A birthday win

Prescot Cables' game away to Mossley coincided with Dr Phil being back in the country for his 30th birthday. A number of us took our traditional 10:22 to the Station Buffet in Stalybridge. A couple of our party decided the queue looked a bit long, and led us to seek refreshment elsewhere. I was not entirely happy, as I had been looking forward to the selection in the buffet, but, it transpired, this was the only establishment in town that was open before midday.

On our return, we took advantage of the pleasant weather in the outdoor drinking area, the platform now being out of bounds for safety reasons, and awaited those who were coming on other trains. A couple of years ago, pubs on the Rail Ale Trail took measures to avoid being a major destination for stag parties, with some success, as the other customers seemed mainly to be real ale drinking supporters of FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge on the way to their game.

Unusually, there was a cider at less than 4%, so I had an Orchard Pig Marmalade Cider, a pleasant product, with the marmalade not overpowering the apples, although a bit rich for more than one in a session. Once in Mossley, after a more traditional beer in the Commercial, it was time to climb to the ground, a trap for the unwary: one turning looks as though it is not going anywhere, so it is easy to go in the wrong direction. I have done this in the dark, and have now done so in daylight with ten people following me.

Our Dutch friend Thom was with us: he has nearly finished his research in Liverpool, so will return to Nijmegen (and rejoin Dr Luke) thinking football at this level is played clinging to the side of a hill.

We have been fortunate with the weather in Mossley over the last few years, and it was again bright and sunny. We started playing into the sun.

Andy Paxton and Andy Harper

The supporters were in good spirits. Some spectators' attention wandered, being interested in Shane Glean on the wing...

... but less so by a Jonah O'Reilly free kick.

At the risk of sounding like a food and drink post, I was most satisfied with the chips and gravy from the tea bar at half time. In some places the gravy has an at best tenuous connection with meat, but Mossley's left the diner in no doubt, having tasty little bits of lamb floating in it.

This has not been a good hunting ground in the last few seasons, and it looked as though it may be the case again with a good performance not leading to goals. We had maintained a clean sheet, so a point was looking a distinct possibility.

In the 84th minute, Lloyd Dean, in his first game back from Clitheroe, struck for goal.

Lloyd Dean

I was by the side of the pitch, which is usually a good position to capture a goal. I did not get anything on this occasion, but I was in good place to capture the celebrations from the players and supporters.

After the goal we lived dangerously, allowing Mossley to break a bit too often, and looking as though we might come away with just the one point. However, some good saves and good work in defence ensured we kept our lead.

Marcus Burgess

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

Final score: Mossley 0 Prescot Cables 1 (Dean)