Tough morning for Audlem FC

Audlem FC's game yesterday was at Sandbach versus Sandbach Town. It was played at the HQ of Sandbach Football – a very Impressive set up still to reach maturity as grass pitches were very sparse with new growth. And very poor drainage.

Excellent changing rooms and a good buzz as we took to the field. One puzzle was the sign on the officials/referees changing room. It had the wording in Braille – which boded ill for us!

Geoff Stretch, our manager had a good number of players from which to choose the team and send the following on to the start of the game:
In goal Ed Holmes. Defence – Rob Lowe; Dan Morris; Peter Jones; Gaz Jones.
Midfield – Jeff Roots; Kev Rogers; Kev Mort (Capt.); James Bebbington.
Attack- Pete Kulak; James Langley.

Referee R Lindsay blew up and we kicked off at 10.45 as all players ready and champing at the bit. Last time we played our opponents we lost 3-2 to a last minute goal. This time we felt we would be better.

Fast and furious play under a leaden sky with barely a breeze. Pitch very wet and Kev Mort was fast in very muddy condition as he threw himself about, driving all on. Pressure very heavy on us as attack after attack on our keeper who saved many good shots by Sandbach.
40 minutes in and we are very lucky to be 0-0 with Ed Holmes playing very well.

Then three minutes later and we are a goal down to a good strike by their number 10. Two minutes later and we are behind 2-0.

A foul on Pete Kulak at their end and the free kick hits Pete and ball goes to Skipper Mort who taps in for a last minute of the half goal. So we break at 2-1 to them.

Second Half

Lots of backchat to the Ref. and this brings lecture to Kev Rogers. Five minutes later and we are down 3-1 fast followed by yellow cards for Kev Rogers and their number 4 . Both their 4 and 10 players (twins) are very good players but apparently have form regarding discipline.
Pressure very heavy by our opponents – and then a booking for Kev Mort.

Free kick for them and the score is 4-1. Geoff plays subs with Dan and James Langley coming off and Kev Walters and Craig Holding on.

At this stage it is to be noted that their passing was more controlled and effective, with the ball being on the deck most of the time whereas our play was often high in the air and kicking in hope more than direction. Shape all gone and positional play lost.

The next few minutes are awful as we move from 4-1 down to 7-1 down. The final whistle is a blessing.

Our next game is at home on the 13th – against the same team! Let us hope it is a lucky 13.

At least the day finished well – with Liverpool through to the next round of the FA cup (albeit with a Maradonna type goal by Suarez) – and the same cannot be said for Arsenal and Man United!

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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