Almost kept a point

This week saw Prescot Cables playing at home to Salford City, a game postponed from February. Then there had been a couple of rumblings on Twitter that it was convenient that the game was off on the day of the Merseyside derby. The contrary was true, the derby match was in the evening, so we would have probably got a few extra spectators in the mood for a day's football, not to mention not having the expense of the floodlights. On the whole, the weather has been kind to us this season, with this being the first of only two midweek games at home this year, and the crowd was reasonably good for an evening game, at 187.

The spectators were joined by two of Salford's co-owners, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville (I think - I ought to take a "know your Nevilles" picture card to games against Salford), although the brief chant of "Neville Neville" to the tune of Rebel Rebel was incorrect, as I am fairly sure Phil and Gary's father was not present. They were, as they usually are, happy to chat to supporters, pose for pictures and sign autographs, and tweeted afterwards that they had enjoyed the game and the hospitality.

Their involvement also gives Salford access to funds we would all like to have at our disposal, and they have set a high priority on seeing results from their investment in the shape of promotion. Having suffered a heavy defeat when we visited Salford a few weeks ago, we were keen not to repeat the experience.

We have a young side, who have been capable of some excellent play, but, facing our second set of title challenging opponents in four days, we needed experience too, with Neil Prince joining James McCulloch and Joe Evans in midfield, and Liam Hollett in defence.

Neil Prince & James McCulloch

Liam Hollett

Joe Evans

We were active at both ends.

Jack Phillips

Since making his first start with the first team a few weeks ago, goalkeeper Ben Morrow has been mentioned a few times in these dispatches, and this game was no exception. He is making some good saves, and just as important, he projects a calm demeanour. He gained some good comments from the opposition supporters (many of whom are closer to the goal than anyone else), and won the Wallopers' Way man of the match poll.

Ben Morrow

Prescot had some chances, the best falling to Neil Prince, whose shot went over the bar, but had not been able to score. This was balanced by what looked as though it might be a clean sheet at the other end, until the last minute of normal time. James Edgar replaced Jack Phillips, who looked as though he had a bit of cramp, but more pertinently was a long way away from the bench. A substitution at this point is not without risk, and Salford were able to break through for the only goal, to wild celebrations from their bench.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Salford City 1.

Quaker oats and milk stout

This weekend saw my second visit of the year to Bishop Auckland. In January, Darlington 1883 had been gung-ho about the likelihood that ice and standing water on the pitch would clear in time for a game. Finding myself at a loose end, I spent an afternoon in Durham, which was very enjoyable, but not the first choice of ways to spend my time and money.

I let the train take the strain for this trip. It is a bit pricey, but I could leave home later than for the coach, be flexible about when to come back, and try beers from an area I do not visit very often. This would not be possible going straight to the ground, which is in the middle of a retail park, with just a couple of dining oriented chain pubs nearby. Travelling via Darlington, I could go to the excellent Quakerhouse, and selected a Storm Porter from Cullercoats Brewery. The pub has swan neck pumps, but with sparklers set loose or not fitted, as the head was the looser southern style, which I prefer, despite many years in the north.

I do not normally keep a camera ready to capture life from the bus, but I could have done with one going through Shildon, passing a chap out walking his horse - a solid looking beast, but a bit small for riding.

Bishop Auckland is so named as it was historically the residence of the Bishops of Durham, although if I were a Prince Bishop, I might have chosen somewhere a bit warmer. Heritage Park catches the wind, and must be a bit bleak with a smaller crowd than Darlington attract. However, there is a view of the local hills.

Danny Flood

There was an encouraging start, with a goal from James Jenkins, which I missed, as my lens's slightly malfunctioning vibration reduction unit vibrated at just the moment he was going for a long distance shot.

James Jenkins

A trip to County Durham would not be complete without a penalty, and, once again, Ben Morrow came up with the goods. I would like to have included a picture of the save in the set I sent to the paper, but, although everyone starts from a fixed position, it is not always easy to get an unobstructed view from the other end of the pitch.

Unfortunately, the hosts were soon level again from a corner. Darlington's ruthless interceptions meant we were largely encamped in our own half, with their going ahead just before half time.

Changing end for the second half, I was now in the wind, out of the shelter of the main stand, but was rewarded with more play in the opposition's half.

Jonah O'Reilly

We were not able to prevent two more goals, but kept pressing, and were rewarded with a penalty in the second to last minute, taken by James Gardener.

James Gardener

Their goalkeeper did not seem too keen to release the ball for the restart of play.

James McCulloch attempts to retrieve the ball for the kick off

Both teams are in tight races, Darlington at the top of the table, and ourselves to avoid relegation, so goal difference could be useful to both of us.

I remember in the seventies and eighties, before I started watching football live, when the first results appeared on television at 4.42. Time is more generously added for stoppages today, so I found myself hurrying for a bus stopping two minutes' walk away at 4.57.

I declined the offer of a lift back on the coach, as I remembered a couple of beers worth a try back in the Quakerhouse. When I got there, they had brought on Marshmallow Milk Stout from the Irwell Works Brewery. It is a style I have not tried, and might have expected to find nearer to home, as the brewery is in Ramsbottom. I am not keen on milk as a drink, a legacy from school for those over 45, but I like most milk products - cream, cheese, yogurt, even evaporated milk, so I wondered whether the beer would be more like the former or the latter. I am still not entirely sure, the well roasted malt was most tasty, but there was enough of lactose to give that slight milk texture.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Darlington 1883 4 Prescot Cables 2 (Jenkins, Gardiner pen).

Arf arf

Those who know me will know I like a running joke. So, for years I have been referring to Transport for London's Oyster card as a Lobster. In 2011 Merseytravel pinched my joke, announcing with great fanfare that their smart card was to be called the Walrus, with all sorts of travel goodies on it. Four years later, they finally put a product on, the Saveaway, a one day ticket, previously on a scratch card. This weekend was the first time I used one to get to the game. It was also the first day I correctly paid: my ticket failed to load the first day I used it, so I got around using the receipt from the payment terminal; and the second day the system gave me the previous occasion's ticket for free.

A Walrus card - I think the yellow bits are tusks

Fortunately, at Prescot Cables' game at home to Bamber Bridge, we had something more old fashioned, good wholesome beer at the annual beer festival. Business was brisk once people started to arrive for the game.

Outside, the weather was overcast, and colder than it had been for a few days.

James McCulloch

We scored first with a header from James Jenkins. I got a picture, but not one for the final collection, even on the goal is a goal principle.

Everyone joined in the celebrations.

We are having trouble keeping a lead, and scores were level again after a couple of minutes.

We thought we had restored our lead when Jack Phillips put the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside - another picture that did not have the quality to make it into the final collection.

We can see the moment before the ball goes in the net here, although we cannot judge much from it: I usually see when the ball arrives with the player who may or may not be in an offside position, not the position when the ball is played.

Learned papers have been written on the physical possibility of judging an offside position, although they presume that the assistant referee needs to focus on every player distinctly and in turn, whereas in many cases it is possible to determine much by colour and movement. An attacker with the defender's colour to his right is unlikely to be in an offside position.

This is all very well when everything is in the assistant referee's field of vision. With a ball from a point to the assistant's side, one way of determining when it was played is by sound. My refereeing friend James once explained this to me, saying that the distance was too short for the speed of sound to have any effect. However, if a ball is played from near the half way line, with the assistant near the goal line, the distance can be 40 - 50m. Sound travels at approximately 330m/s, so takes about 0.15s to travel that distance. If a player can run 100m in 15s, he can cover a metre in that time, enough to move from an onside to an apparently offside position. However, an eye movement takes about 0.2s , and a similar time for the eye to focus in the new position, so sound may well be the best way to use.

The visitors extended their lead with two goals from Stuart Vasey, both long range shots, good goals, and one, I cannot remember which, was almost an excellent save: Ben Morrow got fingers to it, but not enough to stop it going in. It is an occupational hazard of goalkeeping, even when you get your bit right (which Ben largely has over the last three games), people remember the ones that go in.

Ben Morrow

The second half had very much the balance of the first, with a fourth goal about 10 minutes in. Not that our team gave up, still trying for the late goal until the end.

Joe Evans

After this, it was back to the beer festival, with more good business, including a few of our visitors staying to enjoy the festival until quite late in the evening.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Jenkins) Bamber Bridge 4.

Goals with the wind

The geek in me thought of getting the electric train to Manchester on my way to Prescot Cables' game away at Mossley, but the timetable told me the connections were at the wrong time. As there was a limited turnout from the usual suspects, and Mossley is not packed with tourist attractions, I thought I would make a contribution to club funds by going on the team coach.

Having consulted whatpub.com, I adjourned on arrival to the Fleece, a down to earth establishment a couple of minutes' walk from the ground, where I was joined by Luke and his father Peter, who have relatives involved at the club. Whatpub mentioned that real ale was relatively new to the Fleece, and Peter said it had a reputation in the past for being rough, so the landlord may be using the tried and tested method of using real ale to create a better environment. I could have sworn I saw him puffing on a pipe, which puzzled me: it is illegal to burn anything in it indoors, and, whilst electronic cigarettes are popular, I have never heard of the process in a pipe.

The Met Office app was predicting cloud, down from overcast in the previous day's forecast. but if I had known how good the weather would turn out, I would have got an early train and gone for a walk before the game.

Our timing getting to the ground was perfect, but the referee was ahead of himself, so the game was under way when we got there. There was a fairly strong wind blowing towards the Yorkshire end, and we were playing in to it. I took up position sheltered by the cover at the Lancashire end. Incidentally, I am not aware of anyone else using these descriptions, I devised them from a traditional county map. We started well with a goal from Sam Corlett after 12 minutes.

Sam Corlett sets off for goal

We have encountered the white wall at the Yorkshire end before. Previously this has been in summer time, the difference in the position of the sun from still observing GMT made it less troublesome with the action taking place right in front of it...

Ben Morrow makes a save

,,, and in the middle of the pitch.

Jonah O'Reilly takes a free kick

However, the stand and the trees behind it cast an irregular shadow, which gave a problem with backlighting, as here with Andy Harper. Here is the picture as it came off the camera.

We need to crop the picture and use the selection tool to enable us to lighten the player separately.

Finally we have the finished result.

The Cheshire side (another of my geographical descriptions) provides an easy background with which to work, especially with our players in red.

Oscar Durnin

At half time I had some rather decent chips from the tea bar. Luke also recommended the pies. When someone mentions a pie, I think of my favourites, steak and kidney or pork. I therefore failed to compute Luke's next comment, that the cheese and onion was particularly good, and replied that I was off red meat for Lent (red in this case meaning anything that once had four legs).

The wind played a part in at least one of the hosts' two goals in the first half, but it was dropping in the second. I took up position near the corner flag, having to stay in the shade to avoid being dazzled, so I was cooled by what was left of the wind. A surprising number of people stayed in the cold on the stand side, although some had the good sense to watch in the sunshine.

Tommy and Bob watch Liam Dodd

Although the situation looked retrievable at half time, there was a more scrappy display from both teams in the second half, with Mossley securing a third goal.

After the game I thought we were leaving at 6pm, so went back to the Fleece, only to find myself summoned back to the coach when everyone else was ready to leave 20 minutes earlier. At least I did not need to worry about train connections or trundling slowly through Manchester. Going home from Prescot, there was one success of the day: after several attempts, I got my phone to work with the Wi-Fi on the bright shiny new buses they have put on the 10A.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Mossley 3 Prescot Cables 1 (Corlett)

A murky day and a clean sheet

"Can you hold this for a second", I said to Jack Phillips' brother Anthony, as I passed him my lens hood at the beginning of Prescot Cables' game at home to Spennymoor Town. He looked a bit nervous, as people often do when I hand them a random piece of camera equipment, so I reassured him he was holding a £10 piece of plastic, rather than a £400 piece of kit.

It was a relief to have a game at home, the last one having been four weeks ago, with four away games and a postponement (I am sure there is a film in there somewhere) in the intervening period.

Spennymoor are third in the table, suggesting they made a good decision not to apply for promotion from the Northern League until they were confident they were in a position to manage at this level. Reports suggested some of the visiting supporters regarded the game as a foregone conclusion. Not that we did : we do well at picking up points where we are not expecting them (having dropped a few we were expecting as well).

The Met Office app predicted expect rain, which fortunately did not start until near the end of the game, although an overcast sky meant the light left something to be desired. I started with the sports mode on the camera, and got some shots at 1/400s.

James Jenkins

However, the cloud got heavier, so I switched to shutter priority at 1/320s.

Oscar Durnin

In goal was Ben Morrow, who ensured his place in the stories supporters will be telling when we are in our dotage by making his first touch in senior football a penalty save in the corresponding away fixture, and today making his first start for the first team.

Ben Morrow

Ben is the latest product of our youth team to make a first team start, with Andy Harper having established himself in a regular place since making his first start over the Christmas period.

Andy Harper

This was a game for solid defence, which does not always give the best pictures, but was a good game to watch.

One of the difficulties for a player manager is knowing when to use himself on the field, and I think Neil Prince exercises good judgement, this time increasing our threat going forward and bringing his experience and fresh legs into play at 75 minutes, often a dangerous point of the game for us.

Neil Prince

Although a winning goal looked possible, from about 80 minutes on I was feeling we most needed a clean sheet, for Ben Morrow on his first full game, but also for team confidence, as they have been hard to come by for the last few games.

Elsewhere, New Mills had been, unlike us in midweek, unable to overcome Harrogate Railway Athletic, and Padiham suffered the same fate as us at the hands of Salford City, which opened the gap below us, and with Radcliffe Borough also losing, took us up one place in the table.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Spennymoor Town 0.

Changeable weather

There was a relaxed air amongst our pharmacologists for Prescot Cables' game away to Salford City: theses had been submitted, vivas booked and new jobs started. James and Jon joined me for the train to Manchester, with Luke joining us there. There is a lack of pubs near the ground, so we could have gone anywhere in Manchester, but we honoured Salford's city status, by visiting the excellent New Oxford, next to the former Salford Town Hall. The company developing the Town Hall for flats describe it as an idyllic location, but I would not go that far.

Our party ready for the game - photo by Richie Brown

The pub is a few minutes' walk from the stop for buses to Moor Lane. The first to come was the 93, so it was handy to have Luke, who caught the 93 to college about 10 years ago, with us to reassure the driver of our local connection.

We arrived as the game was starting, with the team's transport having successfully avoided emus in the Warrington area (the last telling of the collision with the pheasant in October had escalated to a swan, so I thought I would up the ante further). I did not see any of Salford's owners, and assumed they had punditry commitments for Manchester United's game at Swansea, although I subsequently learned Paul Scholes and Phil Neville were watching the game from the Moor Lane side.

The sun was shining, and we were attacking the car park end, so I took up position in the corner where I would be looking across the sun rather than into it.

Danny Flood

It  was a first appearance for James Jenkins, on loan from Accrington Stanley.

James Jenkins

The weather changed a few minutes later, with a sleet shower. This was all very well for photographic effects...

... but I have been continuing my practice of not attaching a filter to the lens except to avoid getting water on the front. This is fine when I know it is going to rain, but, not expecting a shower, I found myself cleaning the lens somewhat gingerly to avoid scratching it.

There was a comment after the game that we treated the hosts with too much respect in the first half, a fair assessment, with the half time score standing at 4-0.

The sun was back before half time, so for the second half, when we were playing into the sun, the lighting conditions were perfect. Looking at the photos, you might think it was a summer day, although the wind demonstrated it definitely was not.

Oscar Durnin

Our play seemed better too: whilst we conceded two more goals, we seemed more coordinated, and took away the hosts' clean sheet with a penalty from Jack Phillips.

Jack Phillips takes a penalty

We saw the return of Liam Hollett (he had also played at Ossett Town in midweek) wearing number 6, with James McCulloch at 4, a combination we are used to seeing the other way round.

Liam Hollett

James McCulloch

After the game, we needed some more refreshment, and I needed to thaw my fingers, so we adjourned to the Northern Quarter (or It's Grim up North Manchester), where even door staff had hipster beards. It was handy for the station, to allow married or soon to be married members of the party to head home at an appropriate hour. After this, Luke recommended the Angel, with an excellent beer range, good (if a little pricey) food, and Farmer Jim's Dry Cider, which Luke declared to be delicious. The pump clip featured a drawing of the eponymous farmer with a pig that looked as though it would be equally delicious cooked in the product.

When we finally left for our train, Luke was sceptical about the estimate from Mr Google's Maps that Piccadilly Station was 20 minutes' walk away, airily indicating, "It's just down there on the left". He was right about the time, but the maps had the advantage on the direction, as we actually needed to turn right, going left would have led us to Oldham.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Salford City 6, Prescot Cables 1 (Phillips pen)