AFC Match Report

April 11th – v Sandbach FC

A very cold morning as I go to my sauna ,in the time before the breaking of the day. Birds very quiet in the cold .
Back and showered and car loaded up. Kit, freshly laundered .
To my PC to deal with game 55 of the online Lord C quiz , by checking the answers of the quizzers to the 87 questions I had set them last Friday .
All done and to see match of the day headed by millionaire Gary Lineker . To see Liverpool yet again win, in what used to called "Ferguson Time" .
All done and set off via the COOP for the fresh baked croissants .
Mgr Kev Mort and Coach Kev Rodgers, the backbone of the team, already on site at the Annexe .
Nets in place and team members arrive in dribs and drabs. Again denied use of the best changing rooms in our league , so all must change in the very cold open .
Good turn out again . Subs paid as they arrive – and David and Deborah very kindly give me their cash donation .
Referee this day is Jem Cornes , a really good Referee . And most welcome here.
He arrives at 1050 after having already been referee at a youngsters game in Betley .
Today we entertain Sandbach F C .
Last time we met , we won 4-3 – after being 4 up !
This day I hope we will not let a lead go-if we get one that is .
Cold day. Cutting light wind. Trees around the pitch looking lovely in their new leaves and flowers . Ross Henderson , our star winger, arrives from Woore , with his car caked in snow. Just 4 miles up the road and heavy snow there .
Such a contrast !

Kick off at 11:02.

Usual testosterone fuelled play, as each side races into action .

11:06 1-0

Great run by Andrew "Beco" Betteley as he attacks their goal – and he scores
What a fine start . And kicked off by a star striker .
11:15 and the bells of St James peal out. I am told by Christine that they can ring them but only with 3 bell ringers. So quite a task.
Team really shaking up well, but as I think that I wonder if if have put a curse on them . Hopefully not.
11:20 Really camped in the opponents half as we attack. A chance for us comes to nought.
Sandbach race to our goal, fire in a shot but it goes over the bar.
11:25 . Free kick to SFC. First of the game .

11:27 2-0

A superb run twisting and turning by Callum Mese as he goes through the defenders – and scores a lovely goal.
Free kick to us this time. No gain
11:32 Play more or less 50/50 now. SFC shoot but ball goes over the crossbar.
11:35. Free kick to SFC, direct on our goal but Skipper Thomas Capewell heads to safety

11:37 3-0

Beco sends in a sweet ball that is picked up by Callum Mese. Fights his way through defenders , and scores!
Lovely stuff .
11:41 Free kick to SFC again .
Handbags between Kev Rodgers and one of the SFC players. Player had elbowed Kev in the face . All calmed down
Long shot by Callum Mese as their goalie was off his line, but the winds gets underneath and lifts it just over their crossbar. Nearly his hat trick!
11:51 Another free kick to SFC . Shot saved by Connor Baxter who is having a very good game

HALF TIME

Brief break – and water taken .
11:58 Back to the fray. No subs played yet by Mgr Kev Mort.

12:00 3-1

Blow me down, Sandbach score
We get a free kick, but no gain
Then yet another FK to SFC . They have had so many.
12:05 Sandbach playing well so far with new heart .
Then Be co fires in a shot which grazes the upright. He is really enjoying his game.
Sun has some warmth, when it peeks from behind the clouds, a bit of welcome warmth .

12:10 4-1

Yet another free kick to SFC. Shot saved well by Connor. Goal kick by him right down the pitch, met by Beco , who shoots- and scores!
Cold air really getting to my hands, shivery weather. Callum tries a kick but goes just wide. He is doing very well.

12:17 5-1

Long ball up field is met by Beco, who feeds Ben Walker and Ben puts it away
Tom Smart on as Seb Burrows comes off.
12:20 Guess what, another FK to SFC .
Callum Mese off as Dan Rooney comes on .
Cross shot by SFC , cleared well by Kev Rodger. From his toe point !
Did, I feel – stops what looked like a sure goal .
Paul Bowker off and Stefan Kotowski comes on
Kev Mort comes on for the closing minutes.

Full time whistle

And a good result for us with 5-1 score line .
Good clean game. No cards
All very content and off we troop .

Next Sunday. We play again at home. Opponents not yet known as league has set up games similar to European Championship matches as they try to end the season positively.

Ralph Warburton
AFC