Spennymoor, Bridlington, Brighouse, Town

Prescot Cables' recent itinerary has resembled a line from It's Grim Up North, an occupational hazard at this time of year: a couple of rounds of the FA Cup can leave you with a long run of away games. I therefore had mixed feelings when our game at Brighouse Town was brought forward from November to fill a date made vacant by our scheduled opponents still being in the Cup. It is a new ground for us - even Cliff, who has supported Cables since 1959, said he had never been there as he cheerfully contemplated the prospect, and playing now means there is little risk of a weather related postponement. On the other hand, this was the fifth weekend away in six weeks (with another to come next week), two of those being our longest away trips.

Some of our party wanted to watch Liverpool v Everton, so Richie, our leader in beer and pub choices, called ahead. The Barge, near the station, met our requirements - showing the game and serving real ale. They are Brighouse Town's shirt sponsor, and we were greeted by the club's impressively bearded kit man working behind the bar.

Phil Bannister, and the Brighouse kit

On arrival at the ground, we found a cheerful set of officials and volunteers, and a refreshingly non corporate sign.

The Train Crew assemble, having taken three different combinations of trains - photo by Brighouse's car park steward

The ground is quite compact, with cover, seated and standing, along most of one side. The only snag was the lack of a barrier between the main and training pitches, allowing a stray ball to travel even further than our own gasworks side. However, they had a ready supply of spares to stop this delaying the restart of play.

The game started well enough, with a goal from Sam Corlett.

Peter, Ken and Cliff consider Sam Corlett's options

It did not seem too much of a concern when Brighouse equalised, something from which we are more than capable of coming back. However, it went downhill from there, with a performance we would all rather forget, co-ordination seemed to have completely disappeared. When one player is having a bad day, the manager can make a substitution, but when the team is doing so, choices become more difficult. James McCulloch would not have been most people's first choice to substitute on individual grounds 30 minutes into the game, but it meant Phil Bannister took over as captain, with the possibility that this might change the team dynamic. I am not sure how effective this is likely to be, and it did not work on this occasion, but I can see the logic, if that was indeed the intention.

Half time, with the score at 3-1, provided probably the last chance to turn things around, and when Brighouse scored their fourth goal, my travelling companions adjourned to the Old Pond public house. I do not think I have ever left a game early on the ground of performance, although my attention was starting to wander.

I have found five weeks out of six on the road a bit of a bind. However, I do not have to train in midweek, I can travel at a time of my own choosing and relax before and after the game, an option not available to the players, so in my photos and posts I try to reflect the effort and commitment involved in playing for the club, even on an off day. So, here goes for a positive point. With the score standing at 6-1 in the final minute of normal time, our hosts let their guard slip, and Matty West was ready to pounce with a consolation goal.

Matty West

Having had one pleasant surprise, there was another thirty seconds after the restart, this time from Sam Corlett. Even when we have not been playing well, we play to the final whistle, and I believe in not neglecting goal difference - provided we can pick ourselves up and get the points of which I know we are capable.

Having rejoined the others in the Old Pond, a number headed to the town centre for post match refreshment, including in the Old Ship, a local landmark, so called because it was once rebuilt using timbers from, er, an old ship, HMS Donegal, broken up in 1925.

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

Final result: Brighouse Town 6, Prescot Cables 3 (Corlett 2, West)