The rainfall map

At this time of year, online weather forecasts become as familiar as feeds on social networks, which themselves are filled with pitch inspections. Weather forecasts are complex: observations are fed into about 50 models, and the resulting forecast is what they suggest as the most likely outcome. Local forecasts, such as on the Met Office app, generally give a probability there will be rain, and an indication of how heavy and sustained it is likely to be. There is also a rainfall map, showing how the rain is predicted to progress across the country. The fun starts when the two do not agree. On Friday evening before Prescot Cables' game at home to Kendal Town, the summary suggested the probability of rain would fall to <5% after 10pm, but the rainfall map was suggesting a band of heavyish rain moving slowly over the area until 6am. I am not sure what that juxtaposition means - perhaps that it is not likely to rain, but if it does you will know about it.

There had been a call for volunteers to help prepare the pitch, but an absence of tweets suggested the rain had held off, and there was no need for an inspection. Clubs usually call in a referee to inspect if there is any doubt: if they do not, and the game is subsequently called off, they may be liable for the visitors' wasted coach travel. The going seemed good to soft (oops, wrong sport) when I went on to the pitch to take the pictures of the mascots.

The day started brightly, but the cloud was advancing quickly, with the floodlights being needed after about 20 minutes.

Jordan Wynne - two minutes in, f/4.8, 135mm 1/800s ISO800

Dominic Reid, on the half hour, f/4.8 1/500s 140mm ISO2200

I spent some time on the Gasworks Side to keep up with our defence, who were performing well.

James Doyle keeps a close eye on the ball

We took our chance early in the second half when Dale Wright headed in a Harry Cain corner.

Harry Cain takes the corner ...

... Dale Wright heads for goal ...

... and hovers in mid air to watch it go in.

Celebrating

This was cancelled out a few minutes later when the visitors scored with a quick move from a goal kick. We made strenuous efforts to restore our advantage, with a number of saves and near misses, a declined appeal for a penalty and a goal disallowed for offside.

After the game, it was time to catch up on presentations after most of the last month on the road, with the Rogues & Rascals Barbershop Man of the Match going to Dominic Reid, the Warrington Motors Player of the Month for January to Valter Fernandes, and for February to Dominic Marie.

Dominic Marie

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 1 (Wright) Kendal Town 1