Chesterfield Sunday League Division 3. Silver Birches F.C...2 AFC Walton....5.
AFC Walton kicked off a NEW chapter in thier 7 year history today, at Tupton Hall School, in a TOP OF THE TABLE clash with second placed Silver Birches. With thier most successful manager Benny gone, having resigned in midweek, it was Player Manager Chris Bettney who took up team affairs, and named his first competetive side. It was a chance for AFC to put a massive SIX clear points between them and serious Championship contenders Silver Birches.
It was the hosts who had the first chance to draw blood, winning a free kick on 2 mins, but Furniss was on his mettle, claiming the ball comfortably. Spencer then flung in a trademark long throw that Mitchell controlled well, but his effort was well saved. On 12 mins a free kick swung in by Bettney found Paul Walton, but his progress was halted by an offside flag. Danny Mason went close with a header moments later, following a strong run by Brown, who then played in Lee Walton to cross he ball, but he couldnt climb high enough, and his effort sailed over. There was a contraversial moment on 15 mins, a free kick by Mitchell rebounded across the 6 yard box to an unmarked Danny Mason, who fired home, but again the Linesmans flag interviened, and the "goal" was chalked off. This didnt seem to impede AFC who were playing with great spirit and freedom. Silver Birches went close on 22 mins, a defence splitting pass saw Furniss make a great well timed challenge to thwart the well placed strikers effort.
The visitors took a well deserved lead just short of the half hour, Lytham adding a cheeky back heel flick, to a fine ball played into his path, and MITCHELL smashing a 25 yard drive home, leaving the keeper grasping fresh air. They doubled thier lead just 3 mins later, Lee Walton finding LYTHAM, and the on form hitman did the rest for 2-0. AFC were in control at this point, forcing the hosts on the defensive for long periods. Spencer went close on 40 mins, very nearly beggining and ending the move, he took one of his long throws, the ball then, was somehow returned to him 20 yards out, and his fine effort crashed unluckilly into the side netting. On 42 mins Lee Waltons good work sadly came to nothing, as the ball ran away from him and the keeper saved. Silver Birches grabbed a lifeline on 44 mins, AFC failed to clear thier lines just outside the 18 yard box, spurning several chances to clear the danger, the ball fell kindly for the Birches striker, and he took full advantage, giving Furniss no chance. Unforunatly for the hosts, the hard work came to nothing just seconds later, a superb run up the wing by Brown, saw him beat his marker before pinging in a fine cross that the keeper fumbled, before dropping straight into the path of LYTHAM, and he doesnt miss "gifts" like that, prodding the ball home. HALF TIME Silver Birches F.C...1 AFC Walton...3.
Birches went straight for the spectacular just into the 2nd period, a shot from out on the wing went way, way over the net to safety. On 50 mins the hosts keeper superbly tipped away a fine Lytham effort as AFC pushed forward again. They went close again on 52 mins after good work by Mitchell saw Lytham attempt a spectacular over head kick that fell to Brown, but he put his chance wide. A long range effort by Birches then flew well wide on 54 mins, and at the other end seconds later, a lofted ball to the back post by Paul Walton, saw the keeper punch clear as far as Lee Walton, who pulled his shot wide. Just before the hour mark Lytham bore down on the Birches goal, before firing across the keeper and agonisingly wide of the far post.
On the hour the returning Dean Brown took to the field, replacing Danny Mason for his first game in a month. On 65 mins Megyesi was inches from hitting the target, heading a Mitchell corner just over. It was end to end stuff now as both teams carved out chances, but both sets of players tiring on the heavy pitch. Paul Walton gave way to bring on Martyn Higginbottom to shore up the AFC defence, and he soon made his mark with a fine saving tackle. On 77 mins, great work again saw Danny Brown pick out Lytham, but he put the chance over. That turned out to be the strikers last contribution, as Bettney made his final switch bringing on Wright to go up front to partner Mitchell. It took him just 2 mins to impose himself on the game, on 81 mins he put over a fine cross after Goodwin had played him in up the touchline, for MITCHELL to prod the loose ball home. The hosts then grabbed a way back into the game on 85 mins, Furniss tipped over a rasping 20 yard drive for a corner, but from the resulting kick Bettney inadvertantly headed the ball home for an unfortunate own goal.
The game then took a slightly nasty turn with just 3 mins remaining, a bad tackle on Dean Brown saw both players face each other up. The Referee immediatly gave Brown a Straight Red Card and the Silver Birches miscreant his second yellow also leading to his dismissal. When things calmed down Birches went close again before BROWN wrapped up the game, and the points latching onto another Wright pass before firing past the keeper. FINAL SCORE Silver Birches F.C...2 AFC Walton.....5 (MOTM Jez Mitchell) another 2 goal salvo for the striker who has netted 113 goals in just 56 appearances.
