Audlem FC travel to Wrenbury

A colder day with grey skies. To the village and the glorious croissants of the Co-op store. (I must tell that the very well liked manageress Mickey Hall is leaving us this coming weekend for a new post . She has been a true friend of the community and we will miss her a lot.)

Load up the kits and the balls; the medical bag and the water bottles. The car park already with cars at 9.30 on a quiet Sunday morning as walkers gather to enjoy the canal side trails.
Set off for Wrenbury for our game versus Salvador.

Again we find ourselves as the strongest team in the league – holding all the rest on our shoulders.

Geoff Stretch and James Bebbington – our management team – faced with just 13 players again. And that includes the brave Alan Brindley nursing a long term injury.
So in effect the team chooses itself.
Pitch a bit bobbly as we take to the fiied. Referee today is Kevin Kelly.
Kick off at 10.59.
A very lively start as all the fitness is OK at this moment. Ed Holmes in goal for us as Jimmy Murphy pays off his three match ban. He pulls off a great stop with his foot.
From a free kick, Pete Jones sets off on a good run up the pitch. His shot saved – but gets us a corner. 1st of the game but no gain for us.
Shot by them hits our woodwork (I say that but in truth the goals are metal these days!)
Salvador pressing very hard on us and testing our defences to the full. Play is a bit scrappy at times.
(Next to us is a game going on at the same time and it is a bit confusing as to which referee's whistle to react to.)
11.17. A fine chase by Pete Jones, passed to Andrew Betteley and wham – he scores. We are ahead!
0-1.
Then a super cross by Andrew and met by Jim Davies but he skies his shot.
Free kick to Salvador just outside our box. The shot goes over the bar.
Grey clouds scudding across the low hanging sky.
Joe Overland playing very well and with good running.
The present score does rightly reflect the game and the effort to date.
Most of the action taking place on the side furthest from my position, as we have throw in after throw in.
Good long distant kick by Dave Bebbington but goalie takes in full into his midriff.
11.35 and then, bang – they score
1-1
(And there I was – dreaming of going in at half time ahead!)

Jim Davies shoots at goal but saved. Kev Mort's header just tipped away. We are pressing very hard.

11.40 and Andrew B wins a penalty.
Up steps Pete Jones – and scores his 7th of the season.
We are ahead again!
1-2
We go in ahead at half time – my dream come true.

Second Half

1150. Kick off for the second half. Joe Benson sends a super ball up field – met by Andrew B – hits the side netting, as we start full of drive.
Salvador drive and hit the post again. Ed Holmes playing ever so well as he pulls of save after save.

Alan Brindley playing a huge part on the side lines as he yells his continuous encouragement – driving all on with his voice.
Then, 12.08 – a stupid silly goal conceded.
2-2 now. So soft a goal.
Our defence opened up.
Dave Bebbington injured and comes off – replaced by Jordan Green. DB has hip problem.
Kev Mort drops back in defence.
I wonder yet again are we to face the Second Half Syndrome, as we concede goals so often in the second half.
And my fears realised as they score once more.
3-2 – from a free kick.
Jim Davies off and brave Alan Brindley on.

Then – a major defensive error and we gift a goal to them.
4-2.
All of this downturn is capped as they score from a mêlée in the goal mouth – with just 5 seconds to go!

Game over.

Man of the Match is Ed Holmes for all the great saves he pulled off and a good word for the input by Joe Overland.
Referee Kevin Kelly one of the best of the season. Controlled it all very well and very fair. And no foul language at all. And no bookings!

Next game 9th November.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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