Audlem Football Club Pre-Season Round Up

The 2022/23 season

In 2022/23, Audlem FC played their first season in the Crewe Regional Sunday League Premier Division since reforming in 2010. Sadly after a challenging campaign, the team finished 11th and were relegated back to Division One for this coming season.

The new season

A few changes have been made for the start of the new campaign. Ralph Warburton has been appointed as President to mark the extraordinary support and hard work he has given the club since launch. Ross Henderson has retired from playing to take over as manager, ably assisted by Kev Rodgers and Sam Mason. Rachel Anderson stays on as secretary. The majority of the playing squad has stayed together, with a few additions to bolster the squad towards a successful campaign.

Pre-season started in early July, with all matched being played at Wrenbury to allow the pitch at Audlem to recover.

On 16th July, the team went down disappointingly 5-0 to Saturday side, Crewe United. A poor display meant the lads didn't deserve anything from the game.

On 23rd July, after being 3-1 and 4-3 down, the team put in a brilliant second half show to dominate the play and came back to beat fellow Division One side Ruskin Park Rhinos 5-4. Goals came from Nick Gregory (2), Iain Chaulker and Ben Walker (2) including a brilliant last minute free kick.

This form carried on into 26th July with an excellent 6-1 win over White Horse of Nantwich. Goals from Ben Walker (3), Will Cork, Shea Bebbington and Nick Gregory against his old club.

Audlem v Betley -- 30th July 2023

So our attention turned to today's game, the toughest opposition we have faced so far in Betley FC who finished second in the Premier Division last season. A good turnout of 15 players, all looking to get into the starting eleven for the first league game.

Audlem started slowly, and were 0-1 down inside five minutes. Audlem played themselves back into the game without really creating chances, and had Connor Baxter to thank for 3 brilliant saves and Iain Chaulker for a fantastic last ditch block to keep them in it. Betley finally added a second after Audlem switched off from a set piece, but Audlem were back in it just before half time from a Kev Rodgers free-kick which went straight through the Betley wall. 1-2.

With three subs made at half time, Audlem started the second half much brighter and were level within five minutes -- Adam Caunt playing a brilliant through ball to Ben Walker to finish into the bottom corner. Audlem continued to create with Ben Walker, Adam Caunt and Nick Gregory going close as they dominated into the second half.

Unfortunately, a simple free kick was Audlem's undoing again, as the defence switched off, allowing Betley to take the lead. 2-3. Pushing forward for an equaliser left gaps at the back, and Betley added a forth in injury time to wrap the game up. Audlem 2-4 Betley

Lots of positives to take from a 2-4 defeat against good opposition.

Pre-season continues over the next few weeks with three more fixtures;
6th August -- Audlem v Mary Dendy (at Wrenbury)
13th August -- Willaston White Star v Audlem
20th August -- Audlem v Betley (at Wrenbury)

The league season will start in early September, and we look forward to coming back to play in the village then. Details of our fixtures will be available on Audlem Online when we know them, and we hope we can count on your support throughout the season.

Ross Henderson
Manager