Audlem FC Report

My mornings and afternoons now resonate to the honking of the wild geese as they fly overhead ,as if they were the Red Arrows of RAF fame. So precise in their formation -- mostly in a "V" shape , with the lead bird changing as they make their noisy way to feeding grounds . Must be hundreds of them and I dread to think of what their mass of droppings is like !!. Sadly we now begin the run in to Autumn 🍂 as the leaves on the maple tree begins to put on it glorious colours, s seen on my photo -- a far prettier picture than my team. But I will have a new team photo after commissioning Elli Mort , a great photographer, to take the new official line up on the 2nd September when we play at home.

A drive now in my trusty Volvo to Sandbach where we play White Lion F C FC . A strong team.
We are at the headquarters of Sandbach United with fine facilities. We are the only senior players playing here today. Other pitches occupied by boys teams and one ladies match.

Lousy rain falling from the skies. Pitch very green and with good grass.
Referee is Rick Bradfield, secretary to Cheshire F A .
I site myself on my chair on the side-line at halfway point. Attempt to set my brolly in such a way as to try to keep my clipboard papers dry.

1100
We win the toss and off we go. Each fired up so attack flows to and fro. Play 50/50. Alan Brindley, one of our
ex-players and a staunch supporter, brings me a welcome cup of hot coffee.
1108
Fine shot by Mark Parker is tipped over the bar by the goalie.
1116
Ref. awards an indirect free kick as punishment for our player mouthing off. Taken and then they score from a very good long testing shot.
0-1
Rain continues unabated. Getting soggier and soggier as my feet are so wet. Legs very wet and cold . A lovely sight as a pair of swans fly majestically -- over to the rear of my seat. They mate for life I understand and the glorious beat of their large wings is so wonderful a sound of strength.
Now the wind gets up, battering my brolly and cascading water onto my pad.

Danny Mahoney seems to everywhere as he harries the opposition . And then Connor Baxter our goalie is felled as he lands heavily on his back. Treatment as he lies on the very wet ground but to no avail and he has to come off. Replaced by one of our best goal scorers , Andrew Beco Bettely. Thomas Peter comes on
Then Mark Parker comes off with hamstring troubles. Joel McCallum comes on .
Half time and we are behind. Notable that in this wet, cold day , very little water is taken from the bottles.

SECOND HALF

Wetter and wetter and I think to myself -- 45 more minutes of this. Only a goal can give me comfort.
1143
We score!
Trevor McDowell feeds a ball to Danny Mahoney who puts it away with aplomb .
1-1
The only game now underway in all of the 8 pitches is ours. We must be mad!!
Rain heavier now and my mind flies back to the village and the Beer Festival at the Lord C . What a disaster for Allan and Jo.
Getting close to the end of the game with still much running by both sides. 2 yellow cards for the opposition.
Then in the 89th minute, we score!!
Great feed by Lee Macca McConnel is met by Ben Spruce who puts it in the net.
We WIN
2-1.

Off we troop . soaking but cheered by a win. We are now joint second in the league!!!
Back to the Lord C and the beer festival and the chip butties. I stand the first round in celebration of our win.

Next home game scheduled for Wednesday 29th versus White Eagles -- not sure if they have clearance from the FA as they are a Polish team from Crewe.

Ralph Warburton

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