First round in the FA Vase Cup

Wake from a troubled night of pain as a darned tooth gives me lots of gyp. Pills taken to deaden the hurt.

As far as I am aware there is no medication for the pain of losing a match, but perhaps I will have no need of such today.

Out and to the village playing field. The worst ever pitch in all of Cheshire. It is so, so sad that we have to present such a poor face to those who turn up here to play and to watch the game. Not only do we have a lousy surface and rusting goal posts, but we have no showers. One day perhaps – if the very considerable efforts of the APHax Team bear fruit.

All set up for the games as players trickle in to the car park – which at 10.30am is quite sparsely occupied.

A gorgeous vault of a sky with a blue close to that of the Mediterranean. Fluffy white clouds with a chill breeze coming in over the canal. The work of our campanologists pealing away in the centre. Very peaceful.

Not a tweet of a bird. Indeed I notice the swallows gathering in a frenzy of feeding as they prepare for their 2,000 mile plus flight to Africa. Such magic in that. And has been since time immemorial. And the glory of a dragon fly hovering nearby – unchanged since the beginning of life.

Maple trees on the edge of the pitch heavy with the winged seed pods. Leaves not falling heavily yet.

The team

Just 12 players turn out. Just the 12. So selection is self fulfilling. No choice for Geoff and James. Opponents are Wistaston Athletic. This game the first round in the FA Vase Cup competition.

Referee Mike Hargrove (retired League secretary) officiates. First time here in Audlem, with a reputation for fair play and vociferous control of a game. Off we go at spot on 11.00.

Wistaston a strong well trained team. Beat us 7-0 last time we met in Audlem. Skipper today is Iain Chalker in defence line up. New match balls purchased at £110!

11.15 – and blow me down. They score. Fired from just over the centre line. A fine goal for them.
0-1
11.20 Free Kick. And Wham – another goal. A soft one too.
0-2.
11.25 and the sun very warm on our faces as we attack the tennis court end.
Half time and we troop off

Second Half

12.00 Such an easy goal. So simple.
0-3! Another so very soft goal, a 30 yarder.

Is the pain of the game going to be worse that the pain in my teeth? Jim Davies off and we play our only sub, Darren Conliffe, a new signing.

Good save by Jimmy Murphy in goal but that is followed up by a goal from a corner. Stupid goal to concede.
0-4

12.23. A fine run up field and a dipping shot and Sam O'Hara scores! A true class goal.
1-4 now.
Then they put another away.
1-5.

Jimmy injured by kick to the head. Off he goes – very woozy. Kev Mort in goal as we play on with 10 men.
Free kick to us and Pete Jones so very nearly pulls off a goal.
We do not stop attacking – just the 10 of us and Dave Bebbington scores with a fierce header.
2-5

But we are out of time. Ref blows for full time.

In all honesty, the score does not truly reflect the effort we put in. This opinion echoed by our supporters and by the opposition.
Man of the Match. Very close between Sam O'Hara and Andy Betteley and Dave Bebbington. It goes to Dave for his fine defence work and that superb goal.

In the end my head pain far worse than the game pain. Some comfort. Me – I haste me away to my dentist on the morrow.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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