Sun Lifts Spirits – But not the Game

AUDLEM F C Match report April 17th

Here to begin the day as the sun rises over the long barn. Lighting up the vista of a hard frost – a frost that hurts the blossoms of the Magnolias. So sad this happens so often here in these Northern latitudes. Birds singing a tad more muted in the cold air. But hungry as ever for the feed, I put it out.

But a dry day in prospect – and the playing field in a good state and with a firm surface. Freshly marked out by Des Evans and the CE team. It was mown in the week. Paid for by us – The Football Club , for the benefit of all other users!

In my absence I have to report – sadly – that we leaked 17 goals with just one scored in the last two games. Perhaps this day will be less of a thrashing. Feels just like Aston Villa in a way, but we can reapply for re-election, should we end up as the strongest team once more – firmly sitting at the bottom of the pile.

We face the team from Faddiley with a referee named Paul Holbrook. Not seen him this year but we do hope that he will be both fair and firm – and not biased. We did have issues with one previous official which has prompted me to make an official complaint. I do not rush into such action, but this time we felt quite aggrieved.

Enough of negative thoughts. We have a fair turn out of players declaring themselves available for selection. Bolstered by even more new signings! Now close to 40 names on our team lists.

Kev Rodgers still banned – one more game to go. He has stepped up the plate these past weeks in drumming up players and listing the likely squad names. Geoff here in the village ready to set up the pitch, nets etc. And get the strip out in numerical order for the selected men.

Age range is 17 to over 40. Fast young legs teamed with wise heads. A good blend that should work well.

Glorious sunshine. That will create a problem for the eyes of the goalkeepers. But so welcome a heavenly light. Car park filling as folks arrive for Tennis, a Christening, and players. Plus all others Sunday users.

Surrounding trees in their spring green. Such bright young green. Bird song stronger now in the warm sunshine. Tennis players gathering for their match. Church Bells ringing out with such melody.

First half

Kick off sharp at 11.00.
We have 11 players on the pitch plus two subs. Regular goalkeeper away so Andrew" Beco" steps up once more to take the defence of our goal. A pity as he is our top scorer!

11.10. Appeal for hand ball against us. but Ref. denies the demand.
Fast and Furious is the play – perhaps the two sets of players realise just how few games are left now as the season comes to it's end. We have just 3 more games – 2 at home.

11.15. WE get a goal. A lucky one too as the ball trickles over the line after a melee. Dag Sirle the scorer. 1-0 !!
Black clouds gather and eat away at the warm sun as plary carries on at 100 mph.

11.30. They score 1-1.

11.40 They score yet again. 1-2 . Simple easy goal as our defence taken apart.

11.42 Set piece to them. A situation which is never good for us – and so it proves, as they score once more 1-3

Then just before the half time whistle, Trev McDowell gets a straight red card for a bad offence. Off he troops so now 10 men. Only signed on for us on the 13th! This on top of other yellow cards.
Half time whistle blown.

Second half .

What will it bring? What will be our bag at the end. 2 yellow cards and a red already and trailing 1-3.

11.54. We are awarded a penalty.
Dag Sirle scores yet again with a well struck shot from the hard to find spot. 2-3. A glimmer of hope in my heart, then....

11.56. they score, so easily. 2-4

11.59. yet another goes in 2-5. Such a stupid goal.

We change our keeper at Beco comes into open play and Kev Mort takes on the mantle of keeper.

12.01. They fire another in. Will it never end. 2-6 !!

Another thrashing.
Then lots of fire – wrongly directed – as Dag Sirle is sent off for anger and idiocy. Connor Jones is booked for his mouthing off.
We play our subs as James Bebbington and Sam "Nemo" Maddocks come on.

The last straw. Kyle Doughty booked for a nasty foul. We score so many cards. But hardly any goals.

What a poor exhibition of our play. It ends with well deserved victory for Faddiley. At 6 to our 2 goals. Referee hard but equally so for each side.
Next game is at home against Bank Corner on the 24th

Ralph Warburton
Audlem F C

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