AFC Match Report

Wake to a calm dry day after the rains of Saturday. I was fearing having a match, had Sunday replicated the weather of yesterday. Thankfully the sun is up and soon beaming. Yesterday we had the juniors out on the pitch – which is looking very verdant after the rains of the week and will need much TLC before our next senior fixture- and these children there, in the rain and full of wonderful enthusiasm. Boys and girls from year 3 to year 7. Being coached by registered coaches under FA rules. They were so good and I am determined that I will carry on the good work of all those who set up such a club as the Audlem Saints. Supported by a strong body of parents who register with the FA, we hope to put forward a side soon to play against other young football clubs.

But. The seniors game.

We are away today to play a team named Sandbach Town F C at a pitch in Wheelock. Locked away in a huge housing estate, similar in many ways to that of Stapeley. No changing facilities but thank fully toilets.

A full turn out of 16 men for Mgr Kev Mort .

We change with the blue kit – from the boot of my car in a tiny car park .

Referee is Rick Bradfield .

Opponents quite good , so it will be a test for us. Pitch awash with daisies in bloom , lots of clover and dandelions and the area beyond covered with dandelion clocks .

1055 Kick off .

Dry day, with fluffy clouds in a blue sky. I have to sit on the far side ,so quite a walk .
Magnificent views over rolling fields with trees galore in their bright spring green.

The world now so different for footballers as I am asked to care for ear studs ! And various piercing have to be taped up .

But . The game.

First real action , as an ever running Will Cork fires in a shot , just wide to the left of the goal. A sign for things to come I hope.

Chance for Andrew (Beco) Betteley as he runs fast , tries to lob their keeper, but a soft ground level shot results . No goal.

1105 opponent player injured and from the sound of it , he snapped his hamstring . Bad for him.

1107 First throw in goes to STFC , followed by another and another. But no gain .

1112

Will Cork feeds Callum Mese whose shot creeps wide. We are slightly on top I feel.

1115

Ben Walker sends super pass to on running Will Cork but again his shot is wide . WC is really playing well as main attacker .

1st free kick to STFC . No gain

Cool breeze .

Corner to opposition . No gain

1125

Few rain drops as I trundle back for brollies.

But does not build to anything .

Simon Carvell in goal – as regular keeper Connor Baxter still suffering from his dislocated finger . And SC doing very well with fine saves.

We attack their goal in numbers and a smart back heel by Ben Walker to Callum, but he kicks wide again .

1145

Irrepressible Will Cork races upfield, avoiding a tackle, meets a pass from James Craig and up to the goal mouth. In the melee his kick goes in off their keeper. Own goal ?

1-0 for us . Reflects the game so far .

Half Time whistle.

Swallows feeding on the wing with their marvellous sweeping flight. First time I have seen them . So sad that we see so few now compared to 50 years ago .

SECOND HALF

Corner after corner for opposition . They have come out of the starting blocks full of vim and vigour .

1150

Pass by Jack Walsh is met by who else, Will Cork- but he fires over the bar .

At the other end SC tips a shot over his bar. Doing so well he is for us .

Subs, Callum Mese off and Jack Walsh on

1205

Referee awards a free kick to STFC on the edge of our box, I feared a penalty at first . Shot saved again by SC .

Sub as Andrew Betteley comes off and Seb Burrows on .

1207

And opponents score – and score well

1-1

1212 . Little water break .

Sub again as Thomas Capewell is off, replaced by Dan Rooney .

1220

Long hard drive by opposition . Their shot saved again by SC . He has done so well between the posts . Opposition have suddenly become boss of the match. Corner after corner for them.

Great , great chance for Paul Bowker to score but he fluffs it .

Sub as Ben Walker comes off and Beco comes back on

Sun really good, in such a blue sky. So lovely is May .

Sub again as Paul Bowker walks off- replaced by Tom Smart .

1126

Ref awards Penalty to opponents . Kev Rodgers at fault .

1-2 !!!

Referee sin bins Jack Walsh .

Then:-

As the seconds tick away. A free kick taken by Kev Rodgers to a crowded goal mouth and – who else, Will Cork scores . At the death , as referee blows up before the chance of a restart .

2-2 is the result.

Man of the match

Sam Mason – never out a foot wrong in defence

We get changed and all disperse ,with some heading for the Leopard in Nantwich . Me. Home as I have family up for the weekend.

Next game is away again to Crewe versus J S Bailey at the George's pitches.

Ralph Warburton
Audlem FC