Audlem FC Report

Bright new day as we prepare to play only our 2nd game of the year, Amazing how many birds are singing in the garden as I scatter seed for them. So early with their singing.

Drive to the COOP for one of their delicious almond croissants. Village very quiet as we Geoff Stretch and I load my car with kit, balls, water, medical bag. Players who are available number 16! Such riches from which to choose! Nice that our management team have that quandary.

Drive off to Wistaston and as we pass through Hankelow , I note the wealth of daffodils so far advanced in growth on the slope down past the golf club. So much more like March than January.

Arrive at the Brittles Ground to get squad kitted up. Referee is Chris King- brand new to us,

We kick off at 1055. In bright sun and no breeze to speak of.

Play even for a while. Last time we met our opponents Wistaston F C, we drew 2-2, so perhaps we can do a Bradford on them.Skipper today is Andrew Betterley.First shots at goal are by us. Kev Rodgers followed by Graham Brown. Is this to be our day I muse.

Then a free kick to WFC. A set piece and my fears are realised as they score. So many times we fail in a set piece.

1105. 0-1 Free kick-- this time to us but no gain. The sun leaves us as the clouds roll over and a light chill in the air as a breeze gets up.

WFC very vociferous as they pound at us. A breakaway by Andrew Betterley and he races up field and scores!!

1125 and 1-1. Great play Then. Blow me down. Push by WFC and Iain Chaulker scores a fierce header – for them!

1-2 They are all over us wave after wave of attacks on our goal. But Jimmy Murphy holds firm. Great run by Graham Brown – passes to Andrew B but his shot is saved low down by their goalie.

HALF TIME and at just 1-2 we feel confident.

SECOND HALF. Ref tells Graham B off – use of his mouth too much – booked Joe Benson off – really out of sorts and replaced by Gary Keenan. Then a 30 yard shot right through our defence and they score into an empty goal. – 1-3

6 minutes later – another goal to them 1-4

. Big mistake by our defenders.Ref books WFC player – again mouthing off. So stupid. Another booked for very fierce foul on Gary Jones.

1215 and yet another goal given away by us 1-5 – Kyle Doughty comes off and Justin Kane on.

Not much good as WFC score yet again 1-6

Shattered. Taken apart. Defence in tatters. More like a colander than anything else.

Then1-7!!!

Ref books Kev Rodgers for a foul tackle.Our faces rubbed into the mud as they score once more.1-8.

So embarrassing. So disheartening. And this after a fair first half. We are not fit. Not disciplined. And not together at all. Next game at home versus Leighton – that team of the harridan of yesteryear.

Ralph WarburtonChairman AFC

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