Seeing red

After the first round of the Integro League Cup, Gibbo from Atherton Collieries asked on a forum about the draw for the second round, as this was the first time his club had been in the competition. Although we have competed for some years, I too was unaware of the second round, as I cannot remember the last time I needed to know. However, a competitive fixture is a competitive fixture, and our first round game at home to Bamber Bridge drew a crowd of 165, which was our average gate for league games a couple of seasons ago.

As I arrived, I was invited into the board room to take a photograph of memorabilia to be presented to the club: a photograph of Bob Wilkinson, who was known as The Walloper because of his distinctive hat, a name that attached itself to the club. From Slacky Brow to Hope Street tells us Mr Wilkinson was "the club's number one supporter, whose bellowing cries and other antics were a source of entertainment for the crowd during the first 10 post-war years". Readers can decide for themselves who best maintains the tradition. Bob's grandson Garry Wilkinson presented the photograph to board room host Harry Boydell who remembered Bob's support when he was playing for the club in the 1947-48 season.

Garry Wilkinson presents a picture of his grandfather Bob "The Walloper" Wilkinson to Harry Boydell

I took up position by the side of a surprisingly dry pitch. I had noticed in the previous evening game against Trafford that I was getting slightly better exposures at ground level than from the terraces. This was to be a new challenge, as the visitors were in a red strip considerably less reflective than Trafford's white.

Andy Scarisbrick

A light coloured strip has considerably more influence on exposures than you might think. Most of the images I chose for the final collection came out at a higher ISO than 12800, although strictly speaking this is only a barrier saving jpg files, as it is the point above which the D5300 does not offer full noise reduction. As I rely on Photoshop Elements for noise reduction, the trade off between grain and the image looking like it has been generated by CGI is a gradual one.

Alan Burton 1/200s f/5.6 ISO18102

I set the black to the lowest setting before starting to lose definition, which is particularly effective when players are seen against the sky.

Reece McNally 1/200s f/5.3 ISO25600

The visitors scored from a penalty and a second goal in quick succession.

For part of the first half, I went behind the goal, from where results were limited. On my way back I noticed we now have a properly stripey pitch, as a result of the professional maintenance paid for from the Supporters on the Pitch scheme.

We came for the second half looking more competitive. We have recently seen Dominic Marie depart to Marine and Tunde Owolabi to Stalybridge Celtic, with this blog wishing them all the best in their future endeavours. This provided an opening for Josh Klein-Davies, who has been on the books for a few weeks and marked his competitive debut with a goal.

Josh Klein-Davies shoots for goal

The game was starting to look more open until a rather dubious refereeing decision. Harry Cain appeared to be brought down in the penalty area, in a position where it did not look particularly advantageous to dive, but was adjudged to have done so by the referee. As he had already collected a yellow card, we were down to 10 men. This completely changed the game with Bamber Bridge making full use of their one man advantage to inflict only our second home defeat of the 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 1 Bamber Bridge 4

Up hill and down dale

The plans a number of us made for a day out for Prescot Cables' game at Colne were complicated by rain. We heard on Friday evening that there would be a pitch inspection at 10:15, and heavy rain was forecast overnight. As it turned out, it was not as heavy as expected, so the game was on, leaving less time than we had planned to get there. Dr Phil had an Advance ticket from Edinburgh, arriving in Colne at lunchtime armed with a list of pubs. Being able to delay our departure, and losing a minute at every station due to the guard taking his time to emerge to open the doors, Dr James and I went straight to the ground, which vies with Mossley for the highest ground in the Division, although the latter has the steeper hill.

The gradient of the pitch drew comment from many. I looked at the elevation of the corners on Google Earth - clockwise from the turnstiles at the south west corner it gave, in metres, 198, 201, 198 and 195. I am not sure about their accuracy: there is hardly any drop between the corners at the top of the hill, and there definitely is one from south west to north east. Based on the figures and the evidence of my own eyes, I would estimate a 10 - 15 feet drop into the south east corner.

Valter Fernandes - the south east corner in the background

Winning the toss, we chose to play uphill. Teams often play with the conditions in the first half, as they could change in the second, although if the slope were to move during the game, any advantage in the second half would be a minor consideration. Dr Phil made the observation that we were playing against 12 men, 11 players and Sir Isaac Newton. Sitting on the ground at the top of a steep hill gives the chance to incorporate players into the scenery.

Harry Cain dominates the landscape

Catering establishments are often named after local landmarks. If this one was paying by the letter for their advert, they should have some money back.

Even allowing for the slope, we were making hard work of the first half and went in 2-0 down at half time.

Brian Richardson makes representations to the referee

Goalkeeping coach Garry Williams told me he was a bit surprised the game went ahead, as the lowest corner was particularly soft, describing it with the single word "squelch". There were shallow channels to drain water on to the hard standing, which here is well below the level of the pitch. One or two channels were still carrying flowing water.

Again, the slope made for a good photograph.

James McCulloch

I followed my normal practice of staying on the same physical side of the pitch for both halves so I catch the players on opposite sides of the team, with this being particularly marked on this occasion, with Valter Fernandes and Harry Cain dominating the first half pictures, and James McCulloch and Josef Faux prominent in the second.

Josef Faux

The hosts were adjudged to have handled on the goal line about a quarter of an hour in, and Jordan Wynne stepped up to take the penalty. The hosts remonstrated at length with the referee, then made a substitution, which gave Jordan a long time to think about his kick, with a not uncommon result.

Lloyd Dean came on shortly afterwards, and pulled a goal back - I did not manage a shot, and we were keen to restart quickly, so celebrations were brief.

Lloyd Dean

Despite making good use of the gradient, we were unable to finish for the second goal we needed to secure a point.

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

Final score: Colne 2 Prescot Cables 1 (Dean)

More goalkeepers than games

If I get behind updating these pages, sometimes events conspire to pinch a perfectly good gag. We will look at that later, but I arrived early for our Non League Day game in the FA Trophy at home to Trafford to catch a couple of players for their squad photos. I found Marcus Burgess, suspended after a dubious red card the previous week, assisting his replacement, Charlie Whittingham from Chorley, to acclimatise to his new goal.

Charlie Whittingham

The programme marked James McCulloch's 300th game for the club in midweek.

The Youth Team secured a superb victory in the FA Youth Cup in midweek, 3-1 against FC United of Manchester after extra time. I had been on hand aiming to capture the occasion, but the rain was the fine swirling type that gets under the camera cover and everywhere else, and has a worse effect even than fog on the pictures. Having drowned a camera in similar conditions a couple of years ago, I was not keen to repeat the experience, so I gave up after 20 minutes. The results of my limited efforts can be seen here.

FA Youth Cup v FC United of Manchester

As the rain started to fall this time, I feared I might have the same problem. However, this turned out to be a good honest downpour. With little wind, the rain was coming straight down, and a lot bounced off the camera cover and my clothes, although I must visit a waterproof trouser emporium. It is weather you can see.

Valter Fernandes

Baba Conteh opened the scoring after ten minutes with his first competitive goal for the club. I got what would have been quite a good shot, if he had been facing the other way!

Baba Conteh shoots for goal

The visitors came back and equalised through James Dean. However, more concerning events occurred a few minutes later, when Charlie Whittingham was injured in a collision. Although he carried on, as he limped off at half time we were concerned, justifiably, whether he would be able to play the second half. Reporting Lloyd Dean's spell in goal last week, I lined up a comment that I was surprised it was not Andy Scarisbrick, as he had played more or less everywhere else. My turn of phrase was overtaken by events when Andy once again demonstrated he is the man to send for when you need a gap filled without fuss, taking up position as our fourth goalkeeper in three games.

Goalkeeping coach Garry Williams briefs Andy Scarisbrick

With another goalkeeper getting used to the position, attack was the best form of defence, and we put ourselves ahead with a goal from Josef Faux twenty minutes in.

Josef Faux celebrates his goal

Lloyd Dean marked his 100th appearance with a goal four minutes later.

Lloyd Dean celebrates his goal

Solid work in defence and what Gareth Roberts of The Anfield Wrap called "some predictably unorthodox - but effective - goalkeeping" kept a clean sheet.

Defending in numbers

The Roanza Mercedes Truck and Van Man of the Match award went to Harry Cain for a tireless performance.

Harry Cain

I was a little confused as to whether we would also present the Player of the Month award, but no-one knew how to access the result, which is probably just as well, as voting was still going on.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website in reverse order here, and on Google Photos the right way round here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 3 (Conteh, Faux, Dean) Trafford 1.

The 90 degree goal scoring opportunity

Last weekend, Prescot Cables entertained Ossett Albion, who had not enjoyed a good start to the season. The weather was not particularly pleasant, with intermittent rain. I took up position on my polyethylene cushion, and turned those thoughts that were not on the game and avoiding being accidentally clattered to the desirability of new kit, namely waterproof trousers.

Programme editor Gareth Coates asked if I could crop a couple of pictures of club captain James McCulloch with a bit of extra space above his head so one could go on the cover for the following week's programme, marking his 300th appearance, which, all being well, would take place at Bamber Bridge in midweek. Fortunately, as he pointed out to me waiting in the tunnel, he was sporting a smart new haircut.

James McCulloch

We were attacking towards the Safari Park End. Once again, we scored before I was ready, with a goal from Alan Burton. Even when I tried to get the celebration, everyone was heading back to our own half.

Alan Burton

We looked to be having the better of the game until Marcus Burgess fell to an occupational hazard of goalkeeping, being sent off for handling outside his area.

Marcus Burgess in his area

The Laws of the Game are quite specific: the goalkeeper outside his penalty area is subject to the same handling restrictions as other players, so should only be sent off if handling denies a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity. Leaving aside the question of whether the handball was deliberate, for which my view was obstructed, the foul occurred next to the goal line at the edge of the penalty area, so if anyone scored from there, Ossett Albion's goal of the season committee could pack up for a few months, knowing their work was done. Even a yellow card for handling to break up a promising attack would have been stretching it. Visiting goalkeeper Brett Souter clearly agreed, as he trotted over to shake Marcus' hand as he left the field.

Most teams at this level do not keep a goalkeeper on the bench, as such a player would go for weeks without playing Saturday football. An outfield player will need to go in goal, and the lot fell to Lloyd Dean.

Lloyd Dean in his accustomed position ...

... and in goal.

A player who is not keeping goal regularly will take time to get used to the position, and whilst our defence protected well, we could not avoid the hosts scoring just before half time. We seemed more confident in the second half, with Lloyd growing in confidence and making some good saves in a Roanza Truck and Van Man of the Match winning performance.

I split my time in the second half, about half in front of the covered standing at the Eaton Street End, from where I seem to get a lot of good angles...

Josef Faux

... and the rest in the more lively position (with balls and players flying in my direction) in front of the fence on the Gasworks Side.

Tunde Owolabi

After some good play at both ends, we secured a point from a game that looked precarious half an hour in.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here (Pitchero displaying the most recent first again, grr), and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Burton) Ossett Albion 1

Blood and diesel

My trips to Ramsbottom United usually involve a detour between the tram and the bus for a Chadwick's black pudding from their stall on Bury Market. The final stage never seems as smooth as it looks on the timetable, this time featuring two buses arriving at the advertised time, only for both drivers to announce they were there for the next service 15 minutes hence. In Ramsbottom, they had been doing something that seemed a terrible waste of blood based comestibles.

The main event in town this weekend was the East Lancashire Railway Diesel Gala, causing a queue at the level crossing as I arrived. I paused briefly to listen to a Class 33 setting off, disappointed that the train was not heavy enough, nor the line speed high enough, to give the sound I remember from my local line as a child.

We played downhill in the first half. I intended to go the side away from the clubhouse, but took one look at the rigging holding up the net and decided against going behind it. Successful action photography needs to be unobtrusive, which is not achieved by demolishing the goal or being suspended in the net wearing orange high vis (also from Bury Market).

I therefore sat down in front of the wall. Legendary supporter Dave "The Monster" was behind me, paying close attention to our goal. "Clear it Angus!" "Good save Angus!" When I pointed out he should be referring to Marcus, he replied "same difference", which is probably not true if you are trying to attract his attention.

Marcus Burgess gathers at the feet of Tom Brooks

The standing on the cricket club side is quite narrow, with the fence close to the pitch, which makes the crowd appear particularly in focus, with everyone in a neat row. This is accentuated by my low photography position.

Josef Faux

The hosts retweeted my collection, and a few home supporters enjoyed picking themselves and their friends out in the crowd.

Chaps called Harry were well represented.

Harry Cain

Ramsbottom, like Mossley, is becoming one of those places where many of us enjoy the surroundings, but usually come away less happy with the result. Normal service was maintained when the hosts scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.

For the second half, I again decided not to navigate the assault course of the net rigging, and positioned myself to look downhill on the cricket club side.

Valter Fernandes runs down the wing for me - well, up really, it's quite a slope

Whilst the half was not without action, this was a game both sides would regard as less than classic.

I have neglected my photography of towns and surroundings for recent games, so, finding myself at the station when a couple of trains were due, I decided to get a few snaps, taking in the town, and back to the station to see the last service of the day, the final whistle (seriously nerdy railway joke).

40 145

Having then visited the Irwell Works Brewery, the buses were as unreliable as earlier in the day, so I got home an hour later than planned, which, if I had known could have been better spent in the pub.

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

Final score: Ramsbottom United 1 Prescot Cables 0.

Light and angles

We were joined for Prescot Cables' game at home to Trafford by the match and ball sponsors, the Rotary Club of Prescot. I was asked to try and catch a few shots around and about, but as they were in the crowd for the game, I did not manage to do so, and they brought a photographer anyway. They did, however, present the man of the match award.

Baba Conteh receives his award

At the previous evening game, I retreated behind the perimeter barrier once it got dark, but I decided this time I would see what results I would get staying pitchside for the whole game.

Tunde Owolabi

We were attacking the Safari Park End for the first half, so I went to my usual position. I was still on the way when James McCulloch opened the scoring. The time was given as three minutes, but it felt a lot quicker. Not only did I not catch the goal, but I did not get much of the celebration either.

James McCulloch

I worked my way around, first crossing to the other side of the goal, where I did not capture much at all. With the linesmen working on the opposite diagonal to normal, I then took up position a third of the way down the Gasworks Side. This gave the best results, with an angle I had not had before. You cannot get the stand in the background in the same way when you are standing up: having the camera three or four feet lower makes all the difference.

Valter Fernandes

I put the raw images through the Nikon ViewNX software, but I was not satisfied with the results, as the black in the kit was coming out grey. I therefore converted the raw files manually in Photoshop Elements, lowering the setting for the black until it was just starting to lose definition. It works with the sky too, and sitting underneath a throw in gives a striking angle.

For the second half, I started behind the goal at the Eaton Street End...

Jordan Wynne

... and worked my way round to the side. I added a new starter to the photographic record.

Reece McNally

Because of the diagonal the linesmen were using, I needed to shoot from the side just beyond the half way line, alongside our own half. I was happy with the results.

Harry Cain

Joey Faux made the result secure with a goal after 72 minutes.

Joey Faux celebrates his goal

Despite an injury time goal for the visitors, we ensured we would collect all six points for the season from a Trafford side who looked as though they had made progress since we beat them away at the beginning of the month.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website (placed in reverse order by the Pitchero uploader, grrr) here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 2 (McCulloch, Faux) Trafford 1.

Man of the match - eventually

For Prescot Cables' game at home to Brighouse Town, we were joined by Dr Phil, continuing to recruit to the Cables interest, and his friends from Edinburgh, Drs Benny, Tammy and Victoria (at least I think they are all PhDs). Benny had a full day of sport, having risen early to watch the Australian Rules Premiership semi final, where his West Coast Eagles lost 19.11 - 9.4 (I have no idea what that means either, but it sounds grim). He was looking to Cables to redeem the day: not generally a course of action I recommend. Checking the AFL website, I noticed a team nicknamed the Pies, but was disappointed this was short for Magpies, rather than a celebration of pastry encased comestibles.

My photographic day started with some of the players at Poco Coffee, sponsors of the player of the month award and official suppliers to yours truly when the tea bar cannot cut it. As we shot at the outside seats, an elderly couple at a window table looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying photobombing.

We played the first half towards the Safari Park End.

Lloyd Dean

Whilst we had chances, even the photographer with the flimsiest grasp of tactics (that would be me) will notice when most of the play is in your own half. Only a bit more than a third of the collection came from the first half.

There was welcome news at half time, when Danny Flood reported he was back on both feet. I took the chance to get his squad photo.

Danny Flood

Things picked up in the second half, with lots of pace on the wings from Tunde Owolabi and Harry Cain.

Tunde Owolabi

Harry was rewarded with a goal on the hour. When I told him later that I had not got a picture as there were other players in the way, he replied that it was not a particularly good one anyway. That may be the case, but there are no points for style, any goal will do. In any event, I got something.

That is Harry Cain's foot, honest

Although I like the way everyone is looking as the ball goes in, being able to identify the scorer is a requirement for the collection. However, I caught the celebration.

Our Australian visitors (Drs Benny and Tammy) were represented on the field when Joey Faux joined the fray.

Joey Faux

When you have your own banner, it is always good to get a shot with it in the background.

Andy Scarisbrick

Dogs are a regular part of the non league game - there are those who keep a close eye on the action when their human is playing.

Marcus Burgess under observation

We were able to keep some late pressure at bay to secure all three points.

Valter Fernandes applauds the crowd

We had an excellent performance from both wings, but consensus emerged that Harry Cain had earned the man of the match award by virtue of his winning goal. So far, so good, but there was less consensus on who would do the presentation, with my being advised there would not be one. The alternative view prevailed after I had gone that as Harry had won it, it was only fair to present it, which I found out when I was safely settled on the premises of our sponsor, the Sun Inn.

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 (Cain) Brighouse Town 0