Football Update

AFC Update – Match Report

As I set myself down to report to all on the very first game of the 2021/2022 season I muse on this . In many drives of houses that I visit, there is a wealth of pea gravel , flint stones and the like leading from the front gate. All such material was formed when this planet of ours -- which we as humans are fast ruining , especially over these past 130 years or so and when the Industrial Age really gathered momentum -- Is irreplaceable and the taking of such material from beaches and pits will one day denude all the source. A big thought to consider . Those stones, that gravel etc, all as old as time !

And we just crunch our way over them -- without a thought . I leave that with you.

But. I digress far away for the main issue at hand

The Match. The Game . That wonderful game. Football .

Played it for away versus a team with a swashbuckling name -- The Nantwich Pirates . On the Barony pitches .Let us hope that we can withstand their broadside and take no prisoners !

Referee David Bloor

Our superb manager Kev Mort has a good turn out of players for this opening match . A good problem to have to contend with .

Kick off well to time. Sun and light breeze across the open area . A great big area in the centre of the town and one that is such a benefit for dog walkers as well as those seeking sport. Broken down skate board unit to be refurbished soon. The success of this at Tokyo has fired up the desire to get it all going here.

First moments of the game -- the usual. Loads of testosterone evident in both sides as all rush to and fro seeking a chink in the two defences .

Great determined run down the left side of the pitch by Nick Gregory gives a hint of good things to come from him . Fires his shot but goalie palms it away for a corner. No gain .

Throw in taken by James Craig -- his superb long throws -- but cleared away by defenders.

( Kev Mort, our manager , receives a May Day call and has to rush away to go home.

Emma our physio and John our trainer both in attendance .

1104

Lovely kick by Nick Gregory sails over the bar .

We are dominating most of the play

1107

Corner to us. But no gain.

1110

Connor Baxter in goal pulls of a fine brave save at the feet of an attacker.

1115

Ref.give card to Bowker for his voice and he is sin binned for ten minutes .

Another fine chance to score but shot goes wide .

1122

A super throw in by Andrew Beco Betteley to Nick Gregory -- who aims and scores.

1-0 and we are ahead .

1125

Bowker back on the field of play. So back to 11 players .

1127

Jack Walsh, racing in , shoots but his shot hits the cross bar with a big thwack.

We are bossing the play well

Kev Mort returns. All Is OK .

Shot from Paul Bowker -- just goes wide

Kev Rodgers on fire as he puts down a superb run up field . Throw in taken -- again by James Craig -- met by Nick G again , and he scores beautifully .

2-0

Then. Handbags , pushing and shoving. Result . Callum Mese is booked . Long lectures by the Ref. And then we resume .

Free kick taken by James Craig . No gain . Opponents trying hard to rile up Callum to try to get him sent off.

Solo run upfield by Nick G . His shot goes wide . Nick is so hungry for goals .

Half Time whistle

Good buzz as players take on water and hear guidance from John and from Kev.

My youngest son, Christopher arrives on his bike as he rides to shop at Sainsbury's. Good to see him.

1206

Seb Burrows now on the pitch, sends a great ball to Paul Bowker -- who shoots over the bar .

1210

Nantwich Pirates really slowing down as they tire . We continue to boss the game. In truth we should have been 4 up by now .

Fast run BT Nick G, met by James Craig who feeds to Beco -- who skies it over the bar.

1220

Beco shoots again but just misses.

1125

Free kick to us . James takes It but no gain

1230

Shot by NantwIch heads fir goal, but Thomas Capewell, our skipper saves off the line . Phew.

Super cross by Seb Burrows -- but no one there to meet it .

Ben Walker on as well as Alex James . Toni Sinstadt , just on -- in a tiff and throws his dummy out of the pram and walks off and away to the changing room. Not very good at all .

Callum Mese replaces him , as he comes on again. Races up field -- and scores !

3-0

All over now. A great way to start the new season .

No injuries . Man of the Match -- Nick Gregory !

Some of us back to Williston Club for beer and hot dogs , arranged by our secretary

Rachel Anderson who , having been out on the tiles until the early hours celebrating her birthday, has kept up her fullsome support all the game .

Next game is at home versus Crewe &Nantwich United . Hopefully the Audlem playing field will have been mown and lined in the week

Ralph Warburton

Audlem F C

Repast will be at the Rifle Man Pub nearby.

Not for me as I am off for X-rays on lower back problem at 1430 .