Blood and diesel

My trips to Ramsbottom United usually involve a detour between the tram and the bus for a Chadwick's black pudding from their stall on Bury Market. The final stage never seems as smooth as it looks on the timetable, this time featuring two buses arriving at the advertised time, only for both drivers to announce they were there for the next service 15 minutes hence. In Ramsbottom, they had been doing something that seemed a terrible waste of blood based comestibles.

The main event in town this weekend was the East Lancashire Railway Diesel Gala, causing a queue at the level crossing as I arrived. I paused briefly to listen to a Class 33 setting off, disappointed that the train was not heavy enough, nor the line speed high enough, to give the sound I remember from my local line as a child.

We played downhill in the first half. I intended to go the side away from the clubhouse, but took one look at the rigging holding up the net and decided against going behind it. Successful action photography needs to be unobtrusive, which is not achieved by demolishing the goal or being suspended in the net wearing orange high vis (also from Bury Market).

I therefore sat down in front of the wall. Legendary supporter Dave "The Monster" was behind me, paying close attention to our goal. "Clear it Angus!" "Good save Angus!" When I pointed out he should be referring to Marcus, he replied "same difference", which is probably not true if you are trying to attract his attention.

Marcus Burgess gathers at the feet of Tom Brooks

The standing on the cricket club side is quite narrow, with the fence close to the pitch, which makes the crowd appear particularly in focus, with everyone in a neat row. This is accentuated by my low photography position.

Josef Faux

The hosts retweeted my collection, and a few home supporters enjoyed picking themselves and their friends out in the crowd.

Chaps called Harry were well represented.

Harry Cain

Ramsbottom, like Mossley, is becoming one of those places where many of us enjoy the surroundings, but usually come away less happy with the result. Normal service was maintained when the hosts scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.

For the second half, I again decided not to navigate the assault course of the net rigging, and positioned myself to look downhill on the cricket club side.

Valter Fernandes runs down the wing for me - well, up really, it's quite a slope

Whilst the half was not without action, this was a game both sides would regard as less than classic.

I have neglected my photography of towns and surroundings for recent games, so, finding myself at the station when a couple of trains were due, I decided to get a few snaps, taking in the town, and back to the station to see the last service of the day, the final whistle (seriously nerdy railway joke).

40 145

Having then visited the Irwell Works Brewery, the buses were as unreliable as earlier in the day, so I got home an hour later than planned, which, if I had known could have been better spent in the pub.

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

Final score: Ramsbottom United 1 Prescot Cables 0.