eggs.
Referee is Kevin Kelly. Cannot comment on his way of officiating as I do not recall his being here before. Pitch very poorly marked out. I think CE has forgotten we have a game .

Dry and sharp is the weather. Changing facilities still ad hoc and our visitors must use the "splendour" of the Public Hall garage again. The prospect of the 5-star luxury of next season when the new Annexe is due to open is a great spur to do well.
Team for us. Much reduced by the calls of Christmas and family matters. So we start with 13 players. Thankfully Kev Mort turns out – even after a works do in Chester of free beer all night!
Referee changed to Jem Cornes. Fee paid to him.
Market Tavern have 4 subs to our 2

1100
Kick off as the St James bells fall silent – note that bell ringing in churches began as far back as 400 AD .
Lively start. As we so do, David Farrall of our League Executive committee pays us a visit. Very welcome as he is a very well respected committee member.

1120
1-0 as Beco (Andrew Betteley) scores.
Language quite restrained as Ref tough on that element. Particularly as we are a village community field, not just a pitch . Lively play. Joe Benson good in defence. Kev Rodgers playing a good skippers role. Ball more on the ground and less of the air shots. MT have a rare shot but go wide . Game in truth 50/50 as MT much better than earlier in the season Nice dipping drive by Tom Bebbington goes just wide . Clouds breaking up so sun more in our eyes.

HALF TIME

MT have yet another free kick on the edge of our box but fire wide . And yet another saved by the wall this time. Brad Jones gets a very hard kick on his ankle and goes down., He must be hurt as he does not go down easily. They score but ruled offside . James Bebbington misses a wide open chance and falls flat on the ground. Embarrassed by that .
1212.
Yet another free kick on the edge of our box and they score
1-1
12.20
Brad Jones races up the field and score a truly beautiful solo goal.
2-1
Referee books for the first time. An MT player
Great corner kick by Kev Rodgers finds the head of Beco who nods it into the goal
3-1

All over. Good humour as we finish the year with a victory.

Next game is 8th of January. A happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all report readers.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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