Audlem FC: so improved

Yesterday Audlem FC faced a superior team, Cricketers Arms of Alsager. The previous game we had with them resulted in an 11 – nil drubbing of us in one of our very first games as a team.

So yesterday, in a harsh biting wind, coming over the cemetery, were we to meet yet another burial?

Geoff Stretch – our manager had a good turn-out from which to pick the team. The major worry had been would skipper Kev Mort be able to play.

In the event he turned out even though he had a journey to make and agreed to be OK to play the first half. He goes for his operation tomorrow on his knee.

The team.

Ed Holmes in goal; Peter Jones; Jeff Roots; Rob Lowe; Dan Morris; Gaz Jones; Kev Rogers; Kev Mort; James Bebbington; Jack McClintoch; James "Kingpin" Adams .

Kick off is late as a fine cold driving rain hits the area and the referee is late again having taken the wrong turning. Pitch has a good surface in spite of the weather, not too heavy nor any muddy patches.

Our opponents are a big team physically with a towering defence. Ten minutes in and Ed is tested – a close shave as Alsager pile on the pressure. Good sliding tackle by Skipper Mort with more pressure on our goal.

A foul on Jack and then a good shot from the free kick by Kev Rogers. A foul on Kev Mort and the resultant free kick shot by Jeff Roots just tipped over by their goalie. 11.35 and a long mazy run by Kev Mort as he drives home a great shot. 1-0!

So the game goes on – pressure, hard tackling but half time and we are in front! At times we even forget the cold

Half Time

Kev Mort off as he leaves on his journey and Ian Chalker is on. Heads up as we take them on, but within 3 minutes they score . 1-1. Then a few minutes later and a melee in our goalmouth and they are 2-1 ahead.

But heads do not go down. Much fierce play. Much hard tackling. Two yellow cards for the visitors with the referee coming down hard as Alsager cannot believe just how good we have become.

A great strike by Kev Rogers misses – just . Massive pressure on us but we survive . Geoff plays his subs as James Langley and Kev Walters come on for Dan Morris and James Adams.

Game over – with us holding the visitors to 2-1. A very good effort by us against a very strong foe. Our next game is away to Bank Corn

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