AFC West End 2-2 AFC Golden Eagle

Following the disappointed of losing in midweek AFC were given an immediate chance to get back to winning ways with another home game, this time they took on AFC Golden Eagle. The match marked the beginning of a new era with manager John Purdy arriving in Lincoln to take charge officially for the first time.

West End went behind but again managed to get themselves into the ascendance with goals from the prolific Ady Gray, heading home from Joe Harper’s free kick. Followed shortly after by Sam McDonnell who managed to divert Paul Crampton’s cross goal header inside the far post.

Sadly West End were unable to hold onto their lead after a contentious free kick was nodded past the otherwise excellent Christian Sales. FT 2-2

AFC West End – Christian Sales, Dan Arden (James Whittingham), Stephen Pearce, Tom Cole, Ady Gray, Dave Capps (James Dewhurst), Mike O’Keeffe, Paul Crampton, Rich Dungworth (Harry Rickels), Joe Harper, Sam McDonnell

MotM – Christian Sales
DotD – Joe Harper

AFC West End 2-3 Wagon & Horses Branston

With a win and a draw from their first two games hopes were high as AFC returned to the West Common the play their now customary midweek September game as they took on early pacesetters Wagon & Horses Branston. West End made two changes with Christian Sales returning in goal and Pally Dhindsa taking the place of Dan Arden at full back.

AFC fell behind early but were level at the break thanks to a neat finish by Rob Davies. In the second half West End conceded two goals that put the game beyond their reach, first Pally Dhindsa was unlucky to turn a cross into his own net, and later West End failed to clear their lines before the ball was lashed past Christian Sales. Debutant substitute James Burns scored late on but AFC could have no argument with the eventual outcome. FT 2-3

AFC West End – Christian Sales, Pally Dhindsa, Stephen Pearce, Tom Cole, Ady Gray, Dave Capps (Paul Crampton), Mike O’Keeffe, Rob Davies, Rich Dungworth, Sam McDonnell (Dan Hill), Jack McDonnell (James Burns)

MotM – Christian Sales
DotD – Pally Dhindsa

Welton S&SC Res 4-0 AFC West End

Welton Walk Over Woeful West End

AFC West End were dumped out of the Fred Quibell Junior Cup by an impressive Welton side who were better than AFC from start to finish. The one positive on a day of negatives was the return of Stephen Pearce for his first start for West End in nearly 21 months, he lasted 45 minutes at right back in place of the departed Dane Vincent who left for Nottingham club AFC Southside after the Trent Valley game a week earlier. Captain Adie Gray returned at center half whilst Sam McDonnell took his brother Jack’s place in attack

AFC West End 1-1 Trent Valley

West End Claim Valley Point As Sunday League Big Freeze Finally Subsides

AFC West End returned to action after seven weeks without game with tricky new years encounter with Trent Valley FC on the West Common. Jack McDonnell started for West End, only his second league start of the season as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Captain Adie Gray was absent so Glen Wilson made a return in the centre of defence alongside Rich Brown. Co-Manger Joe Harper also missed the game after a festive accident saw him on crutches unable to pinpoint a date for his return.

AFC Rustons 1-1 AFC West End

Spirited AFC Peg Back Rustons

AFC made the short trip to Skellingthorpe Road to take on AFC Rustons; a team looking to jump start their own season after an inconsistent start. AFC were a much changed side particularly in defence Christian Sales returned in goal, Glen Wilson started in the centre of defence to record his 100^th competitive start and Dave Capps filled in for Matt Ingram at left back. Joe Harper returned to the midfield in place of Rob Davies with Rich Vickers moving to the right hand side.

1. Christian Sales

Debut – 21/09/2008 vs Welton S&SC Res
Appearances - 48 (14th Highest Appearance Maker)
Clean Sheets - 

One of ten University of Lincoln4^th team graduates in the to have starred for AFC West End, Christian first appeared for the Beers to help the side for a number of pre-season friendlies in the summers of 2007 and 2008. Eventually the pull of the club proved too much and Chris made his official West End debut in the 9-3 demolition Welton S&SC Reserves in late September 2008. An excellent shot-stopper he was a significant factor in West End’s rise up the table in the 2008-09 season and the regular football  also helped him to develop his game, improving his confidence in coming off his line and his kicking , to become an all round solid goalkeeper.

During the 2009/10 Christian was restricted to only eight starts due to injury, the lack of a regular goalkeeper was  evident in arguably West End’s most disappointing season. In 2010/11 he missed only 4 out of 26 games and was in the running for end of season awards. Having been AFC’s number 1 for the best part of 3 years Christian will be looking to cement that status even further in 2011/12.