AFC Match Report

Update on the May 9th non-match

Before I write anything, I thought that I should update all on the matter of the said "to be opponents" on the 9th.

You may recall that a great deal of chicanery took place as they worked hard to not play. Saying pitch was flooded. Etc .Not enough players (you have to play even if you only have 7 -- and of course Saturday night had a boxing match in the early hours).

Evidence submitted by ourselves and evidence from referee etc was presented the Executive of The League. This, and the fact that a game took place at the same venue on that same date, made the case against AFC Talbot very strong.

The upshot of the deliberations and votes of the Executive is that the three points for that game be awarded to us. Stupid thing that they did , but honour is restored.

Match report: Sunday, 23rd of May.

Away against JSBailey. At Crewe. Tough opponents. Referee David Bloor.
Weather over the days has been appalling and I fear that the pitch may be a tad swampy. We shall see.

Arrive at the venue. Still no changing room for us. And this with a huge Gym full of people right by the car park. So darned silly that we are made to get changed in the car park. Add to that the fact that 10,000 are in Anfield later today.
Absolutely stupid of Crewe and Nantwich powers that be.
Anyway, all 17 players there in their underwear for all the passing folks to see.

10:55 Referee gets us underway. Cold, cold day with lowering skies overhead looking so full of rain. But dry at present. I am wearing my gloves. In May!
So many players, as I said which gives Manager Kev Mort the headache of naming the eleven. A good problem to have though.
Mad, mad chase as both sides get away from the blocks. Like greyhounds from the traps.
Throw in after throw in .

1-0

11:00 Long throw in by James Craig is met in a crowded goal mouth by a rising Tom Capewell and he heads in a superb goal.A great beginning.

2-0

11:04 Driving run by Ross Henderson – such an important member of the squad – sends ball to Will Cork who lays it on for an on rushing Ben Walker, who sends it home.
Free kick to JSB. Simon Carvell in goal miss punches it and then Ross Henderson makes a goal line save.
Play is quite fierce with much heavy tackling. Wind has eased slightly.
11:10 Another free kick for JSB, followed by a corner and yet another. Defence for us under pressure. But we break free. Good run by James Craig, fed by Will Cork, but his shot saved.

3-0

11:15 Callum Mese feeds a lovely ball which Ben Walker meets, fires – and scores!

4-0

Will Cork kicked very hard. Free kick. Taken by Kev Rodgers and he sends to ball to Tom Capewell who slams it home.Wow !
Executive member of the league arrives as we score that 4th goal . Mr David Farral – always so welcome.
Play gets ever fierce with opponents well and truly riled. No prisoners taken as JSB attempt to redress the situation they find themselves in.
11:25 Corner for us. Ball sent into the box by Kev Rodgers, we score but ruled offside.
(Just behind my position on the side line is an American Football game underway. Seems so strange to see the big squad with helmets and padding here in Crewe.)
Three corners in succession for us as we do so dominate the play.
Half Time whistle .
Team talk very positive as we glory in our lead. No subs played yet

SECOND HALF

Off we go and blow me down

4-1

11:47 JSB attack and strike. Like as if they had magic at the break.

4-2

11:50 And again they score.
Sam Mason, key defender kicked and injured comes off, Dan Rooney comes on.
What has gone wrong with us. We have been bossing all the play! A shock to the system indeed.
Referee is missing so many offsides!

4-3

Opponents in yelling mood as they feel they can escape. Press hard and darn it.

They score.
Ooops
We must get back to our attack. And, by golly we do just that . Tom Smart on as Ben Walker has to come off after his foot stamped on. Sad that for it means he will not get his hat trick.
12:07 Some rain in the air.

5-3

We attack hard. Will Cork to Andrew Betteley who feeds it to Paul Bowker and he sends it home.
Free kick to us right on the edge of their box.Dan Rooney takes it but no gain.

6-3

Ball by Paul Bowker, met by Will Cork who slams it home.

7-3

12:20 Penalty awarded to us Will Cork is hacked down.
Skipper Tom Capewell steps up to the spot. And scores. His hat trick.
Lovely stuff indeed..
Alex Dale comes on as Paul Bowker leaves the play.
Will May comes on replacing Will Cork.
Great runs up field as we attack again. The shock of opponents scoring as they did has truly fired us up.

8-3

12:26 Race forward and Tom Smart feeds a ball to Andrew Betteley who slots it home!

Game over. We have scored 8 goals !!!! And played throughout as a finely honed machine.
Man of the match award goes to skipper Thomas Capewell . Well deserved .

Lots drive off to the Leopard in Nantwich, walking on air after such a fine game.
Next match is at home and versus the league leaders, Broadhurst, who are such prolific goal scorers. A tough game for us.
Do come along and cheer us on.
A cold, but very happy,
Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C