Up against Boot & Shoe

Awake before dawn as concern grows for the marquee we had set up for LifeJam at The Lord C – for the expected wind was here – tail end of the threatened hurricane in mid Atlantic.

So there at 7.00am, taking it down – ahead of the rest of the team who had repaired to their beds in the early hours.

All virtually down by the time I had to leave at 9.30am for the coming match, the team now on hand and carrying on, sore heads or not. A successful charity night and day for Reuben Palin's Lifeboat appeal – close on £2000 raised.

It just shows what a superb community we have, more so when you realise that the population is below 2000!

A very blustery day with the pitch heavy with grass – in need of a final trim of the year. I will seek this from Cheshire East before we next play at home.

Our opponents are Boot & Shoe of Nantwich. They have been in existence for the past 25 years or more and as with all other teams, are above us in the league.

A slight panic as our referee arrives late after having take a wrong turn. So, with the leaves being blown hither and thither, we set off just after 11.00.

As we warmed up, a call from my team: "If we win today will I stand the first round". I say "Yes".

Car Park once again full to brimming, which is further evidence if it was needed of the great import to the village of securing this facility for all time.

Boot & Shoe playing in Fire Engine Red strip and looking quite beefy. Kev Mort in goal today as Jimmy banned.

Very lively start as the game moves to and fro, the wind playing a huge part in the game and the clouds now coming over to blot out the very low sun.

Boot & Shoe header saved by Kev. Play frantic with many misplaced kicks from both sides. Strength of wind increasing and swirling about. (So glad we got the marquees down in time.)
11.20 and first corners of the game to them. No gain.

Then, as I think we are playing so well, they score a very lucky goal.
0-1.
B&S management very vociferous in their calls for offside after offside!
11.25 and our first corner. In comes the kick, and lo and behold, Kev Rodgers scores a fine goal with a fierce shot.
1-1. Happy days.
Good run by Graham Brown nearly comes off.
Temperature dropping from the highs of Saturday as the wind gathers more strength.
11.40. Then a stupid so soft – and very lucky goal for B&S.
1-2.
Great strike by Joe Overland (who is having a excellent game) parried and he follows up with an attacking header.
Graham Brown booked for verbals as yet another penalty (?) denied us.
Half time whistle

Second Half

Kick off at 11.51. What low sun there is now in the eyes of the opponent's goalie. Two successive corners to us followed by a strike up field by them – and in truth they should have scored.
One of their players booked for a blatant tug on a passing shirt.

As I write my notes, two young boys playing kick about by the side of me. Stephen Simpson (14) and Jake Carter(12). The foot work is very good and that of young Stephen of a very, very high standard. I hope we can sign them up when they reach 16.
Wind now hitting us from over the cemetery.
Shot by Andrew (Becko) Betteley saved. Gets us a corner.
Free kick against us for hand ball. Just outside the area. Regulation ten paces taken by the Ref. (No foam yet in our Sunday League) .
Great shot over the wall but Kev saves with his left foot.
B&S playing the offside game all the time, and then another stupid goal – again so lucky for them.
1-3, at 12.20.
Shot by Becko hits the bar.
Then, a strange thing as Kev Mort in goal swaps shirts with Gary Jones and plays outfield. Ref happy with this. Never ever seen such a thing.

Final whistle and lady luck was not with us this day. We are playing better and not running out of puff as we were early in the season. But no first round of beer from me!

Next week away to Salvador at Wrenbury.
Man of the Match – Kev Rodgers for his play, his goal and that he did not get booked!

Ralph Warburton
Chairman

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