Audlem FC take on Sydney

Last night as arrived home after meeting my granddaughter Willow at a very empty Crewe station, I tuned into the news to catch the weather forecast for match day.

Talk of very strong winds from the south – and rain – made me dread the coming game a little. But waking this morning to a clear day and a bit of wind, led me to thinking just how often the Met office seem to get it wrong. And this with all the aides of satellites etc.

In an earlier life I was a meteorologist in the Fleet Air Arm on board HMS Albion, with the task of forecasting the weather so that our aircraft could be stood up or stood down safely.

Armed with very little more than a barometer and my china graph pencils and the teleprinter to receive readings from both land and from weather ships, plus my anemometer as I stood on a heaving deck taking the observations at midnight etc (no railings on an aircraft carrier) we seemed to get our forecasts much more accurate. Suffice to say, we lost no aircraft over the side. Even when we were in the tail of a hurricane off the Canaries. Nuff said.

To the game. Opponents – Sidney Arms. A strong team yet again. Playing in yellow shirts so we in our preferred orange strip.

Team low in numbers yet again, but good turnout by the young Audlem men. Geoff Stretch yet again faced with poor turn out by the players. Just 12 men! And of those, Kev Mort taking pain killers for a back problem. Alan Brindley saying he too has back trouble. Hey Ho.

Referee is Jem Cornes. We welcome him for the first time. Good handshake. One of the tallest we have had officiating.

Kick off on time in good weather. Pitch with a surface like slithery porridge. Bit of sunshine as our Church bells give us a melodious send off. Jim Davies playing up front on his own. Kev Rogers out as he is banned for this game. Assists Geoff in coaching and on the touchline.
Playing with as much strength that we can muster in midfield.

Playing well, Dag Sirle running very effectively and his first shot at goal tipped away. I note SA speak to the Ref. using his first name so they have met many tames before today.
Audlem pressing very hard with lots of heart. Dag Sirle everywhere with intelligent play. Sends in a great cross and Kim Davies meets it with a fine goal. His first for the club.

1-0! Spirits really high as we dominate the game with our pressure. Then 5 minutes later – we concede a very messy goal. 1-1.

Five more minutes and we are dissected. Cut to ribbons. They score – three, yes. yes three goals in the space of 5 minutes. 1-4!
5 more minutes and it is 1-5. Ref. books one of their players just before half time.

We troop off, so sad that a great start has unravelled so easily.

Second Half

Joe Benson has to leave us as he is required to work at the White Lion. On comes our only sub, Nick Buckley – for his longest spell of play this season. Play switches to and fro.
11.55 and another goal for Sydney. 1-6.

Great chance falls at the feet of Dag, but it hits the keepers legs. Opponents very mouthy to each other and the upshot is more bookings for them.

Blow me down but we concede yet again. 1-7.

Rob Lowe goes down with what looks like hamstring trouble. So down to 10 men. Full time as the Ref . books yet another opponent for a silly foul with just seconds to go.

It should be noted that Sydney Arms had their Xmas parity last night. Wonder what they play like when not hung-over. Referee Jem Cornes a very good Ref. who let the play flow well. No theatrics at all.

As Neil Goodyear, our most regular spectator, commented – Sidney Arms, A bridge too far for us.

Man of the Match goes to Dag Sirle – very good intelligent play and commitment. And a special mention for Jim Davies – who never stopped all the game long.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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