Audlem FC go to Sydney

Well, here and back to be able to see AFC in action. We were faced on Thursday night with the prospect of just six players ready for the match on Sunday. Yes! Six.

Reason – Wembley Semi-finals. A certain big match at Anfield, and various injuries.

So, frantic messaging, seeing who can we muster. In the event we have to sign up new players in the shape of Jack Allman, Joey Nixon and a transatlantic signing of Dan Keighley of Chester, New Jersey, USA. Our first international!

We set off for the game at 9.30am from the meeting point at Audlem Car Park. And wonders of wonders we have 15 players in all. Glorious sunshine. Good spirit.

We arrive at our destination – the Sir William Stanier Leisure Centre, located in Crewe off Middlewich Street. Our opponents are Sydney Arms FC – a team way above us in the table with aspirations of winning the league championship.

Referee Darren Barnes. We play in green as Sidney in yellow. In goal is Ed Holmes , who last played for us in 2012/3 season as Connor Baxter is up at Anfield.

Kick off just 2 minutes late. Breeze quite gentle. Not too much in bird song nor church bells here – the background sounds are of the trains as they shunt into the station and those of police sirens.

Sun slanting across the pitch so no bother to goalies' eyes. We play fantastically. Really good team, pulling as one and that considering the new men in the team is quite remarkable.

Great through ball as we dominate play is met by Kev Mort as he runs at two defenders, rounds them – and scores! Wow – 0-1!

On the game goes with us camped in their half. We are frustrating them and worrying this strong team. Corner to us and the ever active Kev Mort heads just wide. Our International Dan Keighley is playing very well. Peter Jones really strong in defence.

Halftime and we lead. Superb.

Second half

And I worry that all might come undone as so often has happened to us in the past. A bit stronger breeze but blue sky and fluffy Tellie Tubbie clouds in the sky. Three minutes in and Ref awards a penalty to them. Very harsh for what looks for all the world like a dive.

1-1. Sad that. The Town Hall Clock strikes the hour of 12.00. An omen? Now the pressure is on us as Sidney are in our half most of the time.

1207 and Kev Mort, our irrepressible skipper misses a sitter. 12.11 and substitution made by our managers, Geoff & James. On comes James Bebbington as Alan Brindley comes off.
Superb run by new boy Joey Nixon as he sends a lovely pass to Dag (Deep Heat) Sirle, who sends a sweet cross to the advancing Kev Mort who volleys his shot right into their goal.

Magic. 1-2 . We are ahead again. The resulting restart,. and blow me down, a stupid soft goal as they equalise. 2-2.

No wind now. Much calmer wearer but not calm on the pitch. Then another goal to them.
3-2. My fears are becoming real. Subs made as James Edgerley goes on to replace Jim Davies.

Then a great run at goal by Kev Mort. He scores. A hatrick. 3-3.

Great feeling. Time running out fast. Then in the 92nd minute they score a stupid easy goal. 4-3. We lose a game that on the form of the day we should have won. And against a leading team. Even the Ref says we did deserve more from the match.

Man of the Match is Skipper Kev Mort with his three goals. A big mention – the super input by Dan Keighley and Joey Nixon – new signings on the day.

Next game is at Home on the 27th April.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman Audlem FC

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