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

Here be tigers

A Tuesday night visit to Prescot Cables has its intimidating features. The wind that always seems to be whipping across the pitch, the stand towering up out of the darkness, and the uncharted wilds of the gasworks side, where only the hardy tread at night.

Oddly, the visit of Lancaster City last week was the first time this season anyone has experienced these pleasures, in our first midweek home game. We have in the past entertained a Hollyoaks XI in aid of our local Willowbrook Hospice, although on this occasion some clearly felt The Only Way is Essex.

I started taking pictures in front of the tea bar, and for the second time in a row, my view was not blocked, as it normally would be, by an assistant referee. Referees at this level have a choice of diagonal, unlike in higher levels, where the left diagonal for the referee is compulsory. Use of the less common arrangement has the advantage of providing firmer footing for the assistants.

Phil Bannister, captured from the stand side

After a few minutes I joined our visiting photography student (whose name I have been told, and therefore feel embarrassed to ask again) on the gasworks side. Had I stayed put, I would probably have got a better view of our goal, from Rob Doran.

Rob Doran

At half time, I asked my fellow photographer how he was finding our floodlights. He reported that he had his ISO settings at 3200, which he did not even use indoors photographing gigs. Even at livelier gigs, the performers probably do not move as much as on the football pitch, so need slower shutter speeds. I thought use of flash may be a difference too: although flash photography is no longer prohibited by the Laws of Association Football, if it is powerful enough to make a difference, it is powerful enough to distract players and match officials. However, many entertainment venues prohibit flash, as it may induce seizures, particularly in combination with house lighting effects.

He also made an observation that illustrates the superiority of human senses over the machine, in that the light was perfectly fine to see, but less so for photography.

We thought this game might not take place: the north escaped the winds of the St Jude Storm (St Simon & St Jude surely), but it still deposited a quantity of rain the previous day. However, this day had been dry - until half time. I had looked behind the cloudy icon on the Met Office app, and spotted the 40% probability of rain, so I was prepared with my cover, whereas my colleague had used the BBC forecast, and had to put his coat over his head and camera.

James McCulloch in the rain

This turned out to be the last game of Jamie Menagh's short stay. Chester FC, with whom he had a trial in pre season, are strengthening their squad, and snapped him up, with some justification, as he impressed in his appearances for us. Dr Phil the Pharmacologist spotted the report on the Chester Chronicle site was illustrated by one of my photos: I was able to reassure him I had supplied it to the Echo (and they used in the Merseymart), and the Chronicle is part of the same Trinity Mirror stable.

Jamie Menagh

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Doran) Lancaster City 2.