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AFC First game of the 2017-18 Season

29th August 2017 @ 6:06am – by Ralph Warburton
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Early morning and awake after the so-called boxing match -- which in truth was an event and not a boxing match . The Irishman put up a good fight especially in the first 3/4 rounds. So load up the car with all the kit after having done the laundry, fed the rabbits, fed the cat and watched a little bit of match of the day on BBC1.

Match v White Horse

The game today was at the Barony in Nantwich, playing White Horse football club. Very pleasant day with a good warm sun and the pitch looking in excellent condition. If only we had had a surface like this one. Referee today is one of the best in the form of Des Evans team . New team photograph taken by Des and also by David Robertson ,our most fervent supporter.

11.00 kick-off

The wealth of the beers and ciders at the Lord Combermere may have an effect on some of our players as indeed will be very early morning broadcast of the boxing match.

Lots of pressure by us as the game progresses and all the play is in their half. We have a full team and the new rule of the season for roll on- roll off subs is a good move in that it allows for a more free-flowing game and gives the chance for a kick around by all .

The referee has to give a lecture after a hasty challenge by Kev Rodgers. Kev must watch himself because he is known to have it a bit of a hot temper.

Connor meets a shot by White Horse saved. Then a long shot from outfield by them is tipped over by Connor.

11.18. 1-0

Free-kick for us , a scramble in their area and Andrew Betterley (known to all as BeKo – our top scorer of last season) scores.
The dulcet tones of Kev Mort ringing out as he offers his own individual advice to the players from the sideline.

11.26. 2-0

Great play by us as Joe Benson puts another ball into their net. Another fine shot at goal by Joe Benson and we are very strong at present in our attack Really good effort so far.

Their number 9 is quite a physical sort of player; too much so to my mind and a bit dirty and his play needs to be watched carefully . Kev Mort is the man to do it. 70% of the play is with us.

11.35 Substitution

Dale Bradbury comes off and Billy Whale goes on. Dale has just got back from Cyprus in the early hours of this morning from his holiday.

11.38 2-1

Then a so-so easy a goal as we allow White Horse to score after a long shot upfield.

11.39 2-2

Adam Myers off and Kev Mort on and they score yet again and after a period when we thought we were so well in front we relaxed.
Sun very warm now and very welcome

Second Half

Back we come to kick off after the Team Talk and lots of water.

12.05 3-2

We are awarded a penalty. Joe Benson steps up, shoots and scores !

Dale back on and playing well, in truth all the team is with much good passing and keeping the ball on the day

12.10

and play is now about 50-50 with perhaps just a tiny edge in our favour.
We concede a freekick just outside our box but no gain to them as Kev Mort clears with a very high kick. More pressure and we give away a corner. Connor tips away shot. More subbing taking place in the new rules.

12.26 3-3

and they score! Are we going to lose all that impetus that we had.
Corner to us, then a freekick to White Horse and Connor pulls off another save

12.36 4-3

David Farral, league executive, arrives to see how we getting on.
Great Cross by Kev Mort to Beko's head, but he heads over the bar.
Their keeper mis-kicks the ball and it's met by Brad Jones on the run- he fires in a great goal.

Full time

We win. Marvellous start to the new season . Three points under our belt.
Fantastic result after a good play by our team how it bodes well , we hope, for the season.
Man of the match award. We ask our opponents to make the choice and they come to us and name Ross Henderson as their choice for Man of the Match.

Our next game is on Wednesday the 30th but I cannot be there as it is my birthday that day. We are again at the Barony and play Talbot FC.

The editorial team at AudlemOnline wish Ralph all best wishes on his birthday – hopefully somebody else will be able to report another good win for the team to celebrate the occasion.


This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.

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