A game of two halves

Audlem FC's home match yesterday was on St Patricks Day. Perhaps the shamrock will bring us luck – in the similar way that a four- leafed clover does – and bring us a victory.

Snow around which was a surprise but our opponents – Cricketers Arms of Sandbach arrive early and full of bounce and buzz. Our record against them is very poor so today, with a showing of 15 players, Geoff Stretch our manager was hopeful of a better performance.

So, referee Darren Barnes blows his whistle and we kick off on what is our last planned home game for some weeks to come. We kick off early to the sound of our own finest bells from St James' Church.

Pitch soft and easily cut up. Yellow ball in use against the remains of the snow and virtually no wind. Attacks by Cricketers Arms repulsed with Ed Holmes in goal pulling off many fine
saves. Pitch cutting up already and the kit will be a challenge to Ro who lauders it!

20 minutes in and a free kick to Cricketers is taken and fired straight into our goal. 0-1! We get a penalty and Gaz Jones steps up but his shot is saved. But a swift follow up by Kev Mort and he scores! 1-1.

Two minutes, later a strong run by them and 1-2! AFC are indeed playing well and I stand there thinking we have a good team out today. James "Ferret" Brookes and Kev Rogers playing fast and furious up front.

A clash between Skipper Kev Mort and Mike Gibbons results in Kev being injured. But he runs it off and in fact saves a sure goal a few moments later. In extra time, a great goal by them. 1-3.

Half Time

The cliche – A game of two halves – becomes so true as we take to the field. In spite of a great shot by Kev Mort – just wide, we concede goal after goal.They go in like cannon shots and we fall fast down as they slice though us like a hot knife through butter. Very soon we are behind – and well behind- with a score of 1-10.

Our team is down and out. Playing so poorly and being overrun so much. Kev Rogers still full of energy up front and a good and he scores a consolation goal making it 2-10 but the opposition score again. We finish as the welcome final whistle blows – destroyed at 2-11.

We invite the victors back to The Lord Combermere, our sponsors and they accept and enjoy the best chips ever as we lick our wounds in good humour with them.

I wonder if we will win again this season.
Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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