First day back

The first match of the pre season programme can sometimes seem like the first day back at school. Of course, at school, there was less mystery about who would be back. Non contract players' registrations terminate at the end of the season, so they are under no obligation to return. The manager will be keen to keep his cards close to his chest before the first game, as he will not want to attract other clubs to players who have not yet signed a registration form.

It was a desire to see who had returned, and the excellent pubs in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, that took a small but select group from the Cables Train Crew to Prescot's first pre season game at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Despite being the first to arrive in Manchester, I was the last to make it to Chorlton, due to a misunderstanding over where we would catch the tram replacement bus. I made it in time to enjoy a pint of Ginger Marble in the Beer House.

The Train Crew arrive at the ground. Photo by Chorlton's gate steward.

A few years ago, West Didsbury planned to merge with East Chorlton. This did not happen, as East Chorlton folded, selling their ground, on a large parcel of land, to West Didsbury, who added Chorlton to their name in recognition. The ground is fairly basic, but they are taking methodical steps to upgrade - land cleared for covered standing, planning permission for junior pitches, and the clubhouse built with room for expansion. The clubhouse had an impressive display of their history, which made you feel you are in a football club, something often lacking in modern grounds.

We were pleasantly surprised how many players had elected to remain. The starting XI was substantially last year's team, with a start for Connor McCarthy, after a number of substitute appearances last season, and two promising new players, Phil Williams, who completed 90 minutes in the heat, and Isaac Kosoluka, who scored the second goal of the day.

Phil Williams, watched by Warren Jones

Isaac Kosoluka

I find the weather in Manchester to be characterised by humidity and a lack of breeze, so on a hot day it was going to be a test for everyone. As there was no shade at the end we were attacking, I took up position by our dugout, where the covered terracing is to go. Not that I am sure it would have helped, prefabricated terracing is often delivered painted black. This was a slightly unusual position for me, and I got more pictures of central defence and midfield, but only one usable picture of Enzo Benn at left back.

Enzo Benn

Despite an unobstructed view of Ged Murphy, I missed his goal, due to checking the team sheet at the time!

Ged Murphy

For the second half, a number of more experienced players went off. For me, conditions improved, as we were attacking the end with the shade. The disadvantage was that a team with a good finish to last season was effectively replaced by one playing together for the first time, so West Didsbury had a lot more of the play.

Second half goalkeeper, Connor Backhouse

Prescot maintained the habit we formed last season of playing to the end, and were rewarded with a 90th minute goal from a Dave Dempsey free kick on the edge of the area. Phil the Pharmacologist got it on philm, so you can judge for yourself whether it went in directly from the free kick, or if Connor McCarthy made the decisive finish (you might need to be on Facebook to view it).

Dave Dempsey

Connor McCarthy

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

At this time of year, there will be those who are not back with us, having passed away in the close season. One such this year was stalwart Dulwich Hamlet supporter Pat Mitchell, who ran the Supporters' Club for many years with her late husband Ron. Pat had been too frail to attend matches for some years, but she always enthusiastically telephoned Bill Azzi for a report at the final whistle. When I started watching Dulwich, she was selling programmes, helping Ron with the "goals-a-plenty" sponsorship scheme, and encouraging the team (with the emphasis on sound defence, a regular call was "mark up Dulwich") accompanied by her traditional wooden rattle. My thoughts are with the Mitchell family, who suffered a further loss when Pat's son John died suddenly a couple of days after her funeral.