Stepping on our blue suede shoes

There was reason for optimism ahead of Prescot Cables' game against Clitheroe. Our last game was a morale boosting win against Padiham, and Clitheroe's league position suggested that this could be winnable. There was also the club Christmas party in the evening, with an Elvis tribute act. Ah, hang on, not that Elvis.

Both sides had been affected by the weather: the visitors last played 21 days previously, and we had to wait 14 days. Many supporters were unsure whether this game would go ahead, as it had been raining heavily until the small hours of the morning. On arrival, we could see the benefits of having the ground to ourselves: we can postpone Reserve games to avoid damage to the pitch, whereas for AFC Liverpool the referee only considered whether it was playable on the day, not the medium term good of the surface.

The day was reasonably bright, and the evenings had been getting lighter for a week or so. I have observed this before, but did not know the reason. However, the BBC have published a handy explanation.

We started well enough, with some decent attacks and Mason Ryan having a shot saved. However, the visitors started to get into the game after about a quarter of an hour, and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession just before half time. This was not irretrievable, and there was an increase in tempo early in the second half when Sam Corlett and new signing Oscar Durnin came on.

Oscar Durnin

It was not to last, Clitheroe's third goal starting the collapse, with three more being added in the next 15 minutes or so. Even a late penalty brought no relief when Rob Doran hit the crossbar and one of our players was adjudged to be offside in the resulting scramble for the rebound.

In a one sided game it can be difficult to get usable pictures, the collection this week was smaller than the 60 I usually aim for. It was not easy finding some for the Merseymart either. I send four: they need to be the right shape for the space, and I make sure they are of different players - without that restriction I could have provided a complete set featuring Jack Phillips.

Jack Phillips

Rob Doran

Daniel Whitehall

James McCulloch

I found the four above, only to realise in the newsagent's on Tuesday that they do not do a Merseymart in Christmas week.

I did not make it to the party in the end, not shifting from the pub after the game. I saw a couple of pictures, and it looked well attended. I first heard of Elvis when he died, but it looked as though people for whom he was the background to their formative years like to turn out for a tribute act. The moment of the day for me came when a gentleman came round the pub selling clothes of what may have been suspect provenance. Our friend Tony responded with a completely straight face and asked, "Have you got any lawnmowers?".

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 0, Clitheroe 6

Five goals and a shin pad

Prescot Cables' game against Padiham at the weekend was one we had to win. Our visitors have not had a good start to the season, and are below us in the table, and we needed to end a string of defeats.

I continued my experiment from the previous week of working without a lens filter. I did not see any dramatic changes: the pictures seemed a bit washed out straight off the camera, but it was an overcast day, so that was only to be expected, and enhancing the lighting on the computer sorted that out. With five goals for us and one for the opposition, I did not do very well capturing them, but that will not have been down to filters.

Mason Ryan wasted no time in opening the scoring: not only I not capture the goal, I did not get a decent picture of him until some minutes later.

Mason Ryan

Next, Jack Phillips, of whom more later, was brought down for a penalty. Rob Doran stepped up to take it with his usual unflappable demeanour

Rob Doran prepares to take a penalty

The need for a second goal of which Neil Prince spoke a couple of weeks ago became apparent at the beginning of the second half, when we conceded a penalty, converted by former Blackpool, Southampton and Preston North End player Brett Ormerod. The game remained fairly even until Neil Prince brought on Sam Corlett and himself. A ball from Sam found Jack Phillips who shot from just outside the area. I was in front of the tea bar, and in the wrong position to catch this - a three quarter shot from behind only works if you can see what the player is aiming at (particularly the goalkeeper preparing for a save).

Jack was also involved in a You are the Ref moment, when he lost a shin pad, and naturally carried on playing. I understand the problem keeping them in place, I can walk 100 yards to the bus stop in long socks and wonder why I have cold ankles when I get there, although I do not wear shin pads, even on the 10A. The assistant referee flagged vigorously, explaining, to the mirth of those in earshot, that it was an indirect free kick for attempting to play the ball whilst not wearing the correct equipment. The referee did not look convinced, but restarted play in this manner, whilst Jack retrieved the offending shin pad. I trotted off to consult my refereeing pharmacologist friend James, who was standing behind the goal. The light was good enough to get a few pictures whilst I was there.

Sam Corlett

He had not noticed what the free kick was for, and thought it was like a question on the referees' examinations. Technology puts the Laws of the Game a couple of taps away, so we consulted. The only related free kick is for failing to leave the field to rectify equipment when instructed to do so or continuing to wear unauthorised clothing after being instructed to remove it: for missing items, play need not be stopped. However, if a player is instructed to leave the field in a break in play, he is out of action until the next break, unlike treatment for an injury, where the referee can permit him to return as soon as play has restarted.

Jack Phillips

It is often said that when your luck is out, it is properly out, and this was the case for the visitors, when they conceded an own goal. I do not as a rule include pictures in that situation, I concentrate on our own players (which can include coming off better in a challenge or outwitting the opposition), and dog shots are reserved for opposition players who have been particularly annoying.

In the final kick of the game, Andy Griffiths made the result complete with a long range shot that bounced off the upright and went in.

Andy Griffiths

This was a morale boosting win, opening up a gap over a team below us, and helping with our goal difference, which is significantly better than most of the teams around us. When you and your friends are being pursued by a bear, you do not need to run faster than the bear, you just need to run faster than your friends.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 5 (Ryan, Doran pen, Phillips, Own Goal, Griffiths), Padiham 1

It was the cooling hour

I remember Droylsden was for many years the address on the label on Golden Shred (and other Robertson's products, my mother and I found Golden Shred's peel somewhat insubstantial, and bought something with a thicker cut). Wikipedia was not forthcoming as to the derivation of the name, so we remain in ignorance as to what are Droyls, and why they should form a den. It tells us, however, that the locals traditionally brought a pig to the local carnival, and sat it on a wall to watch. I do not know if this is maintained for any games, but the walls on this occasion were free of livestock.

A new venue for refreshment in Manchester on the way was the Soup Kitchen, which concentrates on food (including soup) during the day, but has an excellent bar. My travelling companions went for First Chop Caramel IPA, which they declared to be excellent. I was Slightly Foxed by a London Porter from Yorkshire, so I had a pint, and was similarly impressed.

Droylsden had a bad time last season - when Ged Murphy left us to return there, I thought his task would be to get a couple of wins to boost morale, and ensure they did not continue the slide this season. That looks to have been a success, with the club in the pack chasing the playoff positions.

I took up position behind the goal we were attacking, where a small group of home supporters were cheerfully singing, especially at any of their number heading to the tea bar, which I found at half time to be probably the only place I have seen the roll buttered for a cheeseburger.

Sam Corlett

After looking up the question of using filters as lens protectors last week, I thought I would try without (with a hood). None of my pharmacologist friends were present: they would have been able to tell me that when conducting an experiment, it is best to change one variable at a time. Droylsden's Conference standard floodlights, a corner arrangement with six heads per pylon, all working, cast an unusually even light. They were switched on from the start, and I was able to get shots the full length of the pitch.

Tom Quinn

Our hosts immediately imposed themselves on the game, with a goal in the first minute, and a second from a penalty shortly afterwards. However, Rob Doran was back from injury, and pulled a goal back after a quarter of an hour, cancelled out by another home goal after half an hour.

Rob Doram

The good light meant the match officials could keep a close eye on the feet for any trips, although possibly not to see any holding.

The hosts get to grips with Daniel Whitehall

For the second half I started in front of the main stand...

Jack Phillips

... worked my way round to the other side...

James McCulloch

...and then to behind the goal we were attacking.

Mason Ryan

The even nature of the light meant that even from there, I was able to capture action from the touchlines, which is not easy under most of the lights in our division. The mist that had been present all game was becoming more noticeable by the end.

Andy Griffiths

Despite playing with gusto in the half, particularly after the hosts were reduced to ten men following a dangerous challenge on Jack Phillips, and having a couple of decent chances, we were unable to prevent Droylsden adding a fourth.

Catching the train home, passengers may have been inconvenienced when Sarcastic Sarah, the automated announcer, indicated the train would not today be calling at Liverpool South Parkway. However, alternative provision had been made, as she advised that the train would be calling additionally at ... Liverpool South Parkway.

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

As for the title - the family of Lord Byron (but not the poet himself) lived nearby, Clayton Hall tram stop is named after their home, so a random quotation seemed in order, and the temperature dropped significantly during the game, although still mild for the time of year.

Final score: Droylsden 4, Prescot Cables 1 (Doran)