PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

NUMBER ONE

JOLLY CARTER F.C.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA! Two weeks after the cold and windy night when Thomas Macklin had sent a msg via sms to Ric Murphy, (asking in desperation whether Ric would put in the work to make the team they had often talked about a reality), the hard work had been put in and for the first time the initial squad pulled on an orange kit to play in front of a capacity crowd of SEVENTEEN! The cocky Jolly Carter (formerly the Waterloo) stood in the way of a victory. A couple of lovely corners from Ric and Gaz brought the crowd to their feet and nearly gave Jon Neary a heart attack as he realised the ball had come off him, twice in 10 minutes, to give AFC an early 2-0 lead. An innocuous goal gave the opposition hope, but the introduction of Jamie Holt immediately had an effect when he was brought down in the box. With Neary on a hat-trick there was confusion about who should take the spot kick. Ric Murphy stepped up in his captain’s role and coolly slotted home whilst the keeper was momentarily distracted by a passing fly. Macklin tapped in a 4^th to round off a resounding victory and a great start for United.

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Mike Williams

Dave Woods

Jon Neary                    2          * Man of the Match

Ian Cropper

Carl Lutkevitch

Rick Bellis                    *

Lee Wilson

Gaz Brooks

Rick Murphy (capt.)     1 (pen)

Tom Macklin                1

Darren Jones               

Jamie Holt

AFC UNITED             4          -           1          JOLLY CARTER

Neary 2                       

                        Murphy

                        Macklin

* = GREAT GAME 

DP = DIDN’T PLAY

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

NUMBER TWO

AINSWORTH ARMS

A real test for AFC in their second game of the pre-season against a team newly promoted into the Prem. Under a minute Macklin crossed for Murphy who once again coolly slotted the ball home from an impossible angle. However the Ainsworth Arms came back and with fluid passing movements of a team who have played together for 7 years they stamped their authority and duly equalised. AFC were chasing the game but showing great determination they continued to look dangerous and Lee Wilson was put through by Macklin and slotted home emphatically. The Ainsworth Arms though continued to make openings and equalised again through a very dodgy penalty decision. However driven on by a superb Rick Bellis AFC dug deep and with challenges flying in, United were beginning to look the stronger. With less than 5 minutes left Macklin was superbly placed to tap in the winner for a great victory. With a great victory came a new signing in the form of Ciaran Cusack who had originally been in the crowd after being asked to sign for the Ainsworth Arms, but he saw the potential in AFC and requested a trial. Oh and even a bribe from Macklin cannot make me not mention his (offside) open net miss from two yards!

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Dave Woods

Ben Robinson

Jon Neary

Ian Cropper

Carl Lutkevitch

Rick Bellis                          * Man of the Match

Mike Treanor

Gaz Brooks                        *

Tom Macklin                      1          *

Rick Murphy (capt.)           1

Lee Wilson             1          *

Jamie Holt

Darren Jones                      dp

AFC UNITED       3          -           2          AINSWORTH ARMS

                  Murphy

                  Macklin

                  Wilson

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY!?!

NUMBER THREE

JOLLY CARTER F. C.

Even after being well beaten two weeks earlier, the Jolly Carter were adamant it was a fluke and wanted to play us again with their weaker (real) team…stupid twats! Rumours in the media were that they asked for a replay because they had heard of the horrific training ground injury suffered by Ric Murphy (AFC’s monumental midfielder) but these reports are still unconfirmed.

      The captain’s role was temporarily handed over to Gaz Brooks who welcomed his new role with two great goals, one a superb free kick. Macklin added another goal to make it an impressive 3 goals in 3 games, and Jamie Holt got off to a scoring start after a couple of uncharacteristic misses. The new midfield of Bellis and Cusack looked solid, and this gave the opportunity for Mike Treanor to have a magnificent game at left back and score a tremendous goal. A definite candidate for Man of the Match and may have collected the award had it not been for Ian Cropper who had such a brilliant first half before his injury that he was a worthy winner. Cropper’s electric change of pace and direction was too much for his over-worked legs and he crumbled in agony onto the floor. Although reports on Match of the Day rumoured that tears came to the big man’s eyes, these cannot be verified due to the camera’s being centred on the approaching female physio’s particularly nice pert bottom. A special mention must go to Wanker of the Week Mike Williams who was blissfully unaware that a goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball, put it down, and then pick it up again! Another special mention must go to James Towey’s tremendously poor refereeing; however we were continuously told that he was doing it as a favour!

TEAM

Jimmy Mcmahon

Mike Williams

Carl Lutkevitch

Paul Bisset

Mike Treanor                     *          1

Ian Cropper (capt.)            * Man of the Match

Ciaran Cusack

Rick Bellis                          *

Gaz Brooks                        *          2         

Tom Macklin                      *          1

Lee Wilson

Darren Jones

Jamie Holt                          1

James Donelly

AFC UNITED             5          -           2          JOLLY CARTER

                        Brooks 2

                        Macklin

                        Treanor

                        Holt

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER ONE

WESTDENE – AWAY

As I was away burning to death in the sun, I hand over to Gaz Brooks and Gemma Cockley for the match report! AFC United were about to kick off their season, but with 7 players from the starting 11 away on international duties. With the players available everyone knew it was going to be a very long and hard 90 minutes against an established Westdene team. Due to some poor defence and goalkeeper communication Westdene found themselves 2-0 up very early on in the game. Within 30 minutes gone in the first half AFC began to play some good football and started to trouble Westdene’s defence. That lead to AFC’s first ever league goal scored from the spot by Gary Brooks. No mistakes straight down the middle with great power (you can see who wrote this match report!), the keeper seemed to whimper out of the save (the AFC crowd believing he didn’t want to mess up his hair). Not long before half time, with a delightful long free kick from Cropper, Gary Brooks made a challenging header, which fell again to his head, but the defender beat him to it to knock it past his own keeper, delightful!!! AFC found themselves drawing at half time. Early on in the second half the Westdene strikers put major pressure on the AFC defence. AFC found themselves playing 2 up front and everyone else behind the ball. These tactics didn’t work as Westdene scored 2 quick goals. One appeared to be offside, the other a goalkeeping mistake which saw the ball looping over his head and going into the top corner. Williams must have been embarrassed because he made a few cracking saves after his awful mistake. Goal number 5 for Westdene was a lucky one! 10 minutes before time the ball crossed over from the right, a striker got between Berry and Cropper, shot for goal forcing another good save from Williams, which came back off the post and onto the strikers head and into the back of the net to make it 5-2. Central midfielder Robinson and left back Donelly then decided they’d had enough and bust the Westdene captain’s nose twice. The final whistle sounded; AFC were beaten but the players that were there were confident with the big guns back they would hammer Westdene at home later in the season.

TEAM

Mike Williams  * Man of the Match

Dave Woods                *

James Donelly              *

Ian Cropper (capt.)      *

Paul Berry

Darren Jones

Lee Wilson                   *

Ben Robinson

Gary Brooks                1          *

James Mcmahon

Jamie Holt                   

WESTDENE               5          -           2          AFC UNITED

                                                                                                G. Brooks

                                                                                                O. G. 

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER TWO

MAJOR RAMSBOTTOM – AWAY

Having already dropped points the big guns returned and a greatly changed side got off to a superb start. Wearing the brand new blue Umbro kit, Gaz Brooks scored an unbelievable free kick to make it 1-0 early on. The spoilt Rammy boys weren’t enjoying playing a better team and although AFC struggled to get the ball down and get there passing game going, they dominated. Totally against the run of play the Major equalised, capping on indecision in the United defence. The game soon began to get scrappy with Cusack, Bellis, and Lutkevitch undeservedly picking up bookings. Macklin added a second goal, which can not really be described as a deft flick, but it did take the game to the Rammy team. They responded well and some great saves from Jimmy Mcmahon kept AFC in the game. They eventually equalised from a good free kick which Jimmy superbly saved but which unluckily fell to their gay striker. AFC sprung into action and Lee Wilson scored a cracking goal and Jamie Holt tapped in a 4^th to give United breathing space in their first win of the season! However the fact that Jimmy had won the Man of the Match award between the sticks showed that work needed to be done.

TEAM

James Mcmahon           * Man of the Match                             

Carl Lutkevitch             Booked

Jon Neary (capt.)         *

Ian Cropper                 *

Mike Treanor              

Tom Macklin                1

Rick Bellis                    *          Booked

Ciaran Cusack              *          Booked

Gaz Brooks                  1

Lee Wilson                   1          *

Jamie Holt                    1

Subs:

Dave Woods                dp

Paul Berry                    dp

James Donelly              dp

Derek Boote                dp

THE MAJOR (RAMMY)        2          -           4          AFC UNITED

                                                                                                Macklin

                                                                                                G. Brooks

                                                                                                Wilson

                                                                                                Holt

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER THREE

DUKE OF WELLINGTON – HOME

The pitch looked a bit uneven and patchy for the first home game of the season. The fact that Denzel didn’t even turn up meant that AFC struggled to warm up properly already putting them on the back foot. Paul Berry filled in for the absent Cusack, who was skydiving for charity, and with United’s injury list getting longer with Jamie Holt undergoing surgery on his shoulder, AFC’s team faced changes. New signing Derek Boote made his debut on the left side of midfield. United struggled early on, being put under immense pressure and went 1-0 down early on through a defensive mix up. Against the run of play Gaz Brooks brilliantly flicked the ball over the keepers head to make it 1-1. Man of the Match Paul Berry and Rick Bellis began to grab hold of midfield. Bellis scored a great half volley to make it 2-1 but again the Duke came back and equalised. Jimmy Mcmahon was again instrumental with two, yes two, penalty saves to keep AFC in the game. Treanor again was having a great game, beginning to enjoy his new role at left back, but it was the Duke who were applying the pressure. Changes were needed and the team was shifted about with Macklin moving upfront alongside Gaz. This made the difference and with minutes left Macklin skipped past three challenges and raced on to place the ball past the oncoming keeper. Saved at the death AFC recorded their 2^nd victory in a row.

TEAM

James Mcmahon           *

Carl Lutkevitch

Jon Neary (capt.)

Ian Cropper

Mike Treanor               *

Paul Berry                    * Man of the Match

Rick Bellis                    1          *

Tom Macklin                1

Derek Boote

Lee Wilson

Gaz Brooks                  1          *

Subs:

Mike Williams

James Donelly              dp

Ben Robinson

AFC UNITED             3          -           2          DUKE OF WELLINGTON

            G. Brooks

            Bellis

            Macklin

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER FOUR

AFC ELTON – AWAY

The late kick off and the fact that the referee didn’t turn up just added to the problems facing United against a much weaker Elton team. Jon Neary’s birthday had taken it’s toll, leaving him unavailable, and the rumour that Lee Wilson had dropped 17 E’s the night before just added to the selection crisis. Cusack had discovered that he had torn his calf in two places to add to their woes. Heavily under-strength AFC were still determined, but after going 2 goals behind quite quickly in the game the AFC fans were hardly in great voice. Some shocking refereeing decisions and AFC’s refusal to get the ball down meant that at half time they were looking all but beaten. The changes were made in the second half and AFC began to show the determination they had displayed pre-season. Elton looked rattled and on the back foot, and Macklin took advantage with a brilliant run and finish to bring a goal back. However after an awkward fall by Rick Bellis, although the midfield maestro tried to continue, hospital treatment was needed. Lutkevitch filled in the midfield role and he drove the team on superbly. A goal was bound to come as United swarmed over a tired Elton team looking the much poorer team that they were. With minutes left Lutkevitch picked up the ball in the AFC half and rounding 3 players unleashed a ferocious unstoppable shot into the top corner for the equaliser. Elton nearly got another before the final whistle but it would’ve been totally undeserved. Lutkevitch reigned supreme, but still the feeling remained that it was 2 valuable points lost against a poor Elton team.

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Mike Treanor               *

Ian Cropper (capt.)

Paul Berry

Ben Robinson

Carl Lutkevitch 1          * Man of the Match

Rick Bellis

Tom Macklin                1          *

Derek Boote

Gaz Brooks

Lee Wilson

Subs:

Dave Woods

Darren Jones

James Donelly              dp

AFC ELTON               2          -           2          AFC UNITED

                                                                                                Macklin

                                                                                                Lutkevitch

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER FIVE

GOATS GATE – AWAY

Coming into the game with the Goats Gate, the United squad was heavily deflated by injuries. With Rick Bellis, Jamie Holt, Rick Murphy, and Ciaran Cusack all out, the captain Jon Neary away, and others suffering from knocks, two new signings were brought in to freshen up the squad. Vinny Crooks took his place on the bench, still not match fit, and ex-Rochdale striker Nathan Brooks was brought in to help with the midfield crisis. AFC started brightly playing some of the nicest two-touch football they’d displayed this season. However, after a good start they were rocked after a terrible error by Ben Robinson filling in at right back presented their striker with an easy finish. 1-0 down but still looking quite strong AFC applied the pressure and equalised through a well placed header from Gaz Brooks. At half time the scores were even and AFC fancied their chances in the second half. Darren Jones replaced Des on the left and his good run and cross was superbly tucked away by Nathan Brooks. However quite quickly the Goats Gate came back and some awful defensive mix-ups and individual errors, namely by the usually unflappable Mcmahon resulted in 3 quick goals for the opposition which left them looking flattered by a 4-2 result at full time, but nevertheless they ran out deserving winners overall. It had been a bad day for United a week before they face the league leaders.

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Mike Treanor              

Ian Cropper (capt.)

Paul Berry

Ben Robinson

Derek Boote

Carl Lutkevitch

Nathan Brooks 1

Tom Macklin

Gaz Brooks                  1

Lee Wilson

Subs:

Mike Williams  dp

Vinny Crooks

Darren Jones

James Donelly              dp

GOATS GATE            4          -           2          AFC UNITED

                                                                                                G. Brooks

                                                                                                N. Brooks

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER SIX

1853 STAND CC – HOME

Lying 6 points behind the top of the table team Stand coming into the game we knew this one would be a tough game. A new look 4-5-1 formation meant that it would be hard for them to break us down, and with tough 2 footed tackles and some bottom pinching from Gaz ,and some lovely skills from new multi million pound signing Chris Healey, the midfield was controlling the game. AFC displayed some slick passing moves and nearly took the lead when Nathan Brooks hit the inside of the post. Minutes later Gaz beautifully chipped Stand’s keeper but also unluckily hit the post. At last after dominating possession Nathan Brooks stabbed home from a corner to open the deadlock. With AFC comfortably in control, against the run of play a defensive mix-up left Stand’s striker clean through to equalise and send United in at the break at 1-1. A stirring team talk at half time enraged the belief in the United team and they came out second half firing on all cylinders. Gradually Stand began to find their rhythm, but AFC held strong, Man of the Match Paul Berry instrumental in winning every 50-50. Lee Wilson replaced Des Boote and immediately made an impact by placing the ball through for Healey to run onto. He then expertly slid the ball through to Macklin who side-footed the ball under the keeper to make it 4 goals in 5 league games for the youngster, who is yet to sign professional terms. Stand tried to come back into the game and did hit the post but AFC defended superbly, and as the away team tired AFC looked much the more dangerous of the two giants. As the final whistle went Stand just looked relieved the game had ended. Great win for AFC as they climb upto 4^th and just 3 points behind the league leaders.

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Carl Lutkevitch *

Ian Cropper                 *

Jon Neary (capt.)         *

Mike Treanor               *

Derek Boote

Tom Macklin                1

Chris Healey                 *

Paul Berry                    * Man of the Match

Gaz Brooks                 

Nathan Brooks 1          *

Subs:

Mike Williams  dp

Ben Robinson               dp

Dave Woods                dp       

James Donelly              dp

Lee Wilson

AFC UNITED             2          -           1          1853 STAND CC

                        Macklin

N. Brooks

LEAGUE GAME

NUMBER SEVEN

BAY HORSE – AWAY

With the top two also playing we needed a win coming into the game against a side heavily in the relegation zone. AFC started brightly but the strikers were caught offside on numerous occasions. However after 15 minutes Nathan Brooks broke the offside trap and placed the ball passed the keeper from a tight angle. With the deadlock broken AFC looked to extend their lead. Brooks again was the scorer this time beautifully controlling a through ball from Macklin and with the keeper coming out he turned and caressed the ball over the keeper and defender scrambling to get back to make it 2-0 at half time. Lutkevitch broke through but almost hit the corner flag with only the keeper to beat. At half time Macklin was moved up front and immediately made an impact. He rushed on to a great through ball from Treanor breaking the offside trap and neatly placed the ball passed the oncoming keeper. With AFC dominating a lack of communication between Cropper and AFC’s keeper Mcmahon led to the Bay’s striker placing into an open net to make it 3-1.  However, AFC knew they were in command and again they asserted their authority as Macklin chested down a great cross from Des who had replaced Wilson, and on the half volley Macklin fired into the bottom corner. Minutes later Macklin turned provider to place the ball through for Nathan who calmly rounded the keeper to make it 5-1. It gave him his hat-trick, to make it a phenomenal 5 goals in 3 games since his debut. With AFC cruising, Mcmahon was replaced by Woods between the sticks and he unfortunately was immediately beaten by a lucky lob where the midfield was at fault for not closing him down. However Woods reconciled with a few good saves later in the game. At 5-2 AFC showed great resilience at still being hungry for more and after a typically crunching tackle by Ben Robinson in the middle of the park the Bay’s defence split an Robinson ran the length of their half unchallenged an calmly placed into the bottom corner. With AFC firing on all cylinders Macklin collected the ball outside the edge of the area from a Gaz Brooks corner and rifled the ball past the helpless keeper. A tremendous goal and a definite shout for goal of the season. It also rounded off his hat-trick since moving up-front to partner Nathan, who had worked superbly together, and made it 7 goals in 6 games for the wonderkid! With already one Brooks on the scoresheet, Gaz Brooks although suffering from fitness problems showed his class, with an unstoppable strike from 35 yards that wickedly swerved at the last minute and almost broke the net, reminiscent of Batistuta’s amazing strike at Old Trafford past Fabien Barthez a couple of years before. With 15 minutes to go Donelly was brought on for Gaz Brooks to a standing ovation after a few weeks off on holiday to calm his nerves! Within minutes his inclusion had a major influence. He came deep to receive the ball off the incredible Paul “the Machine” Berry who’d had another brilliant game, Donelly quickly turned deceiving two defenders. He rounded another defender with ease before teasing the keeper out of his net and then unselfishly passing to Nathan Brooks who superbly chipped the keeper. With the ball bouncing into the empty net the crowd urged Donelly to round off the superb move and grinning he smashed the ball into the goal and his momentum carried him into a tangle in the netting as the AFC team mobbed their new hero! With minutes left the impressive Donelly was lucky not to be sent off for an off the ball shove on a Bay Horse defender which sent him sprawling. Altogether a resounding 9-2 victory to send AFC into 3^rd place in the division!

TEAM

James Mcmahon

Mike Treanor

Ian Cropper                 *

Jon Neary (capt.)         *

Carl Lutkevitch *

Lee Wilson

Paul Berry                    *

Ben Robinson               1          *

Gaz Brooks                  1

Tom Macklin                3          * Man of the Match

Nathan Brooks 3          *

Subs:

Dave Woods                *

James Donelly              1          *

Des Boote                    *

AFC UNITED             9          -           2          BAY HORSE

                        Macklin 3

                        N. Brooks 3

                        Robinson

                        G. Brooks

                        Donelly

AFC UNITED’S TOP SCORERS

1.      TOM MACKLIN            7

2.      NATHAN BROOKS       5

3.      GAZ BROOKS                5

* Doesn’t include pre-season

THE TOP OF DIVISION 3

	TEAM			PLD	W	D	L	F	A	PTS	GD
1	WESTDENE			6	5	1	0	23