Attendance of the day

Even a couple of years ago, Prescot Cables would not have anticipated that our game would attract the division's best attendance of the day. However, our 370 against Glossop North End achieved that, at least for a game: there may have been more people in the public houses of Atherton, as South Shields' visit fell victim to the dreaded, and unanticipated by the weather forecast, lunchtime downpour.

We too had looked at the pitch at the start of the day, and reported no need for an inspection, just as it started to rain, although, fortunately, it stayed as light as forecast. Glossop's photographer joined me as we picked our way round the foot of the steps from the dressing rooms, where just about everyone who has business on the pitch will walk, most of them wearing studs. I do not think it was a man eating swamp, but we were not taking any chances. The pitch was firm enough, although I left a distinct Dr Martens footprint if I stood in one place for too long.

James Edgar had sustained a shoulder injury at Clitheroe, which gave Dan Burns an opportunity for a start.

Dan Burns

Regular spectators will be aware of a couple of leaks in the gutter of the main stand, sending a jet of water on to anyone standing below. That problem should be solved, as the repair people have been in, and have also taken an advert.

Reece McNally

We are a superstitious bunch in football, or maybe what goes around comes around. So, when you use a picture of an opposition player coming off second best to generate a meme, you can be sure he will score against you at the next opportunity. Chris Baguley did the honours for the visitors just before half time.

We came out more determined for the second half, and James McCulloch had the first part of a mixed afternoon with a goal a couple of minutes in.

Scenes ensued.

This was to be the high point of the game, with pressure from the visitors leading to a second goal ten minutes from time.

It is still quite dark towards the end of the game, so I worked my way round to the side of the pitch.

Louis Coyne

An unsuccessful afternoon was compounded a few minutes from time when James McCulloch made a tackle, that did look a bit mistimed from my angle, but did not look to fall within the definition of excessive force or endangering the safety of an opponent, and was unfortunate to receive a straight red card rather than a second yellow. The consequences for the afternoon would have been the same, but he will now be suspended for three games rather than one.

In spite of the defeat, Ben Barnes ensured we stayed in the game for longer than we might have done, and won the Roanza Truck & Van Man of the Match award.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (McCulloch) Glossop North End 2

A fine comeback

Before Prescot Cables' game at Glossop North End, I adjourned for drinks with my travelling companions in the Star Inn, as convenient for the station as it can be without actually being in the building. I made sure I got to the ground in time for one of Mettrick's excellent pies, opting for the lamb and mint pasty. I was unable to find a fork, and made do with a spoon which made for an entertaining snack. The resident photographer was most helpful, pointing out the best side to stand for our team and the direction they would face for the handshakes.

We received bad team news during the week, with Marcus Burgess injuring his knee and suspecting he might be out for some time. During the week, in the FA Trophy at Stalybridge Celtic, Ethan Dorgan from the Youth Team had taken his place. I was unable to attend, but it sounded character building, as we exited the competition with a 5-1 defeat. For the medium term, we have signed Ben Barnes, who had been released by Marine.

Ben Barnes

As we play in yellow, I wear an orange hi-vis vest to avoid a clash. However, brighter shades are popular with opposition goalkeepers too.

Glossop's Paul Phillips denies Lloyd Dean

The quality of the light was excellent, with low autumn sunshine.

Dan Burn

Despite some good chances, we were unable to find the goal (or at least not the bit inside the woodwork), and went in 1-0 down.

As the clocks have now gone back, the light drops quickly in the second half.

Harry Cain

Former Cables player Tunde Owolabi has signed for the hosts after a short spell at Stalybridge, and came on from the bench after about an hour. He scored some useful goals for us, and quickly did the same for his new club. It looked as though it may be the all too familiar pattern of playing well and not getting a result.

However, the fightback came when Lloyd Dean got on the end of a rebound from a Jordan Wynne free kick on the edge of the penalty area twelve minutes from time.

Jordan Wynne

The team immediately set about trying to secure a point whilst I moved to the side of the pitch. Lloyd Dean followed up with a second two minutes later. It would have been tempting to try to hold on to a point, but we pushed for all three. Lloyd Dean was once again involved, forcing goalkeeper Paul Phillips to commit himself...

... before passing to Jordan Wynne to put the ball in the back of the net.

Scenes ensued.

Jordan Wynne is under there somewhere

Chris Almond also made a welcome appearance from the bench after missing most of the season so far due to injury.

Chris Almond

On the way back, my travelling companions and I stopped off in Manchester, where we encountered bizarre non-service in the Piccadilly Tap. I ordered drinks for three of us: the barman poured one and brought it over, then seemed to have a problem with the pump for the second. He disappeared for a few minutes, returned, still had a problem, disappeared again, and when he was unable for a third time to pour the pint, put on his coat and, without a word, left the building.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Glossop North End 2 Prescot Cables 3 (Dean 2, Wynne)

A surprising win

I approached Prescot Cables' game at home to Glossop North End hoping for a point. We had been steadily amassing what we needed to avoid relegation, mainly one at a time. Our home form has been good, although we have drawn some games we were in a position to win. The visitors were third in the league, but we have always been able to spring a surprise on teams near the top of the table. A point would mean that that for Goole to catch us, as well as winning two of their remaining four games, goal difference meant they would need to draw a third, in addition to anything we were able to to.

It was a bright, sunny afternoon, with plenty of light, but also shadows to deal with.

Marcus Burgess

I still had a point very much in mind when Chris Almond opened the scoring after seven minutes.

Chris Almond celebrates his first goal

Lloyd Dean added to the tally after about half an hour. There was still no indication of what was to come, with the visitors scoring just before the end to make for an unremarkable 2-1 half time score. Glossop were in third place for a reason, but we were looking more hopeful for that point.

Lloyd Dean scored a second a few minutes into the second half to restore our advantage.

Lloyd Dean shoots for his second goal

Shortly afterwards, we revised our expectations upwards, when Chris Almond scored twice in quick succession for his hat trick. Josh Dolling added to the scoring a couple of minutes later to complete a perfect fifteen minutes.

Josh Dolling

With a win now realistically secure, there were two more goals: a consolation for the visitors, and another from Josh Dolling, who has steadily improved since he joined us, and is seeing the rewards in goals.

The Rogues and Rascals Barbershop Man of the Match is usually chosen by informal soundings in the bar after the game. There is one essential proviso - you need to still be on the premises for the announcement and photo: the sponsors are paying us to promote them after all. A hat trick will put you at the top of most people's minds, so we made sure Chris Almond was still around to receive his award.

Meanwhile, in the more formal voting on the website, Dale Wright secured the award for the Warrington Motors Player of the Month for March.

Having secured three points, not only did we ensure Goole now needed three wins from their last four games, but also that Mossley replaced us in their sights, as we went up a place on goal difference. Unfortunately, we did not do Glossop's playoff chances any good, although, being purely selfish, it increased the chance we would be enjoying their rather decent pies again next season.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 7 (Almond 3, Dean 2, Dolling 2) Glossop North End 2.

Head for the Hill-Woods

There is often talk in English football of how we need a winter break. Those of us in the non League game know we usually have one, you just cannot predict when it will be. Prescot Cables' game at home to Burscough on the New Year bank holiday fell to a frozen pitch. About 90% of it looked fine in the pictures I saw, but one corner does not get the sun, and, if it has frozen overnight, air temperature is not usually enough to thaw it. Having not seen the game at Bamber Bridge on Boxing Day, it was three weeks since I had seen Cables play.

A lot can happen in that time, and three more players moved on, Rob Doran to Colwyn Bay, Michael Simpson returning to Runcorn Linnets, and Joe Nicholson joining his brother Josh in returning to Skelmersdale United, and also registering with Ashton Town in the Hallmark Security League. This blog wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

Joe Nicholson

In the other direction, Marcus Burgess rejoins us in goal ...

Marcus Burgess

... Chris Almond joins us from Skelmersdale United ...

Chris Almond

... and Harry Cain from Altrincham.

Harry Cain is tracked by Pitchero's new video technology

Glossop North End's Twitter feed reported that another familiar face would be at the game, as Jonah O'Reilly had moved from Skelmersdale to our hosts. Jonah's father, a former regular on the Gasworks Side, was watching, although his dogs had wisely stayed at home in the warm.

Jonah O'Reilly

This was our Train Crew's first organised trip for a while, and Dr Phil and I joined Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, in the Piccadilly Tap. We collected Phil's friend David, who was born in Glossop, where his grandfather had been the local undertaker. When we arrived in Glossop, I was about to point out the ground by reference to its neighbouring landmark (or blot on the landscape), but the large chimney has been demolished to make way for housing.

More supporters joined us in the Star, but I eschewed the chance to move with them to the Friendship Inn, preferring to read the paper before getting to the ground in time for a pie. Mettrick's pies are some of the best in the league, and have been sold at at the FA Cup Final, presumably due to the connection between Glossop and Arsenal through the Hill-Wood family. The pastry, unlike some, does not need a chisel to break the crust, and with commendable attention to detail, the hosts supply a spork, so you do not miss out on any gravy.

I am not sure whether the day was properly called foggy or misty, as different forecasters use different visibility criteria to distinguish them (at least on land, it is internationally agreed at sea). We could not see the hills, but there was no issue seeing the football. The hosts are in the playoff positions, and presented a strong challenge, despite losing two players to injury in the first few minutes, and were 2-0 up at half time.

For the second half, we were playing towards the former chimney end. As it was dark enough to have the floodlights on from the start, and they are in a side arrangement, I would not get much from the covered standing at the end, and would be better under a pylon. The pylon at that end is in front of the stand, the next is between the dugouts, so I found myself alongside our own half.

Danny Flood

The hosts scored a third shortly after the restart.

With Dominic Marie following up the form that won him the Warrington Motors Player of the Month award for December by scoring in this game, I was trying to get a decent picture where he was both recognisable and in action, but it can be pot luck with the light at this time of year.

Dominic Marie

The rest of the pictures can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Glossop North End 3 Prescot Cables 1 (Marie)

The special soup

For Prescot Cables' visit to Glossop North End, engineering works halved the train service between Liverpool and Manchester. Having experienced the same the previous week, I travelled on the team coach. I thought of frequenting the Star opposite the station, but everybody else went into the ground, so I joined them and had a pint of Howard Town Longdendale Light in the clubhouse. One table was laid with tablecloths and place settings, presumably for sponsors, although the quality of the Mettrick's pies meant they were eating the same as us, just with plates, knives and forks. When I had finished my pint, I bought a lamb and mint pasty, and went to watch the players warming up.

One reason I took the coach was that the weather did not look pleasant for a pre match walk, but it gave me the opportunity to try my technical changes in a variety of conditions. We started playing towards the clubhouse when the rain had only just stopped and the sky was still dark. This is the first time I have had to switch to shutter priority mode (at 1/320s) during the afternoon this season.

Joe Herbert

It was, however, as my mother used to say, referring to clearer sky in the distance, a bit lighter over Bill's mother's. I never understood this phrase, being unclear who Bill was, and his mother never seemed to live in the same place. It was bright on the field, with another early goal from Lloyd Dean.

Match action seemed to be in midfield so I moved next to the dugouts. By this time the sun was coming out, so I went back to the sports mode on the camera.

Antony Shinks

The hosts equalised through Jamie Rainford on the half hour.

Surrey Street is a picturesque addition to our division, with fine views in most directions. There is also a reminder of the town's industrial heritage / blot on the landscape (delete according to preference) in the shape of a large chimney, no longer in operation, which no-one has been able to afford to dismantle, but which provides a handy landmark.

For the second half I followed the the same pattern as the first, starting behind the goal we were attacking...

Shane Glean

... and quickly moving towards the half way line. There was some heavy rain, then the sun broke through the clouds which gave some good effects.

George Mannion

The trees cast some irregular shadows: raw format let me deal with these much more effectively than I would have been able with jpegs.

James Edgar

A slightly lucky goal about 15 minutes from time handed all the points to Glossop.

Most clubs close their tea bar after half time, as there is little demand after this. However, clubs are obliged to provide hot food for the players and match officials after the game, so Glossop also keep the hatch open after the game.

Whilst one tends to be wary about "special stuff" in these parts, I can confirm this was a most tasty pea soup.

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

Final score: Glossop North End 2 Prescot Cables 1 (Dean).

Up Ended

For those whose interest in the FA Cup extends only to the Preliminary Rounds, there are things we look for in the draw. Aside from a winnable home tie, an away game should provide a good day out, and be somewhere we would not normally visit. Glossop North End answers the first requirement, being nestled in the Peak District, and in any of the last ten years would have answered the second, except that this year they joined us in the league, so we played them at home last week, and will be visiting again later in the season.

A small but select group from our Train Crew travelled on our traditional 10.22. On arrival in Glossop, the other members of the party had some local hostelries they wanted to try. I went for a walk in the hills, so stayed on the train to Hadfield, and took a circular route taking in the old Woodhead railway route and two of the Longendale reservoirs, rejoining the away support in the excellent Star a couple of hours later.

The ground is one of the more picturesque in the division - provided you keep the chimney out of view, although it helps you see where the ground is from miles around.

This was the first match in charge for Andy Paxton.

Having started the season with three poor performances, there was a feeling that some of the new players were not as good as those who finished last season. Whilst that may be the case for some, of whom we may not be seeing much more, others were potentially good players who had not been seen to their best advantage.

There was just one completely new face in the starting XI.

Josh Nicholson (foreground)

This picture allows us to play "FA Cup spot the difference". Most clubs at our level have a kit suitable for league games, i.e. a starting XI plus five substitutes. In the Cup we can name seven, so it is not uncommon for one or two players' kits to be colour matched, but slightly different in detail. Comparing Josh with Shane Glean in the background, we can see Josh has drawn the slightly different shorts and socks.

Team captain James McCulloch was back from holiday, a welcome return for his leadership and organisational ability on the field.

James McCulloch

We started well, with a goal from Rob Doran ...

Rob Doran lines up his successful free kick

... and held on to our lead for the first half with a disciplined team performance.

At half time it was time for food, in the shape of the local Mettrick's pies. Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, visited last season, and reported that Mettrick's shop had a banner indicating their pies had been sold at last season's FA Cup final, possibly because of the Hill-Wood family's connections with Glossop North End and Arsenal, or because the pies have won several awards. Either way, I suspect they were sold at Wembley for a somewhat higher price than the reasonable £2 (including peas and gravy) at Surrey Street.

The hosts better organised start to the season started to show in the second half.

Joe Herbert in defence

Some were keeping tight hold of the ball.

Jazz takes a rest

Unfortunately we could not keep the lead until the end, with the equaliser coming in the 89th minute, and the winning goal for Glossop from former Cables player Jamie Rainford in injury time.

Obviously it was disappointing to lose having led all game, and the prize money would have been handy for club funds but there were positives to take. The team played as one, and some of those who looked lacklustre in the previous three games gave a much better performance under the new management.

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

Final score: Glossop North End 2 Prescot Cables 1 (Doran).

Well, that escalated quickly

I had been expecting rain for Prescot Cables game at home against Glossop North End, and, as I had not replaced the hood I lost a couple of weeks ago, I was wondering where to stand to get a decent view without getting wet. There were some cask ales from the Melwood Beer Company in the bar: the Walloper Gold the brewery makes for us is usually on keg dispense, presumably to avoid losses from tapping a cask before a late postponement and the contents going unsold. I need not have worried about the weather, and I found a plastic pint glass somewhat tricky to handle in conjunction with the camera.

Our Train Crew is often mentioned in these pages as respectable people naming themselves like a dodgy outfit from the late seventies. Some Glossop supporters with a minibus had the same idea.

I took up position in front of the tea bar, as against Witton in midweek, although this time I was alongside the half we were attacking.

I have reported over the last few weeks that we have kept about half the side we had at the end of last season. However, that has come a bit undone, with only three of the team that played against Padiham on the team sheet for this game, with Joe Evans, James Edgar and Ben Morrow all on the bench. I was unsure on the whereabouts of the others, apart from Jonah O'Reilly, who was injured.

Phil Bannister has been getting back into his stride since rejoining.

Phil Bannister

We did not have a good first half, not only conceding three goals, but also losing Leon Williams and Rob Doran to injury.

Rob Doran

In the second half, we seemed to be playing a bit more as a team, but we still conceded a fourth goal.

With three poor results from three poor performances, there was talk of whether the manager's position was in jeopardy. This seemed premature, although the board would need to feel he was on top of the situation. I am not aware of any discussion that took place between Neil and the board, but they clearly did not feel they had the reassurance they needed, and the following afternoon the League posted a club statement that we had parted company with Neil Prince.

The problem was that this was not the first anyone heard of it, as the news dribbled out on social media, with the first club related statement being from the Reserves' Twitter feed that Joe Gibiliru Senior would be taking temporary charge of the first team. I see how they reached the conclusion that the news was in the public domain, but it points to a gap in our communications. Hopefully the new website will be active soon, as it will allow multiple people to add content, and make it easier to ensure the club's official channels are the first to issue news.

I enjoyed the football Neil Prince's team played last season, with a decent group of young players - perhaps the team I have felt most attached to over the years - and we avoided relegation with a couple of weeks to spare, so this blog wishes Neil well in his future endeavours.

Neil Prince

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Glossop North End 4.