On the shores of an orange canal

The name of the Staffordshire town of Kidsgrove suggests a scene of baby goats gambolling amongst the trees, so I was pleased when I arrived and found just that - on Kidsgrove Athletic's club badge.

Pre season friendly games are usually a mixture of visiting opponents in lower divisions and entertaining sides from higher up the Pyramid. Kidsgrove, however, having been Prescot Cables' regular competitors in the North West Counties League, play at the same level as us, in the EvoStik League Division 1 South. Where it is geographically practical, playing a club at the same level makes sense, as it gives the players a test against the sort of opposition they will face in the regular season.

Last week I had to negotiate the bus fare, but this trip was all by train, so that should be simpler. The ticket machine offered me an Anytime Return for £14.40. However, this being Saturday, an Off Peak Return was also available - for £14.70.

The history page on the club's website tells us the club was founded in the Blue Bell Inn, which is in the Good Beer Guide, so it seemed rude not to pop in. When I am travelling on my own, I prefer my refreshment after the game, but the pub is closed in the early evening, so I called in on my way to the ground.

The ground is unusual at this level in having seats and some cover on all four sides, so I could sit and get the lens that couple of feet lower for most of the game. The sun was good for photos, although not so good for the Prescot players, as it was behind the goal Prescot were attacking for the first half, and had moved round to the side for the second, giving a slight advantage to a team that wins the toss and chooses ends wisely.

By this time in the pre season, a team is well on the way to emerging, and I start to remember the names of new players who have played in for most of the games, and look likely to be included in the manager's plans for the season (cue someone pointing out I have got a name wrong).

Joe Evans keeps Kidsgrove's keeper busy

Andy McCoy

A favourite for many supporters is back in training.

Paul Cliff

The game was an encouraging draw against a club that finished just outside the playoff places last season, with a first half goal from Kidsgrove cancelled out by James Thomas in the second.

You do not often see the goalkeeper heading the ball, but Stephen Longrigg is quite prepared to come off his line to deal with a threat, and occasionally finds himself in a situation where hands are unavailable.

Like most non League supporters, this blog does not feel the need to wear the latest kit, and is in favour of re-using a t-shirt ...

The Management keep a close eye on play

... but we would rather not remember where we finished that season!

Finally, an explanation for the title of this post. The quickest way from the station to the Blue Bell is the towpath of the Trent & Mersey Canal, whose water here has a rusty hue, caused by underground iron deposits leaching into the water from James Brindley's abandoned Harecastle Tunnel, the later Thomas Telford tunnel on the left being still in use.

Harecastle Tunnels

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