AFC Match report 14th October 2018

As I rise in the dark before dawn, and one in which no owl does hoot, I prepare my breakfast of fruit. And it is quite remarkable that I am dining on strawberries grown in Lancashire in October! What a change that is – and they are sweet and far, far better than the ones we had from Spain at this time of the year. Add to that the pineapple that was flown in from Costa Rica and tomatoes from Country Durham. All with good taste, and shows just how the world has shrunk. Even so it is to be noted that bananas were first on sale here in the UK in the 1630's. And imagine how they were shipped here!! Months at sea under sail. Amazing when you think of it.

Now with the trees losing their chlorophyll and the leaves turning into all the gorgeous reds, yellows and purples, we face the fast approaching winter and those long nights. Logs store filled ready for keeping toastie in my house.

Game this time is in the Cheshire Cup versus a team named Spital Vaults, located near Chester . I have hired a coach to take around 29 of us, leaving Willaston at 0845. Hopefully with all on board.

Arrive at the lovely village of Christelton with a magnificent large pond. Down a narrow lane to the pitch, sharing the area with a very fine cricket grounds. Coach driver did very well to negotiate the single track.

We play in our away kit of yellow and face fierce opposition. Opponents are very strong team and one that is tipped to be at the final of the Cheshire Cup Competition. But all of us are up for the game.

Tough for our managers as we have the bare minimum of players. 11 plus 3 subs. Strict rules. Each player must play in his given number 1-14 and be so declared on the team sheet given to the three officials.

Pitch with much in the way of fallen leaves – the result of Callum and its strong winds.

Mark Parker – a striker for us – is away after the very difficult birth of his baby daughter. We all wish Cheryl a fast recovery after her mammoth efforts.

The play Referee lines up the teams and they do the handshake as fir Premiership teams. Our first ever experience of this tradition.

KICK OFF

Good start by us and we are bossing the area in front of their goal. 1st and 2nd corners go to us as we press hard. Great long distance looping shot by Kev Rodgers strikes the cross bar.

1112
They strike and score
0-1

Next corner to them and the shot goes sky high. Danny Mahoney has a shot – just over the bar. We are working hard at taking the game to our opponents – in spite of the fear that we are in for a spanking!

Connor Baxter not in goal as he recovers from an operation for an ingrowing toenail. So Jack Welch is there.

1123
0-2 They score from a fine measured attack, with good passing keeping the ball on the deck. Their man to man passing is in a class above ours.

HALF TIME

1156 and Andrew Beco Betteley scores!! From a fine assist by Will Cork.

1-2. Heads rise.

Great run down the wing by Ross Henderson – jumping over two sliding tackles – but his cross comes to naught.

A free kick for us and a great cross that should have been put away. I reckon we have had at least two chances at a goal in the first minutes of the second half.
Then Spital Vaults take us by the scruff of the neck with their class

1204
1-3

Sub Joe Benson comes on for Ben Spruce. Great cross shot by Joe Lance is saved.

1215
1-4!

We are now being spanked.

We play on as we try to score. As Claire Capewell, (here with Adam and Riley as supporters) says: "Football is about two nets. You put the ball in one and defend the other". So true!

Beco off and Kev Mort on as the game runs its course.

Game over.

We have had a great experience of a Cup Tie. And I must say we can hold our heads high as I feared a score in double figures. A bit like us facing a Goliath.

Troop off in the coach after changing and showering, and we drive on past some 50 or more ducks waddling their unhurried way across the lane. such a English sight.

To the real community pub in Chester of The Spital Vaults and curry and rice for us – laid on by the home team. Good atmosphere and great games of Bagatelle- the ancient and original Bagatelle. Boozing of course. 1500 and on the coach home. Lots of raucous singing as the libations flow. But all clean songs.

A fine day and a good experience of facing a really strong team. To have kept it at 4-1 was a good result and the team can feel good as we did play better than they had been expected by our opponents.

Neat 4 games are here in Audlem, beginning with a visit by the White Horse team. A chance of a victory we feel.

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C

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