Audlem FC Report

Clocks fell back in the dark hours of Sunday morning . I wonder if one day we will stop this outdated procedure .
To my new morning. Early as I get stuff done on my IPad for the cemetery .
A light breakfast of fresh fruits as I get the pills down.

The joy of seeing match of the day on BBC 1 . Many matches – 10 in all over the weekend – as the programme of soccer gets faster as the FA seek to clear the dates prior to Qatar and all of that .But ruined as I watch my team being beaten at Anfield . First defeat for 29 games at home . We are coming apart at the seams. We shall see how Klopp and the board handle this situation. Add to that Brighton beating Chelsea for the first time ever ! Big day of surprises.
Fair do's to Leeds .and well done Brighton . They did the job so well.

Now. Winsford.
A game at last as the weather pattern looks set fair .We played at Knights Grange pitch in Winsford . Versus top team The George and Dragon FC . Tough , tough opponents .
This in the Presidents Cup , round 2
After my long diatribe before the game last Sunday that in the end never was, I shall confine my self to fewer words.
Hopefully our fan in Idaho or was it Iowa is still following us there across the pond. If so a big hello .

Referee today is Ian Hurtle. Good fair referee.
And we need a strong and fair ref for this game as George and Dragon can be a hand full at times.
We end up with just 13 players . No Connor Baxter in goal which is a big loss. Andrew Betteley once more steps into the breech . And is goalie for the day.
Up to the pitch, which is very lush with long grass. And so much bigger than ours at home .
Kick off
1100
Ross Henderson back after his 3 match ban and we play a 5 back line up.
Sun shining but a keen breeze too. We win the toss and opt to play with the sun behind us.
Some of our opponents are paid to play by their very generous chairman so I am told.
1110
G and Dscore
0-1
They then win a free kick. No gain.
Most of the action is in our half as G and D dominate play .
First corner goes to opponents as they press hard on us . I note that their kit is emblazoned with FC Bayern Munich !
James Craig , last seasons top scorer for us ,arrives a little late and we have to get the changing rooms unlocked for him to change.
Big black cloud menacing the sky from the west . May have to run for cover.
1126
They score again
0-2
1130
And again
0-3
Kev Rodgers wins a yellow card for mouthing off.
Threat of rain arrives and I dash for cover.
Whilst I am away we score as Ben Walker feeds Shea Bebbibgton who scores.
1-3
Half time whistle
So far no real aggro and no foul language. Referee handling it well.
Our manager , Kev Rodgers , went down on one knee and asked Rachel our beautiful secretary and treasure to marry him last week. So lovely for them both .
Team gives then a card with our congratulations.
But. The game.
Second half.
1200
They score from a penalty.
1-4
Sam Mason comes off and Stefan Kowtofksi comes on. Fresh legs .
1206
Corner to G and D.
Than
1210
They score again
1-5
1215
Dark clouds overhead and dark for us to as they get a gift as we score an own goal.
1-6
1227
Another
1-7
We win a free kick. No gain.
1236
Corner to George and Dragon . Met by a superb header as the player leaps a good metre to meet it and head home. One of the best Sunday league goals I have witnessed.
Game over at 1-8.
A real thumping by a very strong effective team. Well done to George and `dragon .
So we are out of the Presidents cup.

Drive back to Nantwich and our sponsors there – The Leopard
Chips and sausage buns.
Next fixture . At home . VersusCrewe Arrows

Ralph Warburton
AFC