Audlem FC Triumph report!

AUDLEM F C Match report 6th November

Bright, crisp morning as I get myself into gear for the game today. Dig out the thermals and the thick socks. Get my sturdy half boots out from their summer slumber and gird myself for the cold of the touchline.
Load up with the balls, kit and medical bag- plus the very cold water bottles as Geoff and I drive off to Crewe to the King George Playing Fields in West Street. . As we drive , the leaves of summer, now dropped from the branches, dance in crazy flutters behind the car- as though they were whirling dervishes , dancing their way to eventual oblivion.

Which could well be the case with Audlem F C if the present state of play continues. In the last 4 games we have conceded a total of 32 goals . 32!! And scored just 7 . A succession of goalkeepers. A leaking defence. Awful. I wonder which straw will break the camel's back?
This day, this very cold day, we – a team of about 14 men, face a strong opponent. We hopeful men – gosh I feel like Henry V at Agincourt with all this rhetoric- play our own war versus Crewe FC . They , Crewe tower above us in the league , as do most of the teams, and the prospect is a hard one. Who knows, we can be the giantkillers this day- just as the likes of Accrington Stanley when they have faced top division clubs in the past .

Referee is Adam Howells. Younger- New to us and I think the league . Well turned out.
At the brand new changing rooms for this pitch- completely refurbished at a cost of some £300,000 – with just one team playing at this venue!!! Super showers ,toilets etc- just as we hope the new superb Public Hall Annexe will usher in for the village and surrounding habitats next August/September. I am informed that they have been used just 4 times this season!!

Referee all ready and we kick off at 1100 sharp.

A big power talk by Kev Rodgers to the team in the dressing room. Not a hairdryer incident but straight from the heart words to get together. Pull together. Work as a team. Keep our heads high. We shall see if it strikes home.
14 players have turned out. Kyle Doughty in goal as his ankle is a mess. Our other army man, Trevor McDowell back from his 2 game suspension . This is their last game for us as they jet out to Kabul, Afghanistan for many months . They will be very sadly missed.

Both teams full of running as we face a very keen cold wind across the pitch. Pitch hard underfoot. Connor Jones – our top scorer – brought down just outside the area. His free kick flies to the goal but hits the bar . Attack by Crewe and blow me down , they put away a shot. We are behind already at 1110 .

Rain here now and it is cold, cold rain. Wets my note board. Katie & Vicky, wives of our two army men here with their children,. Very brave of them. I brought two extra chairs for them as sitting on a cold ground not very pleasant. Great forward run as Connor and Brad Jones – brothers – combine and feed Andrew " Beco" Betteley who fires home! Joint top scorer four us.
1-1
That warms the cockles of my heart a tad .Fingers getting very cold in spite of my leather gloves.

HALF time whistle- a blessing as a trip to the community centre brings some relief and a bacon bap with HP sauce .

Kick off and so quickly are we on top. Connor scores a goal he made himself with a driving run.
2-1 to US !!!

Beco off as his hamstring plays up. Joe Benson on – sporting a good healthy tan after a visit to the Caribbean and Miami.
Wind has eased somewhat and rain very light. Crewe virtually camped in our half as they try to wear us down. They must be feeling bad to be behind, with their strength . A touch of sunshine very welcome

Game very fast as we defend deep. Our heads are held high and deservedly so for they are playing one of their best games for weeks.
Connor Baxter on and Chris Anderson comes off.

Kyle under pressure as he saves a sure shot. Adam Myers off replaced by young Jake Stannard. Just 16 and his first play for us. – he equips himself well in the short time he is on the field of play
Crewe attacking hard as Kyle pulls off a reflex save – and then yet another.

Game Over
Referee blows for full time

Victory for us! Kev's pep talk worked. A happy crew. I had promised I would stand the first after match beer if we won. So to the Leopard in Nantwich and I am lightened by some £40.

Happy bunch. But then Connor delivers a heart breaking blow. He requests a transfer to Square One in the Premiership. A better team in higher league. And we cannot in truth stand on his way. So we lose our top scorer. We lose two very good players to Afghanistan. Takes some of the glister off our win.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman A F C

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