AFC Report

As I prepare the squad sheets for tomorrow's game here in Audlem, with the pitch marked out so well -- in spite of cars being parked on the side lines – and rolled, I sit here in my house watching the flames leap from the open fire and recall how we made pictures in the flames when a youngster . Lots of fiery gods went racing up the chimney as my father stoked the fire, which
in those days was made with coal or coke .
A way of escape -- long before the advent of the TV screen that came to dominate each and every sitting-room/lounge .

Cup game v Brighton Belle

But to the game . A cup tie versus Brighton Belle, who let us down at the last moment last year by declaring they could not muster a team!!! Now we will see just what they are made of.

Referee is Keith Curzon -a top rated official .

Mild weather as players troop out to their warm up routine. Early fog being burned off by the rising sun .Good declaration of players with 17 putting their names forward . In all ,just 16 turn up.

11.00 Kick-off

We kick off and the testosterone in full force as each side gets going fast an furious . Lots of throw ins (a note -- our pitch is the smallest in the league but all legal)
First shot on our goal and Connor Baxter catches well.
Sun really gets hot now as the fog lifts . A lovely day in prospect .
Connor catches the bell again as BB attack .
11.15 And first corner goes to us . Taken by Kev Rodgers , but no gain .
We are playing very well and holding our positions . Lots of heart as we strive to score. Danny Mahoney in his first outing since a vasectomy operation following the birth of his third child . Full of running as he always is . Kev Berisford tries for goal but cleared by BB defenders.
11.20 Danny fires a shot at goal . Saved and Kev B gets the rebound but his shot is over the crossbar .
To date most of the chances have fallen our way as we are in the ascendency .
Clean game and very little foul language .
11.25 We win second corner , but again no gain .
Another fine run upfield by Danny but his shot hits the post. Another chance gone .
Bounce up following a clash as referee restarts . Fine ball from Will Cork but nobody there to meet it . Play so much in their half as we boss the game.
11.40 Race upfield by BB as they nearly snore but Connor saves.
Kev B has a shot but goalie saves.
Busy scramble in our box as Connor saves again.

Halftime

11.52 And off we go again. Glorious sun here. Free kick to BB . 30 yards out . Great save by Connor .
12.00 Yet another set piece as BB are awarded another free kick. Thankfully Connor saves .
Good pass to Kev B but his shot is saved. By the way his boots are a striking blue -- not purple as I reported last week.

12.07 0-1

A stupid so soft goal and they score. So darned soft
And after our domination

12.10 1-1

Lovely feed by Sam Mason is met by top scorer Ben Spruce who fires home
Hearts and heads lift with that equaliser .

12.20 2-1

Danny Mahoney up front with a cross is then sent a ball by Will Cork. Danny races forward and scores a fine goal !
We are back in front!!
Now warm enough for me discard my hat and my coat . Joe Benson and Jake Edge come on as Ben and Dan Rooney go off.

12.32 2-2

Set piece again as we concede a free kick.
Wham bam slam -- they score !
Danny comes off and Kev Mort comes on .

12.42 Full time

As this is a cup tie, we have to have a result -- so to penalties
We lose this by 4-3 – so a loss
A game that we did in truth boss for over 60% of the play -- but a game of so many missed chances !

Next game away, at Haslington .

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