Saints battle against the odds to win

Illness struck the Audlem Saints Under 8s soccer team on Sunday. No less than four of the squad were unavailable through illness and with another one away, the team only had 5 players to take the field against Boro Boys. Boro Boys are a good side and were beaten only 1-0 last time we played. Facing them with only 5 players (against 6) was always going to be extremely hard work.

As Boro Boys scored early to lead 1-0, the Audlem boys could have crumbled. However what followed was a lesson in teamwork, hard graft and not a little skill. The 5 players ran their socks off and passed the ball so well that at times it seemed like Audlem had the numerical advantage. One super passing move was finished off in style to level the scores and then a second was quickly added to put Audlem 2-1 in front.

Inevitably, as the game wore on and with Audlem working so hard but tiring, Boro Boys came back into the game. Clearcut chances though were few and far between as the Audlem players ran and tackled hard and literally threw themselves in front of everything that Boro created. In the last few minutes, Audlem carved open the Boro defence, again with super, intelligent passing and the game was wrapped up with 2 great goals. The game ended 4-1 to Audlem with the most mature, battling and hard working performance to date.

Stirring stuff!! With just one game to play in this particular competition Audlem remain unbeaten having played 17, won 14 and drawn 3. Next week, its Betley Blue at 11.15.

Match report by David Parry (who has immediately cheered everyone up – see previous story: 'If you're feeling glum today...')

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