All human life was there

Prescot Cables' party for the trip to Bamber Bridge was somewhat depleted by work commitments. One of the Train Crew was testing pharmaceuticals in a top secret tunnel under the Swiss Alps, and another was offered a decent rate for overtime. From the players, Sean Myler was on an unavoidable training course with work: we have all been on those, and in many cases would rather they had been avoidable. Actually, I made the tunnel up, but the rest is true enough. So, it was just Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, and I who met at Preston. I got there on a train going to Blackpool: a hen party dressed as Brownies joined the train at Wigan, doubtless keeping the new promise to be true to themselves.

The Black Horse had kept its rooms and divisions from the Victorian era. We took seats in the Smoke Room (for our most upmarket Victorians, with a fireplace and a door to separate it from the bar) to the sounds of an Australian stag party, complete with a groom with ball and chain, coming from the next room. Unfortunately, this was a Robinsons house, not a favourite brewery for either of us. The Market Tavern, with beers from Hart and Bowland, has also kept its historic interior, with a couple of comfortable booths, from which we were able to watch discreetly as the elderly lady in the corner got up to dance to Gangnam Style on the jukebox.

The strangeness continued on arrival at the ground, with the home physio treating an elderly spectator, who appeared to have been hit by a ball in the pre match warm up. An ambulance was called as a precaution, but fortunately left after giving the gentleman a check up.

The programme had a striking cover. I am almost paranoid about including the ball and the player from head to toe (apart from for portraits), but this works well.

I took up position behind the goal we were attacking, getting some decent shots, including Connor McCarthy going for the ball with the goalkeeper, Stuart Barton.

The end of the ground away from the clubhouse has cover, but is not the most comfortable place for photography, as there is a low wall with advertising boards forming a higher barrier, so there is nowhere to lean comfortably. I therefore moved to the the side, in line with the edge of the penalty area. This position gives a clearer view of our own goalkeeper in action.

Nick Culkin

Being at the side of the pitch meant I was right in line with the controversial incident from the first half. Connor McCarthy was brought down, but was it a penalty, or a free kick, as the referee adjudged?

It is not often I get quite such a clear picture of a foul, but I think the referee got it right, the trip is outside the area. When I looked at the picture on the small screen on the camera, I took the other view, looking at the position of Connor's torso, rather than his feet. I think the divot from the encounter above may have added to the impression that the foul was inside the area.

The sun started to shine towards the end of the first half, with the usual backlighting effects.

Jonathon Lynch

Play was more even in the second half. With Bamber Bridge having scored early in the half and with 10 minutes to go, Mike Smith was fouled 25 yards out.

Connor McCarthy scored directly from the free kick. They replied five minutes later, and it looked as though that would be the final score, until the final minute of injury time, when Enzo Benn put the ball away in a traditional goalmouth scramble.

Enzo Benn

The picture of the day is from Bamber Bridge's Facebook page, by Stefan Willoughby.

Team captain James McCulloch is urging everyone to cut short their celebrations to use the remaining minute or so to try and score another goal and take home all three points. As it happened, the referee blew for time almost immediately after the kick off, but it is the spirit that makes this team so enjoyable to watch.

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