Audlem Football Club Match Report

How far we have come in these past 10 years . A chance conversation with Dan Morris as he worked at the bar of the Lord Combermere . That hub of so much social life for our community here .
He asked would I consider reviving the long dormant football team here . A few moments thought -- and I said yes, providing he was in it too.
So . It began , highs and lows. Players come and go . Management changes , but I am the true constant as indeed is our bank . They have dealt with us kindly and fairly all these past years. Our fortunes have fluctuated . Cheshire East have demanded their Pound of flesh each season , but we have coped and kept our head above water.

And Now.

Riding high with good play. Clean play . Superb squad , all keen to play . Seriously strong management team . The wily Manager in the person of Kev Mort, (who so looks like Sean Connery) and one who can get anything fixed or found, the super management coach/player Kev Rodgers. A very bright and very capable club secretary in the person of Rachel Anderson.
A fully trained and qualified club physio, Emma Graham and a Club trainer, John Dyer.
Respected by all in the league . And with the very best facilities of all the clubs -- in our wonderful Public Hall Annexe . Full changing rooms. Hot showers . The envy of many.

Today

We shoot for the stars as we play to claim the top spot of the league this season .
Our opponents this weekend are Crewe & Nantwich United. Strong team . Referee is head ref, Des Evans .
To the pitch for 09:30. Changing rooms checked. Emma our physio here early with members of her family . She sets up and her boys get the kit out ready for the players .
Weather calm if a tad cool at this hour. Pitch perfect , cut and marked well .
Church bells ringing out beautifully.
Opponents in a cornflower blue strip whist we are in our string red/black kit as sponsored by Marstons and Adam at the Bridge Inn, along with myself paying for half of the costs. Prematch trains taken by John Dyer our trainer .

10:50We kick off early as all ready for it. Normal fast and furious start as each tests the other.
1st corner goes to us , but no gain .
10:55Senior league executive David Farrall arrives and is made welcome .
Great play by Callum Mese as he twists and turns, fooling their defence. Shoots well but the crossbar saves them .
So close have we come to scoring. As pass after pass presented across their goalmouth comes to nought .
11:152nd Corner To us . Crossed to the box and Skipper Thomas Capewell rises but his headed just over the bar.
11:18Free kick to us. Kick by Nick Gregory, a super goal scorer , goes wide.
11:21Corner to C &N . Big scramble in our goalmouth and Connor Baxter our so fine goalkeeper pulls off a great reflex save. First of many as it so turns out . With a big assist by Jack Welsh .
The whole game so far is played so loudly -- both sides so vociferous , but clean with no foul words.
Referee lectures Kev Rodgers . A tell off but no card flourished .
11:252nd corner to C&N . Headed clear by Seb Burrows .
Lots of very welcome sunshine now .
11:30A pass cuts it way through our defence but Connor saves with his legs . Having a great game indeed.
Loads of throw ins , mostly on the car lark side of the pitch .
Beautiful ball by Kev Rodgers, met by Callum Mese who skies it high and wide. The pass deserved more.
11:35 Half Time.
Off we go again. Will Cork on and Ben Walker off
Free kick as Andrew Betteley is brought doe. 3 metres outside their area. No gain.
11:45Fast run up field by Kev Rodgers, shoots but just flashes wide .
Still 50/50 is the play .
Fierce shot by C &N , and Connor, now with his cap on to shield the sun, saves yet once more .
11:50Corner to us. No gain
They attack our goal and guess what, Connor saves!! What a game he is enjoying . He has kept us in the game.
11:58Sub. Callum Mese off, Sam Mason on.
We score , but adjudged off side .
Sub . Danny Mahoney on as Seb Burrows comes off
12:03Fantastic ball by Andrew Beco Betteley . Met by Nick Gregory. Who plants it in their net

1-0

Rachel our very observant and active secretary says to me " their goalie -- well over 6 feet and very slim -- looks like a large condom" where that came from, beats me !!
12:12Corner to C &N . They are really rattled now after conceding that goal. Superb trade mark long throw by James Craig but goalie catches it.
We are being pressed hard now .
12:21They score !

1-1

We are a bit sloppy. Tired?
Not as dynamic now as the hard pitch takes its toll on the players .

Game over -Honours shared.

Man of the Match was Connor Baxter, goalkeeper extraordinaire.

Audlem players off to the Bridge fir cool lager and chips .
Me. Nearly flat tyre so I limp home.

Next game and we are home again as we play JSBailey in a cup-tie

Ralph Warburton