Clashing colours

For the last few seasons, Prescot Cables have reached the point at around mid April when we have enough points, and others have run out of time to accumulate them, to make us safe from the risk of relegation. This year, it came when our visitors for the weekend, Brighouse Town, beat New Mills in midweek, meaning the latter were confirmed in the bottom two positions.

Brighouse were wearing an uncommon combination of colours.

Matty West

The League website shows their away colours as all green, so the decidedly non matching blue shirts and socks suggests a shortage after a season's wear and tear. I was surprised the referee did not insist on their borrowing socks from us: their navy and our black looked closer in colour with the naked eye than they do in the photos.

Since I have been writing these posts, I have made a bee line for the team sheet to ensure I am not left captioning a picture here, or worse, for the paper, as "some bloke I saw for the first time today", such was the rate of turnover in the squad. The second half of this season has been different: we have not always been able to field a settled team, but the pool from which we have been choosing has been fairly constant.

Liam Hollett's prospect of recovery from his injury at Warrington were not as pessimistic as he thought, so he was back in action.

Liam Hollett

The ground has passed its grading inspection, with only minor improvements needed, the most visible being some netting on the bar on the perimeter that allows access to the pitch in the fortunately rare event of an ambulance being needed. I am not sure whether this is to keep the ball on the pitch or domestic pets off.

Sam Corlett spots the new netting whilst preparing for a corner

Following her incursion a couple of weeks ago, Jazz was once again enjoying the freedom of the gasworks side. I am not sure whether she appreciated the significance of the occasion, James McCulloch's 200th appearance for the club, an increasingly rare landmark. Many players today follow three M's - matches, managers and money: playing at the highest level they can achieve, or dropping down to fit in with work or family commitments; following a manager with whom they enjoy working, or moving when a new manager has a clear out; and taking the opportunity to earn from their skills. James has given us welcome stability through, according to my calculations, seven managers, and leads by example on and off the field, so we hope for many more appearances to come.

James McCulloch

The game had an end of season feel, with fine weather and little at stake, although I subscribe to the view that, whatever the circumstances it is always better to get a result than not. Ben Morrow kept a fourth clean sheet to match Ciaran Gibson's tally for the season (the ninth for the team, away to Spennymoor, being a joint effort).

Ben Morrow

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Brighouse Town 0.

Four goals and a spilled pint

It was another fine day for Prescot Cables' game at home to Farsley AFC. We were still looking for points to give us the decisive advantage over New Mills to avoid relegation, whereas for the visitors the playoffs were out of reach, and they were well away from relegation. It was Grand National day, which claims a few supporters, and, looking at the team sheet, may have accounted for some players, and, being the weekend after Easter, the start of the wedding season, which accounted for another.

We started brightly, and I captured Ben Morrow being called into action. My view of the goal is often obstructed, and I (and Ben) have so far had to be content mainly with pictures when the ball has been safely gathered.

Ben Morrow

The scoring was opened when James Jenkins was brought down, and Neil Prince did not err in converting the penalty.

Neil Prince scores from the penalty

Neil was active with the dead ball a couple of minutes later. I like a goal as much as the next man, but the crowd like to be entertained too. His free kick was aimed for the top corner but went wide, landing on the pitch perimeter fence, just at the point Dave "The Monster" had balanced his pint.

The players look concerned at the fate of Dave's pint

With just the one goal lead at half time, we needed a second to keep up the momentum. James Jenkins obliged seven minutes in.

James Jenkins

Sam Corlett has held on to the top scorer spot for most of the season with ten goals. In the last couple of weeks, Jack Phillips has been putting in a challenge, with a match winning goal against Lancaster, and the goals to secure a point against Scarborough. Jack's free kick on the edge of the area found the goalkeeper's fingers, and then described a trajectory that seemed to defy the laws of physics to cross the line - the ball went across the line somewhere to the left of his feet in this picture.

A few minutes later, the goalkeeper handled a back pass, conceding an indirect free kick near the penalty spot. You do not see this error very often today, as the law has been in operation since before most players (certainly most of our team) were born. I remember when it first came in, around 1993. There were not as many free kicks as might have been expected then either, but plenty of goals caused by the keeper dithering because he could not remember quickly enough what he was supposed to do.

James Gardiner supplied the necessary first touch, for Jack Phillips to blast home and put himself into the position of top scorer.

Jack Phillips puts away James Gardiner's free kick

With the shortage of players, Assistant Manager Neil Black, who has mainly been concentrating on coaching, joined the squad.

Neil Black

This win turned out to be necessary, with both New Mills below us and Radcliffe Borough above us winning. Padiham won too: although they cannot escape the relegation positions, they are still in competition to claim the second from bottom position eligible for a possible reprieve.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 4 (Prince pen, Jenkins, Phillips 2), Farsley AFC 0.

Over dressed for the weather conditions

Easter Monday dawned cold and misty, and the forecast was for the temperature not to improve, so a jacket and coat was in order for Prescot Cables' trip to Warrington Town. Dr Phil was back in the country, and advised soon-to-be-Dr James and me that he would be in the Prince of Wales. It is no establishment for a CAMRA member, so I had no intention of joining him there. Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, was already in the Lower Angel with his wife, Sharon, so we rescued Phil joined them, with the beer being up to the usual high standards.

A bus would have left us hanging around at the ground for a long time, so we took an eye wateringly expensive taxi (£12 for 1.7 miles, although there were five of us to share the cost). As we passed the Prince of Wales on the way to the rank, there seemed to be a fight going on outside.

The weather improved beyond the forecast, and those who left home later than me were dressed for the summer. How would we recognise Shaun Reid if he was not wearing a jumper?

Ah, there he is.

Car breakdown service from the Aaaaaay Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Mr Reid can be sensitive to the crowd, and he seemed quieter after his instructions were greeted with impersonations from the visiting supporters. That was not an unqualified success, as the hosts seemed to play better when left to their own devices.

The ground had a few reminders of the FA Cup game in November, the most visible being orange temporary fencing where the BBC needed to remove part of the wall to get equipment on the pitch.

Ben Morrow

A rule of commentary observed by the late cricket commentator Richie Benaud was, "there are no teams called 'we' and 'they'". This blog does claim commentary or impartiality, so I am happy saying "we" started the first half with the sun behind us - good for the players, but the lighting is tricky with the players entirely backlit.

Danny Flood

Some shots worked quite well with partial shadow.

Andy Harper

The hosts were awarded a penalty after a quarter of an hour, with Ben Wharton sending Ben Morrow the wrong way.

Lighting was easier for the second half.

James McCulloch

The players made it easier with some good runs ...

Sam Corlett

... but we were unable to convert pressure to goals.

Liam Dodd makes an attempt on goal

Towards the end of the game, with all our substitutes used, Liam Hollett needed lengthy treatment for a recurrence of a stomach muscle injury picked up against Salford a couple of weeks previously. He reported afterwards that he thought it was probably the end of his season, so we look forward to seeing him back in action after the summer.

Liam Hollett

A second goal from Ben Wharton produced a result that was probably in line with current form.

After the game, we headed back to the town centre, where Richie led us to the Friar Penketh, one of the few places for decent beer in the town centre (I believe the Lower Angel is closed in the early evening on bank holidays). This led to an anti Wetherspoon  revolt from James and Phil, so I adjourned with them to the Blue Bell, with benches outside where we could observe a surprising number of people finding the adjacent water feature something of a bank holiday attraction.

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

Final score: Warrington Town 2 Prescot Cables 0.

Dive bombed by a seagull

After Prescot Cables' disappointing performance at Ossett Albion, the game in midweek against Lancaster City was ripe for a comeback, and I would be unable to be there to see it. So it proved, with a late goal from Jack Phillips securing the win, and with New Mills' game postponed due to the weather, they would need two wins over and above anything we are able to do in our remaining games to catch us.

The rain had eased off (although not apparently in New Mills) for Holy Saturday and the visit of Scarborough Athletic. This was the fifth year in a row we have been at home on this day, which has been convenient for me, as I can do my bit to help get the church ready for the Easter Vigil in the evening before heading to the game, and, more importantly, get back afterwards for the service.

We started with a fairly overcast sky, so shutter speeds were a bit low.

Liam Hollett - note the motion blur on the ball

We have touched before in these pages on the behaviour of seagulls in various coastal towns, speculating that it depends on whether visitors lead them to expect food from people. A friend in Devon reported one trying to put its beak in his mouth to get at the food he was eating. Gulls in Scarborough, such as the specimen illustrated on the visitors' club badge, have been trained by Yorkshire visitors keen on eating the chips they had paid good money for to go and look for their food in the sea. 

Their team are rather more robust than their seagulls, but scoring was opened by Jack Phillips, carrying on from where he left off in midweek. I did not see much more than in midweek, as one of the opposition was in the way of the camera, although fortunately not in the way of the goal.

Jack Phillips shoots for goal - honest!

There were a couple of opportunities to extend the lead, with Jack shooting over the bar, and Joe Evans having a shot saved.

Joe Evans

The sun came out for the second half.

Andy Harper

James McCulloch's father, Kevin, brings his dog Jazz to games in the warmer weather. She enjoys a run on the gasworks side, but found the stand side a bit more constraining, entertaining us by slipping her lead and running on to the pitch. Eastleigh supporter and groundhopper Callum caught it on film.

No Jazz, you can't chase James, he's one of ours!

Scarborough continued to press, so we were pleased when Jack Phillips struck again 15 minutes from time. I missed this too, a long range shot from the touchline, which seemed to take ages to go in. Unfortunately, this seemed to cause a loss of concentration: it is the time when experienced heads are useful to keep everyone steady. Ryan Blott imposed himself on the landscape with a goal for the visitors just over a minute later.

We were on the back foot after this, although not without opportunities, with James Edgar having the best opportunity but only able to find the goalkeeper.

James Edgar

The visitors seized a point with a last minute goal. We were naturally disappointed not to have held on for a win, but we would have been happy with a point at the beginning of the game, and it makes one more result New Mills need to get to catch us up. Results elsewhere meant that Padiham are now unable to finish outside the relegation positions.

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

Finally, congratulations are due to my refereeing pharmacologist friend James, who has passed his viva for his PhD. Given his passing resemblance to a particular mediaeval monarch, we are glad he did not visit Kings Lynn Town, due to the risk of losing his thesis in the Wash.

Final score: Prescot Cables 2 (Phillips 2) Scarborough Athletic 2

Showers, heavy at times

For Prescot Cables' game away at Ossett Albion. I had something to do in the morning, so I took a late train to get there just before kick off. There was a police presence between Huddersfield and Dewsbury, although not I suspect for non league supporters attending an inter county fixture, but more likely keeping an eye on what can sometimes be an unruly rail based pub crawl.

Although I was not on one, Arriva's shiny new vehicles with leather seats and WiFi came in handy. The construction of Dewsbury Bus Station approaches a Faraday cage, as I found out when I could not get a mobile signal to validate my m-ticket. The solution was to sidle up to one of the new buses and use its WiFi footprint, hoping it would not depart before I had finished.

At this time of year we are usually past the season for postponements, but there had been heavy rain overnight. One postponement was Warrington Town v Darlington 1883, the decision taken early to avoid the away supporters making a long wasted journey. Errr...

Arriving in Ossett, I was greeted by what might be called a drying wind - one of the few occasions I thought a monopod might be useful as I was being buffeted by the strong crosswind. Watching the players warm up, and able to shelter behind a wall, it was, however , pleasantly warm. The game started in bright sunshine.

Neil Prince

The home goalkeeper took an early knock gathering the ball at the feet of Jack Phillips, who did his best to jump out of the way.

Jack Phillips is unable to avoid colliding with Brett Souter

The weather was not to last: the forecast predicted light showers, but what came down in the last 20 minutes of the first half was anything but light and a bit long for a shower. The photo effects were good but I was glad not to be playing in it. There is cover at the clubhouse end, even if the wind was blowing the rain through the small gap between the stand and the groundsman's shed.

James McCulloch

When it is windy and raining, you can usually find a wall behind which to shelter, which I did, aided by a tree. Our club solicitor, Peter Kneale, was reminiscing about when he first visited the ground in the eighties with his father, and it was open on the cricket club side, rather than the current rather narrow terracing.

The rain eased off for the second half, and we were soon back in sunshine.

Liam Dodd

It was a frustrating half, we were unable to make an attack count, and fell to a goal from the hosts in the last ten minutes - a disappointing result after playing so well and nearly securing a point against Salford in midweek.

Leaving the ground, there is a vestige of the days Peter was referring to, as the exit gate takes you straight on to the cricket club's outfield.

After refreshment in the Tap, I caught the bus back to Dewsbury. Travel apps are improving all the time, but I have yet to find one that is completely reliable. In West Yorkshire, nextbuses.mobi based apps give real time information, not just timetables. You might think the operator's own app would be up to date, as they want to know where their buses are, but that did not seem to be so with Arriva. I have found them previously to be a couple of minutes behind real time. This time, the bus was 10 minutes late, correctly recorded by nextbuses.mobi, whereas Arriva had it as running on time, and then disappearing from view altogether.

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

Final score: Ossett Albion 1 Prescot Cables 0

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).