A surprising win

I approached Prescot Cables' game at home to Glossop North End hoping for a point. We had been steadily amassing what we needed to avoid relegation, mainly one at a time. Our home form has been good, although we have drawn some games we were in a position to win. The visitors were third in the league, but we have always been able to spring a surprise on teams near the top of the table. A point would mean that that for Goole to catch us, as well as winning two of their remaining four games, goal difference meant they would need to draw a third, in addition to anything we were able to to.

It was a bright, sunny afternoon, with plenty of light, but also shadows to deal with.

Marcus Burgess

I still had a point very much in mind when Chris Almond opened the scoring after seven minutes.

Chris Almond celebrates his first goal

Lloyd Dean added to the tally after about half an hour. There was still no indication of what was to come, with the visitors scoring just before the end to make for an unremarkable 2-1 half time score. Glossop were in third place for a reason, but we were looking more hopeful for that point.

Lloyd Dean scored a second a few minutes into the second half to restore our advantage.

Lloyd Dean shoots for his second goal

Shortly afterwards, we revised our expectations upwards, when Chris Almond scored twice in quick succession for his hat trick. Josh Dolling added to the scoring a couple of minutes later to complete a perfect fifteen minutes.

Josh Dolling

With a win now realistically secure, there were two more goals: a consolation for the visitors, and another from Josh Dolling, who has steadily improved since he joined us, and is seeing the rewards in goals.

The Rogues and Rascals Barbershop Man of the Match is usually chosen by informal soundings in the bar after the game. There is one essential proviso - you need to still be on the premises for the announcement and photo: the sponsors are paying us to promote them after all. A hat trick will put you at the top of most people's minds, so we made sure Chris Almond was still around to receive his award.

Meanwhile, in the more formal voting on the website, Dale Wright secured the award for the Warrington Motors Player of the Month for March.

Having secured three points, not only did we ensure Goole now needed three wins from their last four games, but also that Mossley replaced us in their sights, as we went up a place on goal difference. Unfortunately, we did not do Glossop's playoff chances any good, although, being purely selfish, it increased the chance we would be enjoying their rather decent pies again next season.

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 7 (Almond 3, Dean 2, Dolling 2) Glossop North End 2.