Under the weather

The August Bank Holiday is a traditional time for clubs to play some of their more local games. This year, the bank holiday came after the the FA Cup Preliminary round, so there was the risk these fixtures would fall to Cup replays or postponements. The EvoStik League First Division North seemed to be particularly affected, partly due to waterlogged pitches on Saturday, with only three league games surviving.

Prescot Cables were at home to Cammell Laird after the exertions of the FA Cup game against AFC Liverpool at the weekend. The game survived a midday pitch inspection after heavy rain in the morning. Even so, conditions were still soft and slippery.

James McCulloch

Prescot were playing in the in normal amber home kit, as we did on Saturday against AFC Liverpool, so a mention is on order for Nick Arnold, who has taken over as kit man this season for having it all washed, dried and ready for use over a bank holiday weekend.

As with all local games, there was the usual collection of players who have played for us in the past.  Among them was John Riley, who I thought did not get the games his talents deserved when he was on our books, so it has been good to see him becoming established at Cammell Laird. Between him and Prescot's Davidson Banda, a player of similar pace and tenacity made for some good pictures.

Davidson Banda and John Riley

The conditions started dull and overcast, and went downhill from there, with the second half being completed in heavy rain.

When you have somewhere to shelter it makes for a good picture, but I do not envy the players being out in it.

Jack Webb

Cammell Laird made the best of the conditions with a couple of quick goals early in the second half, to which, despite a couple of shots on target, Prescot were unable to reply.

It was a disappointing result, against a team with whom, realistically, we are competing to ensure league survival, but it is still early in the season - the next test comes at the weekend with the first game against some industrial sized Yorkshirepersons at Ossett Town.

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