After the Lord Mayor's Show...

I wake to a grey day. A day with 8/8th cloud cover – as used to describe the coverage in meteorological terms. Reminds me of my days in the Fleet Air Arm as a meteorologist aboard an aircraft carrier.

Our duty was the giving of MET reports for the pilots afore flight from the carriers deck. We sailed at full speed of around 30knots and into the wind to give the aircraft enough lift as possible on take off.

But I return to my day. And as we arrive in Alsager for the game, the clouds break up slightly to bring welcome sunshine on my face.

We play at Alsager School. A great sprawling place in need of some TLC. Versus Bank Corner. Ours is a scratch team of just 12 men. A stark contrast to last week. Referee is Darren Barnes.
Kick off on time and within three minutes Kev Mort is taken down in a fierce tackle – and hobbles off with a very sore right ankle joint. So now no sub as we soldier on.

11.20 and play is 50/50 as each gives the other their best – but I do fear another drubbing. They are a well together team with a commanding goalkeeper.

11.25: A cross into our area, and in the mayhem of defence we concede an own goal.
0-1
1130: We are sliced apart as they score again.
0-2
Breeze now lessened and the sun warm to my head. But then it hides away behind cloud and the cold air takes over.
Half time arrives and the sight of our men lying down as compared with the opponents standing as they discuss tactics not a good sign.

Second Half

Two minutes of play. They score!
0-3
A fine try by Beko as he fires at goal but goes over the top. Action in truth is call in our half as they take over the play.
12.20: We concede a silly penalty.
0-4
12.25: A so lazy lob and – bang – they score so easily.
0-5
Like taking toffee off babies.

Stuffed. Fileted. Taken apart. So, so different from last week. Embarrassed to see this exhibition of poor play. And it was young Connor Jones' birthday at 23. Not a happy day
After the Lords Mayor's show, comes the muck cart, as they say.

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C

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