Football marred by serious injury

So – full of the good cheer of the festive season, a motley crew of men – some of whom are still suffering the signs of over-indulgence – gathered at the playing field to play a special Boxing Day game of football. It's good weather with a firm pitch.

The match is Audlem F C, skippered by Kev Mort, versus the Audlem Old Boys , skippered by Julian "Fox" Adair.

Teams

AFC :Rob Lowe, James Bebbington, Alan Brindley, Jack Mc Mclintoch, Kev Mort, Iain Chalker, Kev Rogers, Craig Holding, Dan Morris, Peter Kulak, Mathew Hobbs , Darren Broadhurst, Alex Cliffe and Kev Walters.

Old Boys: K C Butters, Julian Fox Adair, Warner Baxter, A Harvey, Simon Beach, Connor Baxter, James Davies, Will May, Mick Farnell, Kev George, S Hall, Alex Dale, Tiny Shorty Crutchley, Tony Seabridge, Jason Dodd, Paul Harthern and more!

In the changing rooms and the Old Boys are fighting to get a strip as numbers are quite limited, playing as they are in AFC's away colours.

The Game

Out to the pitch and that famous referee – Eric Cantona – aka Martyn Measures, promised we will have a clean, unbiased game. A very good crowd of spectators which grew to over 50 by the final whistle.

At the start, some off the language was quite ripe but luckily masked by the laboured breathing of some! Lots of attacking football. A free kick taken by Warren Baxter led to an attack by AFC. Lots of pressure on the Old Boys goal by Connor Baxter who is playing well.

Fifteen minutes in and a tackle as the Old Boys attack, and Simon Beach down, but play goes on as the ref plays advantage – and the Old Boys score. The injury, however, is very serious as Simon's leg is broken. I call 999 and both Ambulance and Air Ambulance arrive 15 minutes later.

Simon Beech off to Leighton – we all pray he will be OK as he gives a brave wave as he is taken away on the stretcher. (Audlem Online says: Our thanks to Simon Crump, Ro Wright and Ralph Warburton for the photos).

Game resumes with AFC losing 1-0. Pressure both ways and half time as ref blows up.

Second half

Play is back and forth but then a great solo shot by Jack Maclintoch and he scores a superb goal. Now 1-1!

It becomes clear that gradually the numbers playing for the Old Boys increases until we see 16 players on the field. AFC respond and all 13 of our come on. Very crowded – and at last MM, the ref, blows the final whistle!

Honours even at one goal each . Great atmosphere – soured of course by the accident to Simon Beach.

The Match: Lots of good banter – and not one booking! The rain arrives as a crowded car park gradually empties and all repair to the Lord C.

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