Audlem FC v St Mary's FC

Wake early under the impression that the first F1 race of the season was to begin at 0600.
All ready and to the TV. But no! Only on Radio 5, so a tad let down, I listen to the race whilst working on my PC – The Music Festival planning for next May.

Then a bonus as I see Match of the Day on BBC1 and see Chelsea go down to a very determined Aston Villa. Good news for me as a life long supporter of Liverpool.

Then, with time still on my hands, I get all my ironing done and away.

Out to the village with our strip to meet up with Geoff Stretch, our senior manager. Sadly we have just 11 players! We sign up a new one in the person of Simon Bebbington, brother of James – which gives us the bonus of a sub.

All so very disheartening to us the management team – and to the players who do turn up.
To Haslington. To play our fixture versus St Mary's F C.
A team below us in the league, but riding high after beating the mighty Sandbach last week. Akin to Norwich beating Liverpool!

Pitch adjacent to the Cricket Club with a very defined slope. A bright sunny but cold day as a keen wind blowing all the time. Referee is Darren Barnes, a very level headed official who aims to let the game flow.

Kick off on time. Playing in our green strip as opponents in red. Connor Baxter in goal for us in his blue strip. Fast and furious start to the game and in the first 20 minutes the play is 60/40 in our favour.

Background to the game is a loud continuous roar of traffic on the M6 just beyond the outer edge of the pitch. No church bells here.

Very smart defensive header by Dave Bebbington in defence, stops a sure fire attack on our goal. (By the by, our defensive four have a total age of 121 years!)

Good shot from Kev Rodgers is saved well. We are shaping up well and pressing quite hard in attack. Great through ball by Skipper Kev Mort – met by Joe Benson – but keeper saves.
11.15 and still we play well with a good positional sense.

First corner and it goes to us – taken by Kev Rodgers but cross is saved. Attacks by St Mary's foiled time and time again by Connor, who is brilliant in goal. Pulling off a good three or four saves in a very short time. Half time and score is 0-0.

Second half

Out we troop, in good heart after a fine first half. Within 5 minutes, Alan Brindley is off as his injuries play up. On comes new signing, Simon Bebbington.

Then the first 15 minutes belong to St Mary's as they attack in numbers. We respond with a great ball by Joe Benson – to Peter Jones who passes to Jim Davies who heads it over the bar.

Then a super ball from Kev Walters to Jim D – cross is met by Kev R – and he scores! 0-1.
We lead by the one gaol.

A cheeky chance taken by James Bebbington loops high and is only just saved. Kev Walters having a fine day in defence- both with his feet and with his shaven head. Jim Davies goes off on a good run but fires wide.

As St Mary's attack, Dave Bebbington repulses them with a good backward header. defence is strong at this time. Connor still pulling of good saves.

Pressure on us now is very intense as our opponents seek a goal. Then a corner driven in – hits the crossbar – rebounds onto the head of Kev Walters – and into our goal! 1-1.

Within minutes another corner and yet again, a goal to them. So many times in the last minutes have we conceded corners only for them to score against us. 2-1 and a sad end to what had been ours for the taking.

Man of the Match is Connor – for without his bravery, we would have been down by 4 more. A good word again for Kev Walters in defence.

So ended my football afternoon. Sad – but brightened up so much when I see Liverpool thrash Manchester United on their own patch whilst enjoying the best chips in Cheshire at the home of our major sponsor, The Lord Combermere.

Next week we play the very capable team , Sandbach F C

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