AFC Match Report

Up early as is my habit and to my study to review the mail on my PC. Lots of dross that goes into the trash can right away.

I muse on a few things that struck me last week.

Buying spring onions to find they were grown in Egypt! And a pomelo fruit flown here from China. Crazy trade in every way with the fuels of the world being used in this way.
Makes me think of the time when my grandchildren will face a world without oil and presumably a much reduced use of planes . My mind cannot envisage an Airbus flying using electricity -- batteries etc.

Seems impossible to me.

We now race towards the shortest day of the year. And the thought that as from Friday the days get longer.

I note that the finest sliver of a waning moon was there up t0 yesterday . Now we move to the moon filling with reflected light as Christmas day arrives.

But . Our Football

"Here we go , Here we go .." As the "earwig" song of football terraces goes. And we gather today for the last game of the year.

Desmond Evans, Head referee was to officiate here for his first visit to out splendid new facilities in the marvellous Public Hall Annexe. But at a last moment he could not make it.

And our opponents- Elworth Park Rangers F C who play at Wheelock -- will sample all we now have for the first time .

With the bells of St James ringing out on a very damp gloomy sort of day we gather , staying in the warmth of the changing rooms as long as is possible.

Pitch is firm underfoot which is good conserving the welter of rains over the past few days. Damage to the surface by vehicles there but we can play over it even though side line marking is obliterated .

The policy of not playing on the field fir the past 6 months has really worked as we can now be proud to present a good playing surface to visiting teams., And of course the magnificent new Annexe with all that has to offer to the village and the larger community.

Elworth Park Rangers F C are a very good team . With good management . We welcome them .

Our side a tad light as players not turning out through work or just too wet. So veteran father of the team, Kev Mort has to play.

New blue and white nets in place and looking very smart. New blue and white corners flags on the way too.

1100

We kick off in light rain, with myself ensconced in the patio area of the New Annexe , under some cover. 22 wet cold players get fired up right away. Andrew "Beco " Bettely in goal for us as Connor Baxter our regular goalie away at work.

1105

First attack on our goal by EPF .Safe Play 50/50 for sure as we give as good as we get . Very mucky sliding tackles are the order of the day .

Many folks arriving to use our superb new Gym.

Our ever present main supporters, David and Deborah Robertson here with welcome hot coffee.

EPR fire in another shot that goes wide. A party of Tennis players arrive but judge it sensible not to play in such poor conditions.

My clip board getting ever more damp as I scribe my words.

1118

Kev Rodgers our player manager taken down very fiercely. Luckily no damage to him

1123

Great sliding tackle by Callum Badger stops then scoring a certain goal. Conditions show just how important good studs are needed.

1141

Super shot by Mark Parker is saved. Still 50/50 as we perform well against this top of the table team.

HALF TIME . Score 0-0

Players gather under the cover of the patio. Mucky lot now .

SECOND HALF

Danny Mahoney -- full of running- taken down. Free kick to us. Fierce shot from Mark Parker is saved by a very good goalkeeper .

1206

0.1 EPR score . A very simple goal

1208

Kev Mort has a shot but saved.

We are awarded a penalty as Kev M is taken down in the box. Up steps Mark to take the shot. He fires it straight at the goalie who bats it away . So sad that -- a chance missed.

EPR lose a player with a bad knock on his ankle.

1210

Rain heavier now. Players plastered in mucky soil. Kev Mort comes off and Brad Tucker runs on

1225

Fantastic strike from distance by Connor Mc Gowan flies into their net .!

1-1 . Heads come up as we try to play fast and direct.

1230.

And then wheels come off the wagon.

1-2

1-3

1-4

A barrage of goals for Elworth in a rain of soft goals as our defence is filleted and cut to pieces.

All troop off at full time. Heads down after we had played so well for 90% of the game . To lovely hot showers , a luxury we have not had fir the past 4 years or so. Steam rises from good hot waters.

To the Lord C and to entertain our victors to Allan and Jo's chip butties. Man of the Match -as chosen by Elworth -- was Trevor McDowell who was our skipper for the day.

And as I close for this ,my very last report of 2017, a very happy Hanukkah to those of the Jewish faith.

Next year we begin a period of Home games with a run of 9 matches on the trot. With a Big Semi Final Cup tie on the 21st of January versus Barrel &
Tap F C .

With my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all

Ralph Warburton

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