Man of the match - eventually

For Prescot Cables' game at home to Brighouse Town, we were joined by Dr Phil, continuing to recruit to the Cables interest, and his friends from Edinburgh, Drs Benny, Tammy and Victoria (at least I think they are all PhDs). Benny had a full day of sport, having risen early to watch the Australian Rules Premiership semi final, where his West Coast Eagles lost 19.11 - 9.4 (I have no idea what that means either, but it sounds grim). He was looking to Cables to redeem the day: not generally a course of action I recommend. Checking the AFL website, I noticed a team nicknamed the Pies, but was disappointed this was short for Magpies, rather than a celebration of pastry encased comestibles.

My photographic day started with some of the players at Poco Coffee, sponsors of the player of the month award and official suppliers to yours truly when the tea bar cannot cut it. As we shot at the outside seats, an elderly couple at a window table looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying photobombing.

We played the first half towards the Safari Park End.

Lloyd Dean

Whilst we had chances, even the photographer with the flimsiest grasp of tactics (that would be me) will notice when most of the play is in your own half. Only a bit more than a third of the collection came from the first half.

There was welcome news at half time, when Danny Flood reported he was back on both feet. I took the chance to get his squad photo.

Danny Flood

Things picked up in the second half, with lots of pace on the wings from Tunde Owolabi and Harry Cain.

Tunde Owolabi

Harry was rewarded with a goal on the hour. When I told him later that I had not got a picture as there were other players in the way, he replied that it was not a particularly good one anyway. That may be the case, but there are no points for style, any goal will do. In any event, I got something.

That is Harry Cain's foot, honest

Although I like the way everyone is looking as the ball goes in, being able to identify the scorer is a requirement for the collection. However, I caught the celebration.

Our Australian visitors (Drs Benny and Tammy) were represented on the field when Joey Faux joined the fray.

Joey Faux

When you have your own banner, it is always good to get a shot with it in the background.

Andy Scarisbrick

Dogs are a regular part of the non league game - there are those who keep a close eye on the action when their human is playing.

Marcus Burgess under observation

We were able to keep some late pressure at bay to secure all three points.

Valter Fernandes applauds the crowd

We had an excellent performance from both wings, but consensus emerged that Harry Cain had earned the man of the match award by virtue of his winning goal. So far, so good, but there was less consensus on who would do the presentation, with my being advised there would not be one. The alternative view prevailed after I had gone that as Harry had won it, it was only fair to present it, which I found out when I was safely settled on the premises of our sponsor, the Sun Inn.

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 (Cain) Brighouse Town 0

Not quite so lucky blue

Over the years I have been watching Prescot Cables, the away kit has generally alternated between red and blue. We have recently taken delivery of a smart new all blue kit - and if you have one block colour, blue is the least problematic according to the FA guidance on colour blindness in football, red having a tendency to clash with the opposition or merge into the pitch for about 6% of your potential audience. We also wore the blue kit winning at Tadcaster and Trafford, so it was starting to look lucky - football people are a superstitious bunch.

With illness, work and other commitments, we have not mustered much of a turnout for our Train Crew over the last few months, but we gathered a reasonable number for our trip to Mossley, assembling in the Station Buffet at Stalybridge and the Fleece at Mossley. After the latter, some of our party also tried another pub, whose name escapes me, but I stayed put as it sounded like an establishment for the less discerning drinker.

Still being unaware of the precise etiquette for going pitchside, I went for a repeat of putting on my high vis and wandering through the gate looking as though I knew what I was doing, chatting to goalkeeping coach Garry Williams as I did so. He was hoping for some shots of the bench. I was able to oblige.

Louis Coyne watches Garry Williams demonstrate his ball skills

There had been heavy showers earlier in the day. As I walked round the pitch, there was a definite squelch from the part worn down by the linesmen, but the playing surface looked firm. I took up position in front of the wall at the Yorkshire end.

Yours truly in position - photo by Richie Brown

There was another heavy shower just after kick off. I caught a couple of shots managing not to noise reduce out the rain.

Baba Conteh

It stopped raining after about 10 minutes, so I was able to remove the wet weather gear, uncomfortably warm in mild weather, from both myself and the camera.

My position gives a good view of the dark arts of defending at set pieces.

Dominic Marie

We rarely do well visiting Mossley, and normal service was maintained when the hosts scored after 25 minutes.

For the second half I took up a similar position at the Lancashire end. In this location, the wall is low enough that I could probably sit behind it and gain the same effect. Our goal continued to be kept busy.

Marcus Burgess

The hosts make their win secure with a goal after 75 minutes.

Near the end of the game, an elderly home supporter took advantage of the low wall to engage me in conversation, asking where I display my photos as he was looking forward to one of their second goal. He asked how many I normally put online, and, when I replied it was usually 60 or 70, about 10% of what I take, he wondered if I include goals we concede. Hearing that I generally do not, he departed with an air of satisfaction at seeing a win mixed with resignation that he would not have a visual reminder.

Despite some aerobatics ...

Harry Cain

Alan Burton

... we were unable to make a reply.

This was the first time I have been pitchside in damp weather. I was therefore more than a little stiff for the walk down the hill to the Britannia Inn and the station.

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

Final score: Mossley 2 Prescot Cables 0.

Think of a title

One particular memory I have of creative writing at primary school is that, when the teacher did not supply a title, I would have an idea of what to write, but was staring at the paper wondering what to put on the first line. I was in a similar situation starting this blog, and was prompted to this anecdote, as one of the first people I saw arriving for Prescot Cables' game at home to Atherton Collieries was my friend Gibbo, who has just started work as a teacher at his old primary school. He had been landed with match secretary duties, and confided that being with us would leave him short of time to prepare a maths lesson, but a new ground was a new ground. It is doing your bit to make sure the children do not grow up thinking football is a television programme. 

We were part of a crowd of 281, a big improvement in the last couple of years, it was not long ago that three figures for a midweek game was far from guaranteed. We were expecting a stiff challenge, with the visitors having made a strong start to their first season in this league.

Sunset at this time of year is just after 8 pm, do I took up position on the pitch side of the barrier at the Safari Park End, taking advantage of the last few minutes of the golden hour.

Jordan Southworth

As I was in my formative years in 1986, light blue and white vertical stripes are not my favourite combination (I remember it in those colours even though Argentina wore their away kit), but have the advantage of being reflective.

Jordan Wynne

After a few minutes, I moved to the side, and was there for Joey Faux to open the scoring. I was late to the goal, but caught the celebrations.

Joey Faux celebrates his goal ...

... and Rod supplies musical accompaniment

Half an hour in to the game, the sun was below the trees, and the floodlights were the dominant source of light. I moved behind the barrier, and to the Gasworks Side, where I found Jonah O'Reilly, currently playing for Congleton Town, and his father.

Shortly after I arrived, the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty. Dominic Marie quickly restored our advantage. I was late to the goal, but captured the celebrations.

Dominic Marie celebrates his goal

Joe Herbert made it three a couple of minutes later. I was late ... well you can see the pattern.

Joe Herbert

For the second half, I opted for the pre set sports mode, with ISO set to 12800, and let the shutter speed take care of itself. You can get away with 1/160s if the players are moving in the right direction.

James McCulloch

I bumped into the father of Atherton and former Cables goalkeeper Adam Reid on my way round the ground, and he reminisced about my photos from Adam's days with us. I was able to oblige on this occasion.

Adam Reid saves from Lloyd Dean

With no score in the second half, we took what for many of us was an unexpected three points to continue our much improved performance after our FA Cup exit.

After the game we presented the Player of the Month award, sponsored this year by Poco Coffee, official suppliers to yours truly when I have to get to the ground early and need more caffeine than is available from the tea bar.

Andy Scarisbrick collects his award

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 (Faux, Marie, Herbert) Atherton Collieries 0

A clean sheet at Trafford

Despite a respectable performance over the bank holiday weekend, I was apprehensive about Prescot Cables' visit to Trafford, with good reason, as we had shipped more goals than I care to remember on our last two visits. Arriving in good time, I was still unsure of the precise etiquette for admission to the side of the pitch, so in the end I popped my high vis on, and wandered out onto the pristine turf just before the teams came out of the dressing room, with a vague general air that I knew what I was doing.

Shawe View has a wide border between the pitch and the perimeter fence, so I took up a position near the corner flag. A lot of photographers working pitchside have a stool, but as I have only just started, and want to keep cost and weight to a minimum, my seating arrangement of choice is a simple polyethylene cushion pad, £3.99 from the camping section at Clas Ohlson.

Lloyd Dean

When propping yourself up against the fence, always keep an eye out for what may be balanced on top.

The sun was shining, but I was in the shade of the fence so I did not have any distracting light from the side.

Louis Coyne

As at Tadcaster the previous week, we avoided conceding in the first half, and were not without opportunities to score. Our first goal, a good one from both playing and photographic perspectives, came from Jordan Southworth.

Jordan Southworth traps the ball ...

... shoots ...

... and celebrates his goal

Next to present a photographic challenge was a penalty for the hosts at what was probably a key moment a couple of minutes later. Marcus Burgess pulled off a save to maintain our advantage and the confidence that comes from going ahead. I often use the "a goal is a goal" principle to let a picture that does not quite meet quality control through the net - I also have a lesser used principle  of "a penalty save is a penalty save" for when I do not catch fingers and ball in actual contact.

It is a save - honest.

We had one new starter.

Aaron Turner

Tunde Owolabi came on a few minutes from time and looked dangerous, so much so that he was almost immediately fouled just inside the penalty area.

Tunde Owolabi

Realising that a lack of spectators in the way on my side of the barrier meant I could move to a better position for the penalty (ensuring I did not distract Jordan Wynne as he prepared to  take it), I moved closer to the goal.

Jordan Wynne scores from the spot

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

Final score: Trafford 0 Prescot Cables 2 (Southworth, Wynne pen)

Eyes open

August Bank Holiday Monday this year saw Prescot Cables at home to Skelmersdale United, who may be joining us on a more regular basis later in the year if they are unable to remain in their ground on the site of the former hamlet of Stormy Corner.

Before the game, there was the annual task with the most opportunities for things to go wrong - the team photos. For the individual pictures, commercial manager Steve Garnett suggested a backdrop of some of the supporters' banners. I was sceptical, but it worked out well, if a little orange, with a tequila motif (nothing to do with me, I cannot understand how anyone drinks the stuff).

Joey Faux

The light stayed fairly even with light cloud, for the players, but the sun came out for the management. Next up was the team photo itself, an exercise that needs a firm hand, as the team are certainly not going to listen to me.

Fortunately, the sun went back in, as the position, with the stand and banner in the background, meant everyone's faces would be in shadow if it had stayed out. With everyone in place, I was not loud enough with the "say testicles" (from The Commitments), so there was no take when everyone had their eyes open, which caused much mirth on Twitter.

Once it was done we could all relax, and someone could put the banner on the front of the stand back in position. Anyone tempted to caption a team photograph should put the names in a separate text file, as, when you make the inevitable errors, it is easier to amend the file and paste the contents into a new text box than to edit on the photo.

We only had one mascot for the game, which was just as well, as the assistant referee was looking to start the handshakes while most of the team were still walking in front of me.

We started playing towards the Hope Street end and I took up a position on the ground in front of the covered standing.

Baba Conteh

The first half ended goalless, but we swiftly opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty converted by Tunde Owolabi.

Tunde Owolabi scores from the spot

The visitors then opened their account from a penalty. Jordan Wynne restored our advantage a few minutes later.

Jordan Wynne shoots for goal

The penalty count started to look like rugby union when Tunde Owolabi was brought down in the box for our next opportunity. Unfortunately, Skelmersdale's Jack Sims correctly guessed where Tunde would put his second penalty, and was able to save.

Jack Sims

We looked as though we would hold on to our lead until the last seconds of injury time when the visitors snatched an equaliser.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here, and on Google Photos here. A copy of the team photo is available here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 2 (Owolabi pen, Wynne) Skelmersdale United 2.

A grand day out

There are pitfalls in being too slow updating this blog. A couple of weeks ago, I started a post about our game against City of Liverpool in the FA Cup. We played on a Friday night to attract those watching Liverpool or Everton on Saturday. It worked, with a crowd of 973, who saw an exciting game that we were frustrated not to put to bed with the visitors down to 10 men. So far, so good, and the Tuesday replay attracted a similar crowd. It did not take long for the wheels to fall off, with some tactical decisions that did not work, combined with most of the team having a bad evening, resulting in a 8-2 defeat. In such circumstances I normally still grind out a set of photos, but even I gave up, and regarded the exercise as a not particularly useful technical test.

We followed this with a trip to Tadcaster Albion, a destination seeing scenes last year, with our party being too noisy even for the part of the town in the once wild and lawless Ainsty of York.

This year saw a more subdued turnout, and I had been expecting travel mayhem, with York races, the Leeds Festival, cricket at Headingley, and travellers for London advised to travel via Leeds. I set out early to allow the opportunity of a longer, but less crowded, journey via the Calder Valley if the Transpennine train proved too full. I need not have worried, with the train only filling at Huddersfield, although I was glad not to be staying on between Leeds and York.

I therefore had time to take some pictures around Leeds before catching the Tadcaster bus. This was the only travel issue of the day, with the bus being, unsurprisingly for a coast service on a bank holiday weekend, three quarters of an hour late. Road closures for the Leeds Festival meant a diversion through some picturesque villages, and instead of arriving in Tadcaster with a hour to spare, I had ten minutes, and needed food. I knew the tea bar's chips to be excellent, and I paired them with what might surpass Mossley's as the best gravy in the division.

I had planned to see if I could go pitchside. I am not sure of the etiquette, whether one asks the tunnel steward whilst brandishing a camera and high vis, or whether one has to establish one's bona fides through a club official or our bench. In any event, a camera in one hand and comestibles in the other does not exactly scream "serious photographer", so I decided to stay on the spectator side.

Marcus Burgess

The barrier at the north end is quite low, allowing me to kneel or crouch when play was in our half, although I am not sure it makes much difference when the players are at the other end. We were in black shorts rather than matching the shirts and socks, an illustration of the perils of the referee deciding whether there is a clash from a description on paper.

Harry Cain

After our performance in midweek, I was relieved we did not concede in the first half. We gained a one man advantage near the end, after one of the home players was dismissed for running 10 yards to join in a brawl.

Fifteen minutes in to the second half we were treated to a contender for goal of the season. From a photography perspective, I was disappointed to see it, as it meant the camera did not. A cross found Lloyd Dean, who put it away with a spectacular bicycle kick. It is best appreciated on video (well, that is what I am saying), and the hosts captured it, at 1.48 here. Readers will not be surprised to learn a yellow card was issued for excessive celebration.

Lloyd Dean celebrates his goal

Next to score was Dominic Marie, with another goal best appreciated on video, starting at 2.50 for the run that preceded it, the actual shot looking a bit dull on a still photograph.

Dominic Marie shoots for goal

We were to be found in our own half more than the score suggested, but kept the hosts at bay until injury time, but they were unable to stop a confidence boosting three points on the road.

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

Final score: Tadcaster Albion 1 Prescot Cables 2 (Dean, Marie)