Audlem FC take on Leighton

Our match yesterday was versus Leighton F C. First time we meet them and they have a better record than us – but of course it is hard to find another team who has a worse record than ours at the moment.

Carl Betterley is Ref. today – a man who is quite a character with his Victorian Mutton Chops and his Victorian standards when it comes to foul language – a trait that I do applaud.

Weather mixed with blustery wind and spits of rain. Opponents look quite beefy. Mini whirlpools of leaves swirling all about us as the trees lose their summer splendour. No dog poo on the field which is very good to see, but a van was spotted parked on the pitch two days ago. We need help in defence but not solid stuff like vehicles!

Pitch soft and greasy. New management team of Geoff Stretch and Alan Brindley plus James Bebbington all together at their first home match since the changes. A wealth of players as we have fifteen from which to choose. A re- signing of James "Ferret" Brookes along with Tim Davy playing his first serious game for us this season.

Ref. gets us under way spot on time. Brand new match balls – bought at great cost – in bright yellow.

AFC playing very well with lots of good passing band control. Playing more and more like a team. (I pray to myself that such thoughts so early on in the game will not jump up and bite me in the end.)

11.10 and injury to opponent following a clash of heads. Magic water bottle and all is OK.

I ask Neil Goodyear and Pam, his lady , to choose the Man of the March. Neil is part of the ADAS committee and has a good track record of football involvement. And both are welcome regulars to our home games.

We continue to press forward. Good shot by James Bebbington – back after a groin injury. Sam O'Hara is full of running and I am impressed with the play of Tim Davy who I had not seen before.

11.15 shot by LFC hits our post. Kev Rogers fouled badly by their number 4. They shape up a bit, face to face – and I suspect more trouble to come from this clash.

11.30 and out comes the sunshine – good playing conditions in spite of the twisting wind.
Kev Rogers hit in the face by number 4 – but Ref books him (KR) for aggressive play – retaliation for earlier foul?

Free kick for us after another foul on KR. James Bebbington takes it 20 yards out but shot too high pushed on by the winds. Great save at the other end by Connor Baxter, our goalie.
Play back and forth.

JB fouled heavily but once more the magic water bottle cures all. Their number 4 – evil – takes out Tim Davy. And then gets booked. Justice at last.

Half time and 0-0 . Very good play by AFC .

Second half

Second half after the Ref takes a comfort break. Tim Davy and James B shining out as very good players .

Raining hard as we kick off once more. Pitch more and more gluey. In spite of this CB pulls off a great save bravely at the feet of attackers. Then yet another as LFC press hard. CB having a very good game with much bravery.

12.04 and Ferret Brookes is off – not yet match fit – and on comes Rob Lowe to beef up defence. JB off and Joe Overland comes on.

Kev Rogers fires in a great cross but no one to meet it. Dag Sirle booked for a niggardly foul, having been dragged down before that. Then a shot by LFC from 25 yards out. We are down by a goal 0-1!

12.15. DS shoots but it scrapes over the bar. 12.18 and a goal by LFC that was yards offside. But Ref rules against us. 0-2.

Not a fair position for us after the way we have played – with such determination and good thinking football. Using their upper brains rather than those down below. Kev Walters off and on comes James Langley for his first play this season.

12.30. Free kick to them, but saved by the defensive wall. Ball upfield as we play even harder and force a corner. Great ball sent over by Kev Rogers – met by skipper Kev Mort and we score. Well dome KM. 1-2.

James Langley booked for kicking out at a player – but not a red.

Game over as Ref blows up.

Connor Baxter chosen as Man of the Match for his very brave goalkeeping – but special praise by our judge to Tim Davy and James Bebbington. My own praise to Kev Mort for that goal!

Ralph Warburton

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