Audlem FC v Sandbach Town FC

Sunday the 20th

As I get myself together very early, on a morning with a promise of a taste of the Indian summer we all so long for- a good sun climbing from her dawn appearance.

A noisy skein of Canada geese arrow low across my garden as the arrive in numbers for their winter feeding visitation. They are so vociferous in the flight and you can imagine them telling their mates to keep in formation. A great sight of nature in all it's wonder.

Today we face the very strong, well motivated team Sandbach Town F C. Good management team.

Public Hall busy with the splendid Embroiderers' Guild exhibition, so we have to change into our kit "al fresco". Car park very busy as we footballers arrive together with the visitors to the hall. Referee this day is Keith Curzon. We have not seen him before in Audlem.

Sandbach quickly on the pitch – which, by the by, is good and firm with the continuing exception of the awful state of the goal areas – very early as they warm up. We have some late arrivals as Dads have to organise their young children before getting here.

Kick off ahead of time at 1055hrs as the church bells fall silent. Fast and determined play from both sides and we come Oh so close in the first three minutes with a kick for goal by Andrew "Beko" Betterley as he has a shot. Back and forth the play goes. Lots of good voices.

New player taking to the field of play is Elliot "Razor" Steventon – our new village barber.

1108 hrs and a superb shot at goal by Beko – from 30 yards out. Saved – a certain goal it looked. Beko really pressing hard on their goal. Connor Jones is flying everywhere as he plays very well – fearless in his tackles. The whole first half is one of fast play for both sides.

Their Tim lamb very fast on the wing. Good play and Audlem playing like a new team and no way like the poor shadow of a team they were last Sunday. Great pass by Razor to Beko and he is sure to score but no!

Good move by Kev Mort as he feeds Alex Carter – but the shot at goal lacks punch. Dave Bebbington defending well as is his metier.Kev Rodgers everywhere in defence and taking the corners and free kicks. Cry for a penalty by Sandbach denied by the Referee.Beko still running at goal. Surely he must score soon.

Kyle Doughty defending well as Sandbach press hard. As we get to half time, Ed Holmes, in goal, saves at point blank range and stops them scoring at the death of the half.

Second Half.

Kyle runs the full length of the pitch but is thwarted as he attempts a shot. Our team really playing so well and so together. A pleasure to be seeing such teamwork.

James Bebbington and Geoff Stretch orchestrating support from the side lines. I note that the play has been so clean with good tacking on both sides. Then a corner to them. A mess up in our box. An own goal! They are ahead 0-1. A real downer.

Three minutes later and blow me down- they score their 2nd! 0-2. Managers play a sub as Alex Carter comes off and Luca Defoe – new player – comes on for his debut.

Corner after corner as play is fierce. Another attack by SFC is denied by the crossbar. Sub again as Joe Benson is off and Will Ellis on.

Dog stops play briefly.

Then, a penalty is awarded to us. Pete Jones steps up and scores 1-2 now and only 20 minutes to go. Lovely shot in by Elliot – a "close shave" as he fires just wide. Not long to go now. And as I note that, they score again, 1-3

Further sub played as Kev Mort is off and Chris Anderson on. Then a dash to goal and Elliot scores – he was razor sharp in the drive forward. Good debut for him.

In now the" last chance saloon" as Kev Rodgers races forward and- faced by a one on one, he balloons it over the bar. Game over. A great game of team work by us. Really proud of the way they played. No bookings. (We have now played 7 games and just one booking – one yellow card) And delighted to say, no expletives!

Referee was a good fair official. Sandbach joined us at the Lord C for those extra special chip butties.

Ralph Warburton
AFC Chairman

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