So close against Haslington

I help Geoff, our joint manager, with kit and set up of the field. As we do so, having to fork the cemetery end goal mouth and fill in holes left by pets – holes that could seriously damage an ankle – we note that the car park is quite empty.

As such perhaps because the walkers are busy with Mothering Sunday. Quite a few folks make their visit to the cemetery to place flowers on Mums no longer here. And there, riding her new bike – for her 7th birthday, is little Ella Carter of Audlem. Proudly riding her new machine with Dad running alongside. They agreed to have her photo included to lighten up my match report.

So, the game. Weather fine and calm. Fluffy white clouds. Patches of clear blue sky. Birds singing sweetly as nesting builds apace.

My head a tad tied after a hectic two days. I flew to Denmark on Friday – caught a train to Sweden. Had dinner with my granddaughter, Willow – studying over there into beating cancer of the breast. Then train back to Denmark and fly back to Luton on the Saturday.

Now back to earth with a bump as we get ready to ply Haslington team. Referee is Des Evans, head referee of the Sunday league. A fair but firm ref.

Have to sign up a keeper as we have none today, otherwise 15 players in all to get a team together.

Kick Off

11.00am and we kick off sharp as the bells of St James' fall silent. Sun is warm as it peeps out from the clouds. We win the toss so put their goalie with the sun in his eyes.
Players keen to play. So many games cancelled to date. Haslington play hard and in 5 minutes they strike – just over the bar.

11.06. A fantastic long range lob by Sam O'Hara and he scores for us. What a good start. Kyle Doughty playing so well in defence, is fouled very nastily. Ref books their number 8 who is also named Kyle! Going to be nasty blood between them. Then, blow me down, they score as our new "goalkeeper ' lets the ball in.

Off we set again, but opponents much in our half. Both sides very vocal and with some quite ripe language. Game quite passionate. Kyle and Kev Mort superb in defence. Then a strike by Haslington. Goalie gets the ball but throws it into our net. A fumble? Or just daft! Leaves me totally gobsmacked. What an error.

Time, 11.26 and we are behind 1-2.
A great run by Beko feeds a shot in and Sam scores with a fine header .
2-2! Playing with lots of heart
Then we concede again. They score. 2-3

Second half fast and furious. So much colder now as clouds build and sun hides away. Fingers very cold.
We get a penalty. Graham Brown scores.
3-3.
Then, just before the end, they get a penalty. Final score 3-4

We came so near to winning. Getting better.
Next week at home again. Playing Nantwich Young Farmers team

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