Back to the routine

Prescot Cables have an able and willing band of volunteers to handle jobs around the ground, and they come into their own over the close season. For the first pre season game, the ground looks neat and tidy, with a coat of paint here, a repair there. The weather has played its part this year, mainly warm and dry, with rain every few days to ensure the ground is neither saturated nor baked, which has worked wonders for the pitch. The departure of AFC Liverpool and their replacement with our own Reserves means less games, and more control over what we can do in bad weather, which should help maintaining its quality over the season.

Regular users of the 10A bus will not be surprised that, on my journey to the ground, one chap was greeting a number of people, including the driver, with "Alright George, how's your Dad?". They responded, so it is quite possible a larger than average number were called George, and their fathers were known to him.

Our first visitors were Runcorn Linnets of the North West Counties League. For these games, it is usual to bring out kits from storage that would not be used during the regular season due to advertising the wrong sponsors, etc. For this game, Prescot were playing in the rather smart 125th Anniversary kit, from the 2009-10 season - having referred to sponsors, it is worth mentioning that PMB Tools continue to support the club. I prefer a continuation of the pattern all round with a panel for the number rather than a plain back, but the number is enough of a contrast to avoid an accidental pass to the referee.

It is quite normal at this time of year for us to meet last season's players turning out for the opposition, as they are free agents until they have signed registration forms.

Richie Mottram in goal for Runcorn

There was no team sheet, so, although some faces were familiar from Saturday, the process of putting names to them is yet to begin. A couple more familiar faces made their first appearance, including Ciaran Gibson, who was on loan at St Helens Town for most of last season.

Ciaran Gibson

Having led by example in adding himself to the score sheet on Saturday, player-manager Neil Prince conducted operations from the dugout.

After a pleasant evening in the setting sun, we completed the game without recourse to the floodlights, although the exposures were getting a bit dark towards the end.

The first 70 minutes were encouraging, using what I suspect was the first choice of those players who are currently available, to establish a two goal lead. Substantial changes for both sides midway through the second half significantly altered the balance of the game, with the visitors able to score three in reply.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 2, Runcorn Linnets 3