Match Report

MATCH REPORT.

A dark , dark morning as I am up and about very early. And I realise, that fast we race to the shortest day of the year. The Winter Solstice .

In a way , a grand way to start the festive week. As – from the 22nd , the days begin again to grow longer !

Was reading recently about yet another bad thing to hit the world . On top of the devastating fungus killing so many millions of Ash trees with its airborne spores . I refer to the fate of the Cavendish banana . This is the name of the variety of the fruit that we all buy . Virtually the only variety in the world.

Originally grown by Joseph Paxton, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire in Chatsworth House in the 1830's. And 99% of all bananas are the Cavendish variety. Some 100 billion per year. But now danger as this fungus threatens to wipe the plants out . Yet another virus that is caused by intensive farming- we are going to face more and more such world diseases as the drive to grow more. Faster, cheaper and and and so uniform, with what we breed and let the devil take the hindmost, seems to be to mantra of today's intensive farming etc. So long as profit is the main driver of man.

To the day ahead now. Showered and warm clothing. I wonder to my self "why do we say – just jumping into the shower?"

Match of the day on BBC seen .and those glorious 7 goals by my team, Liverpool

But -Our game .As I drive to the village, I espy the end of a rainbow with is superb colours seemingly ending on the village pitch. A sign of good things to come I wonder?We play at home , with the unique luxury of heated changing rooms in our fabulous Annexe as opposed to rough places with none such.

Versus Sandbach Town FC . Referee Jem Cornes is the official and is very welcome as a top class referee. .

Kev Mort , our manager has again a headache as we have an excellent turn out of 16 players . A good problem to have but of course some will be on the subs bench. I recall a few years ago when we at one time had but 11 turning out !

Visitors play in red and black so I have to dash home to bring our blue kit.

1102And off we go . Frantic start under lowering skies. Bunch of ladies in the car park, setting off for a cycle ride to Whitchurch and backA fierce back pass by Ross Henderson – more like a shot and thankfully Connor Baxter saves! Phew.

1104James Bebbington arrives from Preston . Tell him no need to change as we have enough strength .

1115First corner goes to Sandbach. No gain. Players very loud with their calls for the ball.

1117 Sweet ball from Kev Rodgers to Will Cork and Will scores !1-0

1120Yet another fine pass by Kev , met by a rising Thomas Capewell
And he scores2-0Free kick to Sandbach. 10yards out of our area. No gain.Tempers rising ! As Sandbach get rattled.1125Fine drive by Paul Boucher – saved.Pitch really cutting up and very slippery . Pass by Ben Walker to the feet of Paul B. Who shoots, but goes wide .1130Lovely feed to Paul by Andrew Betteley and Paul nets.4-1That rainbow really working for us .Free kick to us . In shooting distance. Taken by Kev Rodgers but his shot saved by their keeper.1139Shot at our goal , but Connor saves ,Yet another fierce shot , saved by Connor. Sandbach really piling on the pressure

1144Free kick to us . Midfield. Taken by Kev R – but his shot negated by pushing in their box .Sandbach come forward fiercely . Their shot hits the woodwork. Phew again .Half Time whistle .Kev plays his subs to give others a chance to have a game . Pete Jones on . Dan Rooney off. Elliot Steventon on , Ben Walker off. Callum Mese onRain sheeting down under dark clouds. Cold and oh so damp. Players getting muckier and muckier.Rain much heavier nowCorner to us , but no gain. Seb Burrows off and Tom Smart on .

1204 horrid scramble in our goal mouth and they score !4-2Footing difficult in the mud.Blow me down, Sandbach score again as they now are bossing the play.4-3Feels like wheels have come off the wagon – so rightly said by Alys .

1210Cross by Sandbach , met by a good shot that thankfully hits the woodwork .

1215Good shot by Callum Mese . Goes wide.Elliott Stevenson's shot is saved.Rain still beats down . Pitch getting stickier and stickier . Kit looks so mucky , so a challenge for my wash machine .Tiredness and cold slowing the players down. Sandbach gets their dander up as they become more and more frustrated. Will Cork off and Kev Mort comes on .

1226
Elliot is given a yellow card . Will cost him a fine of £12.

1233And the rains ease a little as clouds lift . A tiny patch of blue sky visible .Full time

Game over . Mucky players trudge off . No showers allowed in these dark days of Covid. Having reported our game and facts to the league , we troop off to the Bridge for chip butties etc. Adrianne Roscoe here to help in the clean up. She is in charge of the Annexe.

This was the last game of this Covid year. Result could mean we move to the highest we have ever been in the Division . Nice way to end the year.

Next game is a Cup match versus a very strong and tough team, Winsford FC . Need two linesmen as well as a referee . Barriers , etc .

With a wish that you make the best and most of your Christmas in this virus ruined year.Ralph WarburtonAudlem F C