Audlem FC no longer pointless

September 22nd .

Off we troop to meet up at the Peacock Pub and then – in as much force as we can muster – only 14 players turn out. – we travel to the Brittles Pavilion and to face Wistaston FC.

Pitch was in the past a cricket field so well flat, hard and in very good condition. Surrounded by mature trees which will play their part with lost balls during the game.
Referee Paul Forrester briefs all on language and behaviour.

Wistaston, in their present form, have been going for over 10 years. Brilliant sunshine. Temperature in the low 20's. No breeze at all. Bird song and, in the distance, the chiming of the church bells. Fluffy clouds in such a contrast to the cold and leaden skies of last week. So, manager Geoff Stretch picks an attacking team, albeit his hands are tied somewhat due to the lack of numbers .

First Half – Kick off early at 10.50

Our opponents are sporting The Great Ormond Street Hospital on their shirts as their sponsor donates funds to this noble cause. Take my sweater off as the sun beats down.

Good attacking as we play well. 50/50 in play, free kicks and corners as both sides press. 20 minutes in and a free kick to us. Gaz Jones steps up to take it. Fires a great kick from all of 60 yards and – into their goal. Gaz claims he saw the goalie off his line , and who am I to dispute this. Wonderful goal. 1-0 up.

Connor Baxter playing very well in goal. Great cross by Joe Overland – cleared. Referee having words with Kev Rogers and their heavily challenging number 4 . A warning. 26 minutes in. Penalty as Kev Mort – so full of running- is floored in the box. Gaz Jones steps up and scores. 2-0.

Response is a blistering shot by them as they race up field – well saved by Connor. Then 34 minutes in and they get a penalty. They score. 2-1.

Fracas of Kev Rogers and that number 4 – Ref. books Kev! Then, woe, 44th minute and they score!! We go in at half time at 2-2.

Second Half

As things get under way, I note with much interest the number of tiny money spiders in the air. Never seen so many. Opponents attacking, long cross and an instinctive save by Connor who is having a very good game.

Seven minutes into the second half and one of their players – he had had a nosebleed earlier – goes down. Totally out and very still. Ambulance called and two of them duly arrive. Off he goes to be treated at A&E.

We restart at 12.25 after 30 minutes stoppage. A little bit of a carnival atmosphere over the stoppage is fast gone as both sides seek to capitalise on a very open game. Another long fine shot by Joe Overland is just wide. They then get a free kick in our half but hit the crossbar. Thankfully!

Joe Benson off and Nick Buckley on for the last ten minutes or so. Good game by Kev Rogers – back to his fierce play. Great game by Joe Overland who enjoyed his part in the match. And very good defence work by Kev Walters. Final whistle .

We played much better today and there is promise in us for wins! Man of the Match . Gaz Jones who enjoyed that magic first goal. A draw. Our first point.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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