Going and staying

Following our game at Lancaster, where we had performed well but been unable to secure a result, we were due another challenging game, hosting Farsley Celtic, who always field a strong, organised side, and are ruthless at ensuring opponents have no time on the ball. As it was, the news value of the game would be overshadowed by personnel changes afterwards.

For the photographer, this started as another bright and clear day, as we have been fortunate to enjoy this autumn, with the shadows further lengthening as expected in October.

Sam Staunton Turner

We were not without our chances in the first few minutes.

Jack Phillips shoots - unfortunately over the bar

However, Farsley started to impose themselves on the game, scoring their first after 15 minutes.

We were joined by some familiar faces in the crowd.

Bram Johnstone takes a throw in whilst Shaun Reid checks his eeeeeeeeeeeeee-mail

Whilst we had resisted strong pressure from the visitors, our chances were reduced just before half time when Jacob Jones brought down James Walshaw, conceding a penalty for Farsley's second goal, and being sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity.

The sun went in for most of the second half, making for a more even light.

James McCulloch

As feared at half time, retrieving the game was beyond us, and the visitors added a third ten minutes from time. Once again, we had been unable to build on good performances in the previous two games.

The following day, Andy Paxton announced a timetable for his resignation due to work commitments. His last game was to be in the Liverpool Senior Cup against Ashton Town on 2nd November. This drew attention to our being scheduled to play twice in two days, which has since been addressed. Balancing work with football is an issue faced by almost everyone at this level, and only the individual can assess whether the balance is working. If Andy feels his work commitments are preventing his addressing our performance issues, he is to be commended for stepping aside whilst the situation is, hopefully, retrievable, with a stronger squad than when he arrived, and he plans to stay involved with the club to continue some of his work off the field.

Andy Paxton retrieves the ball against Ossett Albion

We also heard during the week that Jack Phillips is leaving us to join Colwyn Bay. He has had a useful second spell with the club, and I think he will leave something of a gap. My duties involve serving the whole team, so I try to avoid having obvious favourite players, but I know Jack better than I do most, so I will look out for the opportunity to catch up with him and his brother Anthony when we do not have a game. In the meantime this blog wishes him well (apart from when he is playing against us of course).

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Farsley Celtic 3.