Tough home match for AFC

I arrive to a car park seething with cyclists, their cars, their marshals motorcycle outriders, their support vehicles and ambulances. Some 120 riders are here for races around the area.

On bikes with an average cost of £3500 = £420,000 worth of machines. All in this wonderful village – yet another jewel in its crown.

Very impressive – but I have to get some cars off the playing area! We do not need that as well as strong opposition.

And talking of that, we again face Wistaston in a sort of Ground Hog Day – we played them last Sunday in the Cup round , and lost 5-2.

Full cloud cover as we gather for the team photo. Taken expertly by Phil Baker who is always willing to step up to the plate.
For the squad we have just 12 players. So sad that we do not seem able to field more from which to choose our best side for the day. So no big discussions. So very frustrating.

The Referee – Jordan Batho – first time he has officiated here. Pitch rock hard. No rain for such a long time. We warm up in the side we normally allow for the visitors . Mind games.

10.58. We line up for the whistle to the lovely bells of St James. Off we go. Full of heart.

Jimmy in goal giving vent to much encouragement in his broad Irish accent. We attack furiously in a new formation: 1/3/5/2 . We shall see what effect this has. Huge need to mark out their chief play maker, number 10. A very clever player.

Much shouting as Jimmy and Gary Jones giving forth. Free kick given away by us – driven wide. We get a corner at the other end. No result and they charge back at us – and wham bang – so soft a goal!
11.12. 0-1!

Wistaston really strong in their attack with good on the floor passing. 5 minutes later, we are down again.
0-2.
Some comfort that the sun is out and it is warmer. Two minutes more and bang!
0-3.
Then
0-4!!!!

Carnage as we are torn apart. So much for the new line up!
Skipper Kev Mort moves up front. Play stops as Montezuma's revenge takes a hold of one of our players – just back from Mexico.

We resume. "Too Easy" comes the cry from Gary Jones. He is so right.

Half Time

Another of our players caught short so slight delay to the restart. Bright sunshine now as we play to the tennis club end. Super ball by Sam O'Hara to Kev Mort. Tipped away for a corner to us. Voices quieter now.

A scrambler in our goalmouth, and....
0-5!
Sub played as Jim Davies comes on fir Rob Lowe. Ref. has to talk to skippers as tempers rise a tad. No bookings.

In spite of the score, we do play with more heart in this more traditional line up. Some good ball control but sadly....
0-6
To many cries of "offside."
Then, as we get tired,
0-7!

I am there on the touchline, young Max Youle by my side. Bright, articulate young fellow. Man Utd Supporter. We have a handshake bet on who will finish highest, Liverpool or Untied. He then says: "Audlem look like Argentina in their shirts. But they are not!". Such perception from one so young.

We troop off . Another defeat and we continue to prop up the whole division.
Man of the Match – for good committed play – Joe Overland.

Next game on 21st September at Crewe F C.

Ralph Warburton
Chairman AFC

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