Testing weekend for Saints

Audlem Saints had a testing weekend with two tough games. On Friday night they faced Red Dot FC in a play off game held over since before Christmas. The two sides had finished joint 2nd in the pre Xmas league and this game was to decide 2nd/3rd place.

As you would expect, a game contested by two teams that finished the league deadlocked was a very even match. Red Dot chose to soak up pressure and hit Audlem on the break. The plan worked well as they went 1-0 up with Audlem hitting the woodwork twice. Audlem did eventually equalise only to be hit on the break again to go a goal behind.

To their credit, the boys kept going and secured another equaliser before pressing on and taking a 3-2 lead. Red Dot though came back to equalise late on. Extra time was played and with almost no time left on the clock, Audlem were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box in a central position. Time stood still as the free kick was chipped over the wall and was heading to the top corner but the Red Dot keeper somehow clawed it out to maintain the 3-3 scoreline....meaning that the dreaded penalty shoot out was required.

Audlem executed the perfect shoot out, scoring their first 3 penalties whilst the Audlem keeper saved each of the Red Dot penalties. A great game and a good result but never nice to see 10 year olds involved in a penalty shootout.

On Sunday, the Saints returned to the regular league season with a game against Boro Boys. Boro Boys have proved a bit of a bogey team over the last couple of years, often making it tough for Audlem. So it proved again as they took the lead and had a great opportunity to double the score with a penalty. The spot kick was hit wide though and Audlem then got their passing game going. They equalised with a penalty of their own and then won the game in the final few mintes with a well taken goal.

Match reports on a very successful weekend all round by David Parry.

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