Attendance of the day

Even a couple of years ago, Prescot Cables would not have anticipated that our game would attract the division's best attendance of the day. However, our 370 against Glossop North End achieved that, at least for a game: there may have been more people in the public houses of Atherton, as South Shields' visit fell victim to the dreaded, and unanticipated by the weather forecast, lunchtime downpour.

We too had looked at the pitch at the start of the day, and reported no need for an inspection, just as it started to rain, although, fortunately, it stayed as light as forecast. Glossop's photographer joined me as we picked our way round the foot of the steps from the dressing rooms, where just about everyone who has business on the pitch will walk, most of them wearing studs. I do not think it was a man eating swamp, but we were not taking any chances. The pitch was firm enough, although I left a distinct Dr Martens footprint if I stood in one place for too long.

James Edgar had sustained a shoulder injury at Clitheroe, which gave Dan Burns an opportunity for a start.

Dan Burns

Regular spectators will be aware of a couple of leaks in the gutter of the main stand, sending a jet of water on to anyone standing below. That problem should be solved, as the repair people have been in, and have also taken an advert.

Reece McNally

We are a superstitious bunch in football, or maybe what goes around comes around. So, when you use a picture of an opposition player coming off second best to generate a meme, you can be sure he will score against you at the next opportunity. Chris Baguley did the honours for the visitors just before half time.

We came out more determined for the second half, and James McCulloch had the first part of a mixed afternoon with a goal a couple of minutes in.

Scenes ensued.

This was to be the high point of the game, with pressure from the visitors leading to a second goal ten minutes from time.

It is still quite dark towards the end of the game, so I worked my way round to the side of the pitch.

Louis Coyne

An unsuccessful afternoon was compounded a few minutes from time when James McCulloch made a tackle, that did look a bit mistimed from my angle, but did not look to fall within the definition of excessive force or endangering the safety of an opponent, and was unfortunate to receive a straight red card rather than a second yellow. The consequences for the afternoon would have been the same, but he will now be suspended for three games rather than one.

In spite of the defeat, Ben Barnes ensured we stayed in the game for longer than we might have done, and won the Roanza Truck & Van Man of the Match 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 1 (McCulloch) Glossop North End 2