Audlem FC Report

Audlem FC Report for 29th September 2019

Well, back here to a very damp U.K.- from the warm sun of Spain. Back to rain, and rain, and rain . Flooded roads , flooded fields and have to put the heating on to warm up a very cool house .
Watching match of the day this early Sunday morning ,and contemplating the drive to the George's pitches to face White Lion F C in a cup tie . The pitches there, in Crewe , are soggy at the best of times -- and now in the worst of times ( reminds me of the opening lines of the Tale of Two Cities novel by that wonderful wordsmith, Charles Dickens ) they will be like a swamp .

My hat and jacket to the fore as I gather all together for my journey. Match file, squad list -- some 15 strong -- black tape for socks, kit being taken in by Manager Kev Mort .

White Lion are in a league above us so we shall see just how well we can perform after the mauling of last Sunday . Arrive at the meeting venue to a packed car park . Pitches at George V set up share with big gymnasium .
Changing rooms much improved by Cheshire East but still no contest with the wondrous ones we have in Audlem . Players arrive and stripped and ready for off by 1035.

First Half

Refereee gets us off at 1050 and both sides are taking the measure of each other as play sets off. 50/50 in play . White Lion so much more a successful team and well sponsored .
I take to my seat on the touchline at the half way point. Fast and furious as we shape quite well.
Start is dry with a faint breeze, but clouds building.

1108

Fierce attack on our goal but Connor Baxter our number one goalkeeper saves and saves well.

1115

Spots of rain in the air as clouds darken and look a tad swollen .
Free kick to us. Paul Ashley (Ginge) takes it. 40 yards kick -- right into their goal !
What a start
1-0 to us.

1121

They reply with a goal
1-1
Brolly up now as Kev Mort's young sons Josh and Jack go to fetch it from my car .
Play 60/40 to White Lion as their fitness and skill takes command.

1126

1-2

Half time

All very wet. Two our team tell Manager Kev that they are feeling painful twinges. But they carry on .
Rain. Rain and yet more rain. My boots soaking wet . My lower legs wet.
And then .
1-3 as they score.
Wheels coming off the wagon again as White Lion dominate
1-4
Sunday football on such a foul day and we are being beaten and beaten well.
Mark Parker and Paul come off
Subs James Bebbington and Sam Mason on .
Ref books one of WL players .
But
1-5 as they score .
Alan Burcea comes off and Simon Carvel on.

1207

1-6
And so it goes on in the rain .
Goals raining on our heads
1-7
Then a fine move up field as Simon passes to Andrew Betteley and AB scores. He is our top scorer
2-7
Final goal to them
2-8

Not a good end to the month of September for us.
Out of this cup competition and soaking wet as well.
Drive away with kit bag heavy with soaking kit .
It has got to get better for us but even with such a drubbing, heads are not down low .

A very fine article on AOL this Sunday morning by Howard Hilton, reminiscing on the time he and his family arrived in Audlem in the late 50s /60s with super photos of the days that were then .

Next Sunday. Into autumn proper now as October arrives with all that that will mean for our country as those in charge continue to play havoc with the life of all !!

We play Crewe and Nantwich FC at home and I feel the tide will turn in our favour

Ralph Warburton
AFC

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