Watch the water roll down the drain

Features of life in a northern town, particularly in the West Riding, include hills and somewhat inclement weather. The Met Office app had been predicting dry weather, with the possibility of a little sun, for Prescot Cables' visit to Ossett Town. I was less convinced when I got to Huddersfield to change trains in heavy rain, but the hills can often trap weather, with something completely different on the other side. This seemed borne out on arrival in Dewsbury, with the sky looking considerably lighter and drier above the hills between there and Ossett.

Rob Doran, scorer of Prescot's goal

Our train crew was depleted by staff shortages, with only me making the journey by rail. Fortunately, Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, still led in this aspect, as he had posted what was to be our planned pub online, the Leggers Inn. It seemed a shame to waste the recommendation, so I took some refreshment before catching the bus to Ossett.

At the ground the promise of dry weather had not been entirely fulfilled, as there was a downpour shortly before I arrived, which caused concern for a couple of areas of the pitch. Fortunately, most of the water indeed rolled down the drain (with assistance from some of the club officials), allowing the referee to pass it as fit, even without a trip to the B&Q opposite for a bag of sand.

The cheerful young gentlemen running the tea bar seemed aware of the hazard that not many people will purchase, wiping out any profits with wasted stock. Orders for a burger resulted in one being taken out of the freezer, and therefore a wait for the finished product. However, they had some chips on the go, so I ordered a portion, with some pleasantly fruity curry sauce.

Fortunately we were attacking the bus station end in the first half, so I could take advantage of the seats whilst the light was good enough for pictures from behind the goal. This provides a good low camera position, and the chance to eat my chips between attacks (remember - food before photos).

Jordan Shirley

The low angle works well for close up shots too, providing I avoid getting the perimeter fence in view.

Isaac Kusoloka

Despite being in position for some good pictures, Mr Google thought one could do with improvement. Here is James McCulloch going for a header.

An automated process called Google Awesome thought it might be better with some snow.

"Awesome" was probably not the word I would have chosen. Besides, if I want pictures of our players performing in precipitation, I have chances to get them myself.

The floodlights augmented the natural light for most of the first half, and, as usual, for the second it was a case of finding the location with the best light, which seemed to be the side. Ossett have a pylon on each corner and one on each end of the half way line, with 5 heads on each, although the situation was complicated by some bulbs being out: I suspect it is quite difficult to change them, as the pylons do not fold down, and four of them are mobile phone masts (as this is Yorkshire, I hope one is from EE).

Given the good location in the first half and the complexities of lighting in the second, the final collection was more weighted towards the first than usual, with only 11 frames (of 60, if you do not count the snow scene) making it in from the second.

Sean Breen

When in Ossett, it is rude not to visit the Brewery Tap, so I adjourned there after the match to warm up in front of their wood fire, and for a pint of Ossett Brewery's Nervous Turkey. Most seasonal beers for December are dark winter warmers, but this is a light beer, just right to go with the industrial quantities of white meat one usually finds oneself eating at this time of year.

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

Final score: Ossett Town 2 Prescot Cables 1 (Doran)