Double letters and crown greens

My journey to Prescot Cables' game at Kendal Town was, as expected at this time of year, disrupted by the number of slow moving people out and about. Although my trains were on time, every time I tried to use a few minutes' connection time for a coffee, too many people got in the way, so I did not get one until I arrived in Kendal, by which time I could physically feel the caffeine infusing my brain.

At the ground they had a problem with unwanted double letters.

Mr Photoshop makes it the work of a moment to rectify.

The steward by the gate looked puzzled as I took a picture of the sign. I am not sure why, as it is behaviour he must have seen before: I know half a dozen people off the top of my head who like to do so, particularly if they are visiting a new ground.

I had time to spare of a length that needs an English word (I wonder whether it has one in German), i.e. not quite long enough for a pint, arriving as the players were changing. Our previous visitors from South Shields recommended gloves from Viper Goalkeeping, their local supplier, so I was called upon to catch a couple of shots of Ben Barnes trying the samples in the warm up.

Ben Barnes

Ben was back in action, but looking to wear these leggings to cover stitches from his recent work injury. We made what may have been an error by asking the referee nicely if he could. The Laws state that undershorts must be the same colour as the main colour of the shorts. At this level, where players use their own time and money to purchase such garments, most referees allow a continuation of any colour on the shorts. However, if he had encountered the number of shoppers I had, I can see how a spot of jobsworthery would brighten up his day, so he took a strict interpretation.

There was plenty of room to move behind the goals, so I decided to try out both sides in the first half.

Lloyd Dean

I had got up to cross over when play quickly came towards me, so I took a few shots standing up. Only one made it onto the final collection, but this illustrates perfectly the difference you get with your vantage point being three feet lower - note how much of the background is the pitch.

Chris Almond

The opposite corner gives a lot of sky in the background.

Baba Conteh

I knew Kendal's ground has a slope, which has been handy for photography in the past, but I thought it was a constant gradient. It is only from sitting on the ground that I saw it slopes upwards from the Parkside Road end before sloping down just before the half way line. There is a point at the other end beyond which feet start to disappear.

Joe Herbert

A goal from Lloyd Dean five minutes before the end of the half put us ahead, but the spirited spell from the hosts in response suggested one might not be enough.

The lights at Kendal are quite good, and the cloud had cleared, so I knew the combination would allow me to try out the end at the bottom of the hill before I needed to move to the side. Looking up to the stand gave a good background.

Jordan Southworth

A second goal from Jordan Southworth as I was moving round to the side gave us an extra cushion, which would prove to be necessary ten minutes from time when Kendal pulled a goal back.

This was the first game back for James Edgar, who left us for a while at the beginning of the season to try his luck in Tommy Lawson's stockpile of players at Marine.

James Edgar returns to service

Josh Klein-Davies had come on as a substitute, and took the chance to make a claim for a start with a goal in the last minute.

Josh Klein-Davies shoots for goal

After the game, I stayed at the club until the players got on the coach, and discussed cold places we have been with video analysis student Josh - which in his case seemed to be most places away from his home in the tropics of Wigan, whereas I recalled how cold this fixture was last year. I completed my visit in the Ring O' Bells for their local beers, open fire, and first class entertainment from the regulars in the public bar.

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

Final score: Kendal Town 1 Prescot Cables 3 (Dean, Southworth, Klein-Davies)

Disrupted arrangements

Many Prescot Cables supporters were looking forward to visiting South Shields on the 9th December. Rooms, train tickets and minibuses had been booked, with deposits and fares paid, and we expected a large support. Two weeks ago, the fixture was switched by the league to the 25th November as Droylsden progressed in the FA Trophy and South Shields were knocked out, so our longest away trip was brought forward by a mere 2 weeks at short notice. We would have had difficulty raising a side, as many players needed more than two weeks' notice to get time off work or rearrange family matters. Fortunately, South Shields were prepared for the possibility of going anywhere if they had won in the Trophy, so we were able to play our home game this weekend, with the away game over the Easter bank holiday.

We have not been accustomed to top of the table clashes, but the league leaders were visiting third place, so I was not surprised to find two coaches parked outside with a third manoeuvring in as I arrived. We attracted an attendance of 418, including a flag bearer from Scarborough, who called in on the way back from his abortive trip to Colwyn Bay, where their game fell victim to a late downpour. Our Verti-Draining once again paid off, as the pitch, whilst heavy, had no standing water from the week's rain.

There were a number of photographers, including Andy Nunn, whose work I have seen with Dulwich Hamlet and various southern clubs, some way off his normal circuit representing the Non League Paper. You can see his pictures here.

The visitors were captained by Julio Arca, formerly of Sunderland and Middlesbrough, and Argentina at youth level. I was tempted to engage in Copa America related trolling by asking Rod the bugler to play the instrumental introduction of the Chilean national anthem, but I suspected it might not be in his repertoire.

Julio Arca pursues Jordan Wynne

Two photographers were with the visitors, and Andy joined them at the Roadshow End, so I had the sole lens trained from the Safari Park End.

Reece McNally

There was an extra fixing behind the net (which may have been for the visitors' video camera), which prevented me crossing the pitch, so I stayed in one position for the whole of the half.

For the second half, I once again started in front of the stand at the Roadshow End. Many away supporters decided to stay put, either because they liked the cover amplifying their sound, or they had assessed the likely weather and did not want to be out in it. Either way, they were joined by our Fence End, so I had plenty of noise behind me.

Chris Almond

After a few minutes, I needed to move to the side for the light. The weather since the previous afternoon had been showery, and given the noise it made against my roof and window, was mainly hail. We had a couple of hail showers whilst I was on the Gasworks side. Hailstones are large enough to attract the attention of the autofocus, thus ruining a fair proportion of my exposures.

Harry Cain makes a tackle

We were holding the visitors at bay when Louis Coyne was dismissed for a foul denying a goal scoring opportunity, so for the last ten minutes we were defending with a man down. A superb team effort secured the draw and meant the visitors dropped points for only the second time in the league this season.

With a whole team performance, the man of the match award went to the captain.

James McCulloch receives his award

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here - the Pitchero uploader has at last acquired an option to display the pictures in the order I took them - and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 South Shields 0.

And your goalkeeper this week is ...

When I arrived in Goole, I visited a Polish food shop for a bottle of water. I was not familiar with the brands, but the flavoured one with a lime on the label caught my eye. The manufacturers' drawing was as good as my Polish, and it turned out to be apple, but quite pleasant anyway. Once at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds, I headed to the tea bar to make sure I did not miss out on their excellent steak pie. Whilst I was tucking in, club secretary Dan Roberts briefed me. Our goalkeepers have been somewhat injury prone since stand in Charlie Whittingham was unable to complete his game with the club a few weeks ago. With Marcus Burgess recovering from a knee injury, Ben Barnes looked to be settling in well, but he was injured at work in the week, so we had another replacement in the shape of Ben Purdham from Curzon Ashton.

Ben Purdham

Before the game, I discussed camera positions with video camera operator Josh, who is with us for the video analysis module of his sports science degree. For video, particularly for analysis, the ideal position is looking down on the pitch, which is not really possible at Goole, so he set up on the edge of the grass just inside the running track. For me, it is a case of the lower the better, so I sat on the running track by the side of the pitch.

Jordan Southworth

Although I thought this would be a better surface than the grass, as it was not damp, it is quite rough, which makes it difficult to turn with the action, necessary when shooting from the side.

After 15 minutes I went behind the goal, where I had to sit on the grass, better surface or not.

For the last fifteen minutes of the half I swapped sides. The home goal was kept busy.

Joe Herbert has an attempt on goal

Lloyd Dean opened the scoring.

Lloyd Dean shoots for goal

Baba Conteh is first to join in the celebrations

A goal from Jordan Southworth gave us a good cushion at half time.

It is not often you see a ship peeping above the clubhouse.

The sun had set by the start of the second half, but with little cloud there was enough light for me to spend the first ten minutes behind the goal.

Jordan Wynne and a Class 158

I then moved in front of a floodlight, where I found the light to be surprisingly good - the pylons were outside the running track, so I was sitting in more light than I am accustomed to. The hosts were playing well in the second half, and were rewarded with a goal twenty minutes in. Places at the top of the table are often decided by the efficiency with which teams deal with those at the bottom. Over the last few seasons we have inflicted a few surprises on those at the top. However, our current form has put us in a playoff place, and it looked for a while as if Goole might be able take their turn to snatch a point. However, two goals in quick succession from Jordan Wynne in the last couple of minutes secured the result.

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

Final score: Goole AFC 1 Prescot Cables 4 (Dean, Southworth, Wynne 2)

Yes you can score from there

Prescot Cables' game at home to Scarborough Athletic fell on Armistice Day, so we started with the traditional Remembrance ceremonies, this year including the Last Post, played by buglers from the Prescot Army Cadet Force.

Following this, there was a minute's applause in memory of Adam Ellison and Tommy Grace, both attacked and killed in the street in the town in the last month.

We attracted an attendance of 518, the second highest in the division after Hyde, also taking advantage of their local Premier League clubs being on the international break, and the third highest at step 4. This is our highest league gate I can recall for some years, our recent higher attendances coming in two Liverpool Senior Cup finals and in the FA Cup this season.

I took up position by the side of the pitch near the Safari Park End. We started a fast moving and competitive ninety minutes.

Baba Conteh

Before the game, I spoke to Marcus Burgess, who told me the injury to his knee was not as bad as he had feared, in that he had not torn anything and would not require surgery, but he still anticipated being out for a few weeks, and needed to take particular care not to come back before it was fully healed. Ben Barnes would therefore be secure in his place for a while. We had not had much chance to see what he could do at Glossop, but he was soon making some good saves, most of which had someone in the way, so I was short of photos.

Ben Barnes

I followed my practice from the last few games of spending about a third of the first half at the side of the pitch then a third each side of the goal.

James McCulloch

Our first goal came ten minutes into the second half. Josh Klein-Davies sent a ball into the area, which was cleared, then hit the post, before Baba Conteh was able to put it away. Our advantage was short lived as the visitors equalised within the minute.

By the time of our second goal, I had moved round to the side of the pitch, and captured Jordan Southworth's free kick.

Ronnie and Tony did not look as though they expected anything to come of it, so they were in for a pleasant surprise.

Next to have an opportunity from a tight angle was Josh Klein-Davies.

This time it was the turn of Chairman Tony Zeverona to wonder if you could score from that angle.

It would appear you can.

Despite good performances over the last few weeks, this was still a game from which many would have been happy to come away with a point, so securing all three was an added bonus and puts us into fifth place.

Ben Barnes was kept busy throughout, and secured a well earned man of the match award, with his definite physical presence just about fitting in the edges of the board for the presentation photo.

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 3 (Conteh, Southworth, Klein-Davies) Scarborough Athletic 1.

A fine comeback

Before Prescot Cables' game at Glossop North End, I adjourned for drinks with my travelling companions in the Star Inn, as convenient for the station as it can be without actually being in the building. I made sure I got to the ground in time for one of Mettrick's excellent pies, opting for the lamb and mint pasty. I was unable to find a fork, and made do with a spoon which made for an entertaining snack. The resident photographer was most helpful, pointing out the best side to stand for our team and the direction they would face for the handshakes.

We received bad team news during the week, with Marcus Burgess injuring his knee and suspecting he might be out for some time. During the week, in the FA Trophy at Stalybridge Celtic, Ethan Dorgan from the Youth Team had taken his place. I was unable to attend, but it sounded character building, as we exited the competition with a 5-1 defeat. For the medium term, we have signed Ben Barnes, who had been released by Marine.

Ben Barnes

As we play in yellow, I wear an orange hi-vis vest to avoid a clash. However, brighter shades are popular with opposition goalkeepers too.

Glossop's Paul Phillips denies Lloyd Dean

The quality of the light was excellent, with low autumn sunshine.

Dan Burn

Despite some good chances, we were unable to find the goal (or at least not the bit inside the woodwork), and went in 1-0 down.

As the clocks have now gone back, the light drops quickly in the second half.

Harry Cain

Former Cables player Tunde Owolabi has signed for the hosts after a short spell at Stalybridge, and came on from the bench after about an hour. He scored some useful goals for us, and quickly did the same for his new club. It looked as though it may be the all too familiar pattern of playing well and not getting a result.

However, the fightback came when Lloyd Dean got on the end of a rebound from a Jordan Wynne free kick on the edge of the penalty area twelve minutes from time.

Jordan Wynne

The team immediately set about trying to secure a point whilst I moved to the side of the pitch. Lloyd Dean followed up with a second two minutes later. It would have been tempting to try to hold on to a point, but we pushed for all three. Lloyd Dean was once again involved, forcing goalkeeper Paul Phillips to commit himself...

... before passing to Jordan Wynne to put the ball in the back of the net.

Scenes ensued.

Jordan Wynne is under there somewhere

Chris Almond also made a welcome appearance from the bench after missing most of the season so far due to injury.

Chris Almond

On the way back, my travelling companions and I stopped off in Manchester, where we encountered bizarre non-service in the Piccadilly Tap. I ordered drinks for three of us: the barman poured one and brought it over, then seemed to have a problem with the pump for the second. He disappeared for a few minutes, returned, still had a problem, disappeared again, and when he was unable for a third time to pour the pint, put on his coat and, without a word, left the building.

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

Final score: Glossop North End 2 Prescot Cables 3 (Dean 2, Wynne)

New Boots and Panties

The rain at Prescot Cables' game at home to Clitheroe last week rather tested my clothing. I still had to visit a waterproof trouser shop, and I also found my boots, after several years service, had sprung a leak. I went shopping during the week ready for our FA Trophy home game to Stalybridge Celtic.

I need not have worried, as the weather turned out to be fairly uneventful with only a few spots of rain. However it was quite windy, and the trousers sold themselves, with justification, as windproof too.

This turned out to be a fairly defensive game that can be a bit difficult to photograph and write about. We started playing, as usual when we win the toss, towards the Safari Park End so I divided my time between the two sides of the goal. We came close to scoring, hitting the post, and a solid defence kept the visitors at bay.

Louis Coyne, Man of the Match

I always keep an eye out for the sponsors - they are paying to be seen after all - and with the North West Roadshow banner back in place at the end they have sponsored, I took the opportunity of the better conditions this week to crop a few pictures to get it in.

Josef Faux

This was the last game before the clocks go back, and the pitch had a decidedly autumnal covering from the trees at the back of the ground.

Jordan Southworth prepares to take a corner

The second half started with a good save from Marcus Burgess denying the visitors, and our finding the woodwork again.

Low light started to push the ISO settings up.

Jordan Wynne

James Sloane made his first appearance from the bench.

James Sloane

One of the substitutes for the visitors came from famous footballing roots - Jake Charles is the grandson of the great Welsh international player John Charles.

Jake Charles

Neither side was able to break the stalemate, making for our first 0-0 draw of the season.

After this game there were presentations, with Louis Coyne being the Man of the Match, Harry Cain picking up a delayed Player of the Month award for September after a bit of a mix up closing the poll, and James McCulloch collecting his award for 300 appearances.

Harry Cain

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 Stalybridge Celtic 0

Testing the drainage

With the money Prescot Cables have raised through the Supporters on the Pitch scheme, we have been able to make improvements to the playing surface, one of which is to have it occasionally Verti-Drained. We were to see the advantage in our game against Clitheroe. I arrived to find Robbie, our coach driver and ground volunteer admiring his white lines that had remained intact since Tuesday, saving him a job re-marking them. The rain was starting to fall as the players warmed up, and had become a downpour by the time the game started.

I took a position at the Hope Street End, or, as its sign has been re-fixed, the Roadshow End, where I was partially sheltered by the stand. Josh Klein Davies, the eventual Man of the Match, has been presented with an opportunity by recent departures, and showed he is intent on taking it with both hands by opening the scoring whilst I was still adjusting the cover of my camera. At least I caught the celebration.

I was getting some good pictures despite the rain. I am not sure why the referee felt the need to jump.

Lloyd Dean

Jordan Wynne was next up to score from a penalty.

Jordan Wynne

We unintentionally assisted the visitors with an own goal from James McCulloch.

Being sheltered, I did not realise quite how hard it was raining until I went to the other side of the pitch. I stayed for about 5 minutes until I fully realised the consequences of my error.

Andy Scarisbrick

For the second half I took up position by the touchline where I was partially sheltered by the fence. The players were not so lucky.

Valter Fernandes

I was in position for our third goal from Josef Faux.

Josef Faux celebrates his goal

The rain continued to fall more heavily, to the point I needed to take cover and return to the terrace in front of the main stand for the first time in some while. The pictures from this location give some idea of the difference between being pitchside sitting on the ground and on the terrace, as we see the pitch forming the background of some pictures looking down on the play.

Harry Cain

Clitheroe pulled back a goal, but could not stop us taking all three points in challenging conditions.

Roy Grundy and Steve Pilling

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 3 (Klein-Davies, Wynne pen, Faux) Clitheroe 2