Audlem FC Match Report

Today we meet at Sandbach FC headquarters for a friendly game against Cricketers Arms team. This is our last friendly before the season begins in earnest on the 27th. Through our Facebook page, we were promised a good turnout of players so fingers crossed and we shall see who turns up.

The facilities here at Sandbach are extremely good but I know, having been involved with the building of the new Annexe, that we will be able to match the best that the Sunday football league has to offer teams in terms of changing facilities, showers and the like.

I set off from my house -- going via the co-op shop in order to buy some of their freshly baked bread, which is quite delicious. Drive in good weather and arrived at my destination at 10 o'clock. Good to see everything in readiness for us and I offload the kit and all the paraphernalia with the help of Kev Mort, who has just flown home from Turkey this very morning. Kev is a very good servant to Audlem Football club and has been at the forefront of it all since our inception.

Team that turns up totals 14 in the end and we troop out to a good pitch, with the referee Mick Costello being in charge. Kickoff sharp at 11 o'clock in good weather with good sunshine, such a contrast from Saturday's weather.

Our manager Kev Rodgers has to go in goal as our goalkeeper, Connor Baxter is not well. Play is quite fast and furious football from both teams.
A great move up field by Andrew (Beko) Betterley is met by our new signing Mo Haroon – a young player from Stoke-on-Trent. Looks a good prospect and promises to serve us well. We also have a new player in Callum Badger, but only until he is called to university in Sheffield around mid September.

Game is about 50-50. Both sides testing each other out. Another great move by Bradley Jones crosses for Mo to meet it on the run but no goal.
A tremendous amount of verbal advice being given by the men on the sidelines -- and by Kev Rodgers, standing between the sticks. Referee has to give a verbal lecture to Dag Sirle -- mostly for him mouthing off.
It is a really lovely sunny day, calm and quite a contrast from Saturday with its so cold weather .

1130 and Cricketers are awarded a freekick right on the edge of our box. A test for Kev Rodgers in goal and he comes to the rescue. Ross Henderson, another of our new players, is a really good find and plays his part extremely well. First corner awarded to us, but no gain.

1135 and a great ball from Ross Henderson to Beko, who crosses to Mo and he puts it away for our first goal. His first game for us and he scores on his debut!

Half time.

Cricketers more in the game in the second half, as I see some sign of tiredness creep begin to our play. Lots of deep heat spray and cream being applied. So much so that the sidelines smell like a hospital.

12 o'clock and Marcus Bell arrives, after suffering some pain. Part of the play now is using roll on roll off subs so all get a chance for a kick.
The sun getting hotter on my head and it is a really pleasant Summer's day. Made even more as we are in front by one goal.

Some tempers are getting a bit frayed and Referee calls Beko over to him for a lecture after a bit of mouthing off.

1232 and blow me down Cricketers get a corner and score
1-1.
Referee has to give a very stern lecture to Dag for his mouth. Sadly Dag does have a very short temper and can quite easily find himself in the referees notebook if he is not careful .

Game continues at a pace and it is very pleasing to have witnessed the team playing as they have played today. Final whistle and a real feeling of wellbeing in that we have done a good job. The team is truly shaping up and perhaps this season we will have a chance for a good performance .
Our first league match is against White Horse at the Barony on the 27th of this month.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.