Audlem FC are the Tops !

As I muse here in the early hours and prepare myself for the coming game, I reflect on sights seen as I drive through the lanes and roads hereabouts. I see the activity in the fields after this seasons crops have all been harvested . And see the tractor out , ploughing the earth to be ready for the next crop . And I note. Years ago one would see such a scene of serenity and continuing life ,as the dark soil was turned over, followed by a host of seagulls and other large birds seeking to feast on all the worms and grubs brought up. Now. Not one bird following. Not a single one. What have we done to those who live in the soils and the earth of our world. Killed off with so much pesticide ? An Agronomist tells me that with the increase in big numbers to intensive dairy farming , and with 1000 head all indoors, the resultant slurry being pumped out over the fields is far more than ever was with open grazing. And slurry is ,I am told ,a highly corrosive stuff. Killing the earth ?
Such a sad sight to see.

But.
Football . The game.
As I load up kit , balls, medical bag, chairs , papers etc – after viewing Match of the Day and that magical goal by the great Mo Salah, , I am off to the COOP for those very scrumptious croissants.
This day we face Princes Feathers of Winsford – a team with a reputation so I wonder how we will handle them.
Referee is Jem Cornes – a fine and fair ref who keeps the game flowing .

Manager Kev Mort has a good if slightly lower squad from which to select the line up. We play a 4-4-2 set up.
Opponents in Purple kit and us in our home strip of Red and Black.
Car park very full as many walkers take the opportunity to go off into the countryside hereabouts. The free car park being a magnet!

Dog mess removed. I wish I could meet those responsible and deposit it on their doorstep.
Playing surface reasonable ,but tennis court end goal is getting more bare. Goal posts at cemetery end look like they need replacing! John Bryan , our training supremo takes the players through their warm up routine etc.
1107
We kick off a tad late . Usual fast and furious start, as each team winds up the testosterone and tests each others resolve.
1110
1st Free kick goes to PF . No gain.
1st Corner to us – no gain.
2nd free kick goes to us. Kev Rodgers, our left back supremo takes it. Feeds to Seb Burrows who buries it !
1-0
They send in a shot on our gaol ,which ever alert Connor Baxter catches it safe. First attack on our goal.
Another fine save by CB .
A loud yell by PF manager echoes across the pitch " This is Primary School Stuff" as he urges his players on . Frustrated at their inability to penetrate our defence .
1125
CB pulls of another fine save as PF react to the yell.
1128
And that goal scoring machine , Nick Gregory races up field ,taking tackle after tackle – and nets!
2-0
1131
Ref awards PF a penalty . A bit harsh I feel.
They score
2-1
I am sited here on the side line for my observation's of the play , along with Rachel , our super secretary and Grace , partner of our fine right back, Dan Rooney. Lots of comment and advice given to me ! We have to pay just under £500 today for the privilege of playing our games here – so lots of juggling as we try to sort out how we meet the demand from Cheshire East.
Joined by Callum Mese, out with ankle injury and after his first sample of a full English breakfast at the Priest House Café and Shop – but no black pudding!
1135
Super ball from Will Cork to Nick Gregory who scores
3-1
1137
Free kick for PF but no gain.
PF keeper injured so play stops a while ( Later find out he has to go to A+E with suspect broken foot )
1150
Beautiful drive by Seb Burrows to Paul Bowker – and he nets!
4-1


HALF TIME
Within moments , Nick G is up field and puts the ball firmly into their net
5-1
A Hattrick for Nick . What a player !!
Ben Walker, fed by Nick Gregory- shoots but hits the cross bar. We are so on top in this match.
1206
Will Cork – fearless WC – is chopped down by a hard two footed sliding challenge . As usual up he gets!
1209
Fumble by stand-in goal keeper, leaves an open goal and Ben Walker races in to score
6-1
Sam Mason off and Jack Welch comes on.
1219
Who else, But Nick Gregory – meets a pass by Ben Walker and nets.
7-1
Must make a time for huge praise to our defence which has been superb all through the game.
Ben Walker off as Andrew "Beco" Bettely comes on
Paul Bowker off and replaced by Toni Sindstadt
1220
Will Cork is "folded" in a challenge . Callum tells me folded means like being collapsed like a deck chair ! One learns something new every day
1123
Beko has a shot but goes wide
1226
Free kick to us – on the edge of their area.
Kev Rodgers takes a dummy over the ball and James Craig scores the goal.
8-1
1235
Still hungry . A great ball crossed by Kev Rodgers under much pressure , but no one meets the ball .
1239
Nick Gregory to Beco but goalie saves his strike . Close!
Pass by Beco as we still push to seek more goals. Pass by Beko to Tony Sindstadt but goalie saves .
Then – an oh so soft goal as PF score
8-2

Game over

A superb win . Good play all round with all playing their part to the full
Man of the match  -Nick Gregory for playing his part to the full.
We are still top of the league, with a very good goal difference.
Next game is at home in A Cup Tie – on the 24th versus J S Bailey of Nantwich in the resumption of the cup match that was abandoned on 12th September

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C