Fog bound

There was a sombre start to Prescot Cables' game against Kendal Town in the Integro Doodson Cup last Tuesday. The previous evening, Shaw Lane AFC player Dan Wilkinson collapsed on the pitch during their game at Brighouse Town, and died later in hospital. According to the British Heart Foundation, an average of 12 people under 35 die each week (most in their sleep) from undetected heart conditions. Each is devastating for their families and friends, but even those of us who never met Dan or saw him play will feel affected by his death occurring in our environment, and in this competition. My observance of the minute's silence was also not without a sense of relief that the person standing next to me was still with us - Jack Phillips' brother Anthony making what looks to be a good recovery from sudden life threatening illness earlier in the year.

There had been heavy rain earlier in the evening, with games in the Manchester area, including at Manchester City, having been postponed or abandoned. Looking at the cloud that settled over us, I suspected our game may not survive the weather.

As it was not raining yet, I went to the Gasworks Side. Jack Phillips was brought down on the edge of the area after about 10 minutes, and converted the resulting penalty.

Jack Phillips

The wet weather had brought out the wildlife, even larger than the specimens I have spent 15 years trying to stop flattening themselves under my back door (or teleporting through it) to invade my kitchen.

I am not sure if we have hedgehogs, er, hogging our hedges, but they would have plenty of tasty snacks.

The anticipated rain did not appear, but during the first half the mist was closing in to the extent that I changed my match prediction from abandoned due to rain to the same outcome due to fog.

Michael Simpson

I went back to the Gasworks Side for the second half, pausing for a couple of quick snaps behind the goal.

The visitors may have been used to this - I may have been unlucky on my trips to the Lake District, but mist seems not to be uncommon. In any event they scored twice to secure the tie.

Meanwhile the fog continued to thicken. I cannot remember if the test for visibility is seeing one touchline from the other or both goals from the half way line (the practical distinction is not large), but we were just about keeping within it.

Jonah O'Reilly

When the action came close enough to get a picture through the gloaming, the light reflected from the fog also prompted the camera to select a lower ISO setting than at a normal floodlit game, although I did not take advantage by increasing the shutter speed.

With the fog still closing in (fortunately, even if we had scored an equaliser, the game would have gone to penalties without extra time). I gave up about ten minutes from the end.

Impromptu treatment for cramp

After the game there were presentations for the Rogues & Rascals Barbershop Man of the Match and Warrington Motors Player of the Month awards. The former includes a voucher for a free haircut. Everyone on the field this evening looked tidy, but sometimes it is tempting to give the award to one of the opposition and tell them the barber will stay open to see them as an emergency. As for the Player of the Month, I suspect the sponsors are not quite so generous with free products.

The Rogues & Rascals background board is a bit narrow, so shoulders will be outside in most cases. The Warrington Motors board is wider, so both presenter and recipient can fit in front. That is no guarantee you have checked where they actually are.

James McCulloch receives the Player of the Month award - as shot

The published version - Photoshop is your friend!

There are ways in which defeat in this competition has a sliver lining - Kendal were rewarded with a trip to Workington on a Tuesday night in November, and have slightly more chance of the gate receipts covering everybody's costs than we would have.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Phillips pen) Kendal Town 2.