Young Tigers

Prior to Prescot Cables' home game against Ossett Albion at the weekend, the club held a Young Tigers' Day, a range of children's events organised by volunteer Dermot Allister with support from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, Prescot Town Council Community Fund, and the Mayor of Knowsley's Magic Fund. This sort of event helps to raise the profile of the club in the community, and hopefully encourages a new generation of supporters, with under 16s admitted free to league games. The centrepiece was the creation of a mural at the Hope Street end.

Harry poses in front of the mural

Some of the children participated in a penalty shoot out, with certificates presented by the Mayor of Prescot, Councillor David Rigby, who looked as though he enjoyed his visit.

Club Secretary Doug Lace escorts the Mayor and Mayoress

Elsewhere, Liverpool were playing at home at 3pm, the traffic for which adds 15 minutes to my normal journey. Unlike when I started watching Cables in the 1990s, when it was every other week, it is now an occasional event that I forget to check is happening, and have to rush as a result. On arrival, I took up position in front of the tea bar, where a number of the Train Crew had gathered.

About half way through, I headed for my more usual position behind the goal. On my way, I found myself level with Connor McCarthy advancing towards goal - a common enough sight. Ossett's goalkeeper was perilously close to the edge of his area, so using his hands was not an option. This picture does not really show the ball (it is behind the keeper's right elbow), so did not make it in to the final collection.

Connor took advantage, as he calmly put it away.

My former companions remained in their position.

All eyes are on Isaac Kusoloka

At half time, I sometimes take some pictures of the substitutes warming up. I do not do posed portraits, but I sometimes catch a good one when the subject is not necessarily aware. I had to tweak the lighting on this quite considerably, as Enzo was in the shadow of the stand, with the sun on the pitch behind him.

Enzo Benn

Also at half time, I bumped into Jon Bathurst, now with Rhyl, who did not have a game. It is always good to see former players (well, most of them): it indicates the regard with which the club is held that they still come to watch when they have time available.

In the non League game, we are seeing an increasing number of players from Football and Premier League academies, either having been released or being sent on load for match practice. One such addition to the squad, making his first start, is Jamie Menagh, who has been involved with with Stoke City and Blackpool. Jamie was involved in the incident that led to Ossett's second dismissal (we were mystified by what the first, immediately after Connor McCarthy's second goal, had been for). I got a clear, if slightly out of focus view.

Given the position of the Ossett player's leg, and that he approached with some speed, we can see why the referee adjudged the challenge to be reckless.

The rest of the pictures can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 3 (McCarthy 3) Ossett Albion 2.