Los Marineros

Although I am not a fan of televised sport, I followed a decent chunk of the World Cup, and supported Chile when there was not much English interest left in the competition. So, that was more or less from the start, then. In a World Cup year, the football I can go and watch starts in the last week or so of the competition. I wanted to get back into practice taking and editing photos (reflexes can go rusty surprisingly quickly), which is easier with no-one expecting output, so I went to watch Marine entertain Chester FC. I was not the only person who had been following the Chileans.

I took up position behind the goal Marine were attacking.

Believe it or not from the pictures, Chester were playing in purple. I always have trouble with this colour on the camera - there are many times I have taken pictures in the countryside or a park and spotted an attractive lilac flower, only to find when I have got it home it has turned out blue. I could shoot in Raw format and tweak the colour grading, which is all very well for a single bloom, but not so practical for getting 60 sports pictures out whilst people still remember the game.

In the early pre season games, team sheets are not as regularly handed around as in the normal season. Managers may not want to alert the competition that they are trying out a player who has not yet signed registration forms. Not that such things are exactly a secret for long, this is an environment where everyone knows everyone else, and we are a gossipy bunch.

Marine have a new manager after last season's brush with the relegation positions, and anyway, I had not seen them play for 18 months, so I was not expecting to find anyone I recognised. I did, however, recognise the visitors' Jamie Menagh, who played a few games for Prescot before signing for Chester.

It looked as though the match officials were from the Conference panel, so they were wired for sound, although the can of foam has yet to reach this level.

In the past referees tended to avoid giving cards in pre season games, asking for a player to be substituted, therefore not attracting fines and suspensions. However, the authorities are more strict these days, and Chester's second half goalkeeper Jon Worsnop was sent off for handling outside the area.

The report on Chester First indicated that this will not attract a suspension, which is fair for a technical rather than violent offence. Former Scottish international Chris Iwelumo went in goal, after a few minutes of amusing attempts to find a suitable shirt and gloves.

Not many grounds provide the opportunity for the players to line up with the advertising boards, although I am not sure this ball would clear the bus.

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

Final score: Marine 2; Chester 4.