Stationary

Bus timetables almost always allow the bus the same time to complete a route regardless of the time of day. There seems little consensus amongst companies, or drivers, on how to address when light traffic means the bus is ahead of time. Some set out late and have you standing at the start of the route; some race along and arrive early leaving prospective passengers at intermediate stops; others take extended pauses at every timetable point. My 10A to Prescot Cables' home game against Witton Albion took the third option, which meant we were passed by at least three buses taking one of the first two approaches. In the event, I might have preferred the bus to have stayed put for the evening.

Jack Cookson

To manage expectations, I thought this game would be likely to prove fruitless, barring a stellar performance on our part. Witton were narrowly relegated last season, and appear to have recruited well over the summer.

A club in our position can still be building a team in the first few weeks of the season, due to players becoming available from higher placed clubs, and to holiday commitments. In an ideal world, everyone would be away when there is no football, but particularly where people are tied to school holidays, players who have been training in pre season become unavailable for a few competitive games. At least three or four likely first choices were missing for this game.

I took up position, unusually for me, in front of the stand, so I could continue my conversation with Dr Jon. We thought the visitors shorts were a bit close in colour to our own, but agreed this was the least important part of the kit to avoid a clash.

Phil Bannister

Witton's shirts had a plain panel on the back, too make the numbers easier to read; however, this was negated by black numbers, which come out better in the photos than with the naked eye.

Joe Evans

As a result, I was alongside our own half.

Witton looked likely to stop us scoring, whereas we looked in danger at the back. Jonah O'Reilly was doing a reasonable job in defence, but had to go off injured after 18 minutes.

Jonah O'Reilly

With the visitors 3-0 ahead at half time, the second half would be about damage limitation, and we were none too successful, with Witton adding three more to their total. This was undoubtedly a poor performance, with some first choice players absent, and the team unable to perform as a unit, The result will not be good for morale, there is nothing like getting those first few points on the board, the priority now is to make sure it is a one off at the start of the season rather than anything worse.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Witton Albion 6.