Eek, more Fish

I was once talking to a Lady Mayoress of Liverpool, who grew up in Dublin. She regaled me with the tale of a summer in the Connemara Gaeltacht, a school prize for her Irish language skills. She had enjoyed it, but there was a downside - "It was fish for breakfast, fish for dinner, fish for tea - by the end when the boats went out I was praying they would not catch anything." I feared we might have a similar weariness with Fish, when we heard Michael of that name, having scored four goals against us for Mossley before Christmas, had signed for our hosts, Brighouse Town.

I thought on the way that, had I known what the weather would be like, I would have set out earlier to enjoy walking in the Calder Valley. As it was, we needed to wait to find out how much rain there had been overnight. When the hosts started tweeting the playlist for music on the tannoy, I assumed there had been no need for a pitch inspection. I had some time in Halifax before catching the bus, so I went to the Minster and purchased a photography permit.

Discussing the weekly player movements at Halifax Minster

Arriving at the ground, I made a dead heat with my friend Roger, who first recruited me to the Cables interest, and his partner Angela, who had driven up from Hampshire for this game and for London Broncos' fixture at Swinton Lions the following day. Also watching were new local residents Stephen and Jill, the owners of Ged the Giraffe, an inflatable familiar to those who saw Dulwich Hamlet's championship winning season in 2012-3 .

For my pre match pie, I could have taken a metal fork, but I thought I might wander off and have to keep hold of it until half time, so opted for plastic. Not that everyone was as considerate: I spotted a home official fishing metal cutlery out of a bin where someone had dumped it in the same way as they would plastic items.

It was a bright, sunny day, and we were playing with the sun behind us, which was not without its challenges ...

Joe Herbert

although I was happy with some arty effects.

Ronnie watches the action

I managed some decent shots of Marcus Burgess in action without anyone in the way, which is not always possible.

Marcus Burgess

I remember Roger telling me that he visited a number of clubs when he first came to Liverpool, and returned to Prescot after winning the raffle on his first visit. He won on his first visit to Brighouse too.

My gold standard for a vegetable raffle is from Seaford Town (at home to East Grinstead Town in about 2004): a large basket, with the centrepiece of an enormous cauliflower. This one lacked the cauliflower, but was beating the vegetable shortage and the plastic bag charge, requiring six free carrier bags to take it away.

The shadows were lengthening by the second half.

James Edgar

The game had been evenly balanced until Valter Fernandes was controversially dismissed on the hour. You can see the video here: I have watched it a few times and eventually worked out why the referee reacted to a rather aimless swing of the arm, although he was shielded by the players from seeing the elbow that provoked it.

Valter Fernandes

As we had feared, Michael Fish made the most of the opportunity by scoring twice in ten minutes.

I do not think Brian Richardson likes making substitutions for the sake of it, and had made none until after 80 minutes. However, we needed to try to salvage something, so he then used all three at once. This brought an almost immediate benefit from Dominic Reid to our goal difference and goals scored.

Dominic Reid

After the game, I joined Roger going to Bradford, where I was entrusted with the Good Beer Guide and Mr Google's maps. We started with the excellent Corn Dolly, then Jacob's Beer House were encouraging popular devotion to St Blaise, the patron saint of wool combers, whose feast had been the previous day, by offering an eponymous Armenian style ale (I am not sure what was distinctively Armenian about it) from Salamander. To cap the weekend of catching up with friends, on my way through Manchester to the Swinton game, I caught up briefly with Matt from the Lost Boyos before he flew home from his own weekend sporting tour.

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

Final score: Brighouse Town 2 Prescot Cables 1 (Reid)

A view of Westmorland

I have often heard that the town of Kendal has a picturesque setting. I had never seen it, my previous visits having been in the rain or at night. The forecast for our game at Kendal Town was for bright weather, so I took an early train and went to Windermere. Being unable to see a hill without wondering what is at the top, I walked up to Orrest Head, where the advertised views were most definitely available.

Returning to Kendal, the day was still bright and sunny, but the west of the ground has a stand and a number of trees, so there were plenty of shadows. I usually just need to use the automatic settings on Nikon ViewNX 2 to convert my files from raw to jpeg for processing. I sometimes wonder whether it would be easier to shoot in jpeg and let the camera do the work, but ViewNX 2 makes use of the computer's processing power and not having to deliver a result in a second or so. In some high contrast situations, I need to work on raw files manually, and this time I used the facility for 15 - 20 frames.

Phil Bannister

In some locations, the players cast strong shadows on themselves.

Ben Cartwright

Now that Brian Richardson had seen the squad for training we were expecting a few changes. The only new(ish) face was goalkeeper Phil Priestly, who played in the Liverpool Senior Cup semi final in July, but has been with Skelmersdale United in the meantime.

Phil Priestly

James McCulloch was in midfield, having played in defence so far this season. He has played there before, but has been accustomed to midfield in recent years, and looked particularly effective on this occasion.

James McCulloch

Dominic Marie was on the bench: having joined in pre season, he was making his first competitive appearance.

Dominic Marie

The hosts made the most of the terrain, as you expect the home side to do - I still remember with some bewilderment the Cables manager a few years ago who said our pitch made it difficult to play our preferred game. They got the ball downhill as quickly as possible, endangering our goal, and, even when we cleared, making us tire ourselves chasing it back uphill. It was effective, giving them two goals.

Garry Williams emerged at half time to brief the substitutes that we would attempt the same in the second half - he also briefed me, as he thought it might be good for a few photos. He was right on that, assisted by my taking up position in the bottom corner of the ground, and by the floodlights being switched on during half time.

Jacob Jones

It took longer to work in the footballing sense, with the hosts scoring another before we were able to break our own drought, with Lloyd Dean scoring on 67 minutes.

Lloyd Dean

Despite keeping up the pressure, we were unable to add to this.

It is sometimes said that in this country we do not take cold seriously. I remember a few years ago visiting Helsinki over the second weekend in September: when I arrived on Thursday there were plenty of short sleeves, by Monday everyone was in seriously warm looking coats. Following a mild October, I did not realise how quickly the temperature had dropped, so I was slow to adopt extra layers and gloves. I declined the offer of another lift from the Johnstones, having in mind a pint or two in the Ring O'Bells with their local ales and open fire. I needed it by the time I got there, I had lost feeling to the extent I needed to pick my first pint up from the bar with both hands.

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

Final score: Kendal Town 3 Prescot Cables 1 (Dean)

First down and five

My friend Christian writes about the Washington Redskins for the Uncle Sam Sports blog, for UK based fans of American sports. I have to admit the stuff about the defensive lineman for the county intercepting the quarterback slipping the pigskin to the wide receiver (or something like that) goes a bit over my head. Also, as I identify players by haircuts, I do not easily adjust to helmets, although I find nothing of which to complain in the numbers on the front of the shirts (you know they make sense). Nonetheless, I always read his pieces as I know there will be a couple of superb turns of phrase in there.

The site maintains the American work ethic - a request for a week off was met with the response, "Christian, if you had a bye week after every Redskins loss, you'd never blog again", a point I considered after Prescot Cables' defeat at home to Mossley, something of a bogey team for us. I think I heard someone say that in 17 games against them, we have won twice.

The day started well, with my being let loose with the incense for a couple of parts of the Liverpool Cathedral Walsingham Festival. Forget smoke bombs, this is the real thing. It was to be a full day, finishing with an evening meal at the Crown of India for Dr Phil's birthday. At the away fixture corresponding to his 30th birthday last season, we recorded a rare win against today's opposition.

Lloyd Dean & James Edgar

The day was on the awkward side of bright, with Mossley playing in white to add extra glare.

That is not without benefit later, as it shaves a few minutes off my processing time. There are more bytes in a pixel of black (expressed in RGB - red, green blue - as 255,255,255) than white (0,0,0). Also, on a bright picture, there are usually solid blocks of colour, using less data, whereas a dark one often has pixels of grain interrupting any blocks. 6000 x 4000 pixel raw files from this game were about 17-18MB, against 20MB on a gloomy afternoon, and 24-25MB in the evening. On my computer, that adds a few seconds of waiting for an image to load or process, which adds up over 120 or so images.

The light also produced a good set of images for commercial use, of play in front of the advertising. If I were on the wing, I would be tempted to negotiate individual endorsements.

Bram Johnstone

The report on the visitors' website states that we started confidently, which is probably not untrue. It also refers to their more controlled approach, a fair assessment, our problem after a few minutes being that, whilst we were not without some individual quality, we were unable to put anything together as a team.

The visitors were 2-0 ahead at half time, which should not have been irretrievable, so we tried for a change with two substitutions, including bringing on new signing from Burnley, Josh Dolling, who featured in midweek against Kendal Town, but this time we were able to see him.

Josh Dolling

All this was to no avail, as the visitors scored quickly after half time, and managed two more to make their day complete.

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 0 Mossley 5.

Turnstile body ready

An advantage of a game at Burscough on August Bank Holiday is that if you are beach body ready, you will also be trim enough to fit through the hosts' unfeasibly narrow turnstiles. As for the rest of us...

Dr Tony and I arrived at the Hop Vine at the same time from different directions. They had had a beer festival over the weekend, and were selling off the festival beers for £1.50 per pint, with eight or nine still available, so it would have been rude not to partake. As we approached the ground, we thought our visit might have been unwise if we had put on any weight.

We arrived to find a bright, sunny day, like the one, almost 12 years ago to the day, on which I first took a camera to a game. The sun can be a problem at Burscough, as there are a lot of light surfaces, which can cause glare. I did not have much time to ponder this, as we were quickly in the lead, with a goal from James Edgar, recorded in the 0th minute, which seemed to disrupt the space time continuum: I thought you started in the first minute. Either way, I got a picture, on the "a goal is a goal" principle.

In the last couple of games, we have scored early only to find ourselves unable to press home the advantage. This was not to be on this occasion. Next to score was Rob Doran, after nine minutes. I was doing well, having caught this goal too, although it needed some tweaks on the lighting.

This was to be a feature of the afternoon, the conversion in ViewNX seemed to be defeated on many images by the glare and associated deep shadows, so I found myself trying manual conversion for a quarter of the frames. The technically minded can see in Google Photos where I think this worked, as the file name contains a (2).

Prescot goals turned out to be a feature of the afternoon too. Next to score was Jack Phillips.

To complete the scoring for the first half, Joe Herbert was impeded in the area ...

... with Rob Doran converting the resulting penalty.

For the second half, the direction of the sun meant a bit less glare, but did not eliminate it completely. The substitutes had a chance to try out the league's new bibs, as they did not clash with anyone's kit.

Jacob Jones

The second half had an air of a job having been done. Rob Doran completed his hat trick with a long distance shot, but play was a lot more in our half, with our defence remaining solid. I was concerned the Tesco next to the ground meant the perimeter wall may give the impression it does not prevent viewing the game from outside the ground.

Sam Staunton Turner

Our convincing win left us in the unaccustomed heights of third in the league after four games, and the hosts as one of two teams that have yet to post any points. I suspect Burscough will pick up as the season progresses, Dave Powell did a good job for us a few years ago with limited resources.

Dave Powell (front)

After the game, I went back to the Hop Vine, where the entertainment was an oompah band whose repertoire seemed more Ormskirk than Oberbayern. Selling off the festival beers was going well, as they were down to two by the time I left for my train.

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

Final score: Burscough 0 Prescot Cables 5 (Edgar, Doran 3 (1 pen), Phillips)

Weather of two halves

We were fortunate having a few dry days before Prescot Cables' home game against Mossley, although conditions were unlikely to be anything other than soft.

Before the match we observed a minute's applause for Linda Scott, who looked after the boardroom and match officials' hospitality for some years, and who died a couple of weeks ago after a short illness. The hospitality work is often not seen by the supporters, but it is important for maintaining good relations with other clubs, the League and County FA, and tributes from other clubs in particular illustrated how well Linda carried it out.

At the start of play, the sun was low in the sky, so the players were moving in and out of shadow, a situation for which auto exposure was invented. I do not think a lot about numbers in photography, you can expend so much effort remembering them you forget the picture. For most settings I just remember directions: faster shutter speeds for better freezing of action; higher ISO for more sensitivity, paid for by more grain. However, the first half repays some technical observation. We started off with a positively summery 1/1600s, f/5.6 at ISO 400.

James Edgar

Looking into the shadow of the stand, there is less light available, giving us 1/500s, f/5.3 at ISO 1600.

Andy Scarisbrick

The automatic settings are very responsive, here is Sam Staunton Turner at 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 1000.

Two seconds later, Sam has moved a couple of yards into more light, so the speed has increased to 1/800s, still at f/5.6 and the sensitivity decreased to ISO 800.

Amidst this technical information, I noticed there were half a dozen new advertising boards, all good revenue for the club. We are keen that you do not let your kids grow up thinking football is a television programme, but when the football is not on and you want to watch television, one of our sponsors will be able to sort out your reception.

Andy Nugent

Emerging after half time, the weather was a bit different.

Joe Herbert and Antony Shinks

I stayed under the stand for the first few minutes, and caught up with Ben Morrow, on loan to Widnes, whose game at Eccleshall had been postponed due to a band of rain further inland. Ben was feeling the cold in a decent coat with a furry hood. His father pointed out there are advantages of not playing in this weather.

Marcus Burgess

Once the worst of the hail had cleared, I went to the gasworks side. The wind was permeating my running gloves, and the shutter release on this camera does not seem as forgiving of slightly angled pressure as my previous one. In the end I had to take my glove off to ensure a fully downward pressure, completing the loss of sensation in my fingers.

We finished the game with eight men after a chaotic last ten minutes. Rob Doran was sent off after becoming involved in a melée, so we will miss him for at least three games in a couple of weeks. Then Charlie Duke was stretchered off after we had used all our substitutes, and having only come on himself a few minutes previously. Finally, Danny Flood, who had also come on from the bench, was chasing a ball with Mossley's Dougie Carroll when they ended up in a heap with Danny coming off worse.

With all this, and Mossley scoring a goal in each half to take the points, there was only one thing to do afterwards, namely warm myself in front of the coal fire in the Sun.

Photo by Steve Heninghem, crop by me

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 Mossley 2.

Herding cats and repelling seagulls

Before Prescot Cables' home game against Scarborough Athletic, I had been prevailed upon to take a team photograph. In the game, action happens in front of you, you point the round thing on the front of the camera in the right direction and keep pressing the button on the top. Provided you get everything you want in frame, and you are not trying to produce an arty A2 print, the computer is your friend when it comes to cropping. For the team photo, you need to direct the team to where you want them, normally the manager's problem.

The players gather for the photo

You think everything looks symmetrical, then a couple of people join from one side. Add to that it was a sunny day, and I was having bother getting the flash to work (spending my photography time on activities where flash is unwelcome, I forget even the basics). With the assistance of Mr Photoshop sorting out the lighting, I think I produced a presentable result.

The end result

I also did head and shoulders pictures of the players and management, the first time we have done these for the website. 

Andy Paxton

Whilst the players went to warm up, I fortified myself with a Whiter Shade of Pale, from the Melwood Beer Company, and a pie from the tea bar. There is money to be made in some sort of contraption to contain a portion of food and a disposable glass without the need to put the pint down every time you want to pick up the pie.

We were wearing our new kit for the first time. Puma used the ground in the summer for a photoshoot with Mario Balotelli, and the club elected to receive payment in kind. Our colour is amber, which has covered a range of shades over the years: my friend Roger, who first brought me to Cables, reminded me that when I started watching in 1991, it was a pale yellow. This is the orange end of the spectrum, and shows up well in sunlight.

Phil Bannister

For players who like to wear an undershirt, I am not sure about the availability of these in orange, and the trim is probably not enough to make black acceptable to a picky referee.

There were some new faces, some of whom I am fairly sure had not been there an hour and a half earlier. Things move quickly these days.

Ryan Stewart

Warren Bellew

After the good performance at Glossop, which was not quite enough to secure a result, we were hoping to go one better this week. An early goal from the visitors put us on the back foot, but parity was restored before half time by Rob Doran, still our only goal scorer for the season.

Rob Doran

The second half saw some determined pressure from the visitors who, up to this point had a 100% league record. Keeper Marcus Burgess, on loan from Salford, made some good saves, and from the visual point of view made them wearing smart plain black boots. As a traditionalist I approve, although it might make life more difficult if outfield players started doing it, as comparing boots is a handy way to match numbers on backs with the fronts that make it in to the pictures.

Marcus Burgess

After the game, I was contacted by TheNonLeague magazine for permission to use my photos of Marcus Burgess and invite me to become become a contributor, so I will have to pay more attention to the names of opposition players (numbers on the front of shirts, you know they make sense). Not that I needed to do so on this occasion: Scarborough is outside the magazine's catchment area.

A successful second half meant we were able to secure our first point of the season, and were not without chances to take all three points.

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

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Doran) Scarborough Athletic 1

Returning friends, departing friends

"We need to silence that drum", a visiting supporter said to his friend at the beginning of Prescot Cables' game against Droylsden. I was concerned that the drum's owner, Rod, might be about to be upended in the bushes at the Safari Park End. Fortunately, they had in mind to drown him out with noise, an endeavour in which they were not successful, but it made for a decent amount of noise at both ends.

Supplying decibels from the dugouts was Droylsden's Assistant Manager, Ged Murphy, who left us to return to his local club at this time last year. It looks as though he has stopped playing to concentrate on coaching, but he was still in full voice. I am not sure about that jacket though.

Ged directs operations

Also with the visitors was Sean Myler, who scored some useful goals for us a couple of seasons ago.

Sam Corlett is challenged by Sean Myler

After rain at the last two games, it was a relief that it was dry by the time the game started, with low sun. At Hope Street, this can give problems with backlighting, particularly against the lighter advertising boards. Using the normal tools for the whole photo does not quite do the trick, or will leave the background washed out, so we have to lighten the player a bit more as with this picture of Danny Flood.

Here is the end result - I think Danny was happy, as it is now his Twitter profile picture.

Danny Flood

The first half was fairly even, until Liam Dodd scored in injury time. It is another picture in the "goal is a goal" category - as a stand alone photo there is too much space in the middle, of which Liam is neatly taking advantage.

Liam Dodd shoots for goal

Droylsden have been top scorers in the division by some distance, although, until our defeats in December they had also let in more than us, so I was sure we had not seen the only goal. My prediction was confirmed on the hour when Andy Fowler, sporting positively Finnish facial furniture (they like to keep their faces warm in the winter), scored for the visitors.

Andy Fowler

We are used to seeing Jack Phillips starting, but having him on the bench paid off, his pace and agility, combined with fresh legs, came at just the right time.

Jack Phillips

Both sides had further chances, but Prescot held on for a hard earned point, a credit credit to all the team and holding Droylsden to their first draw of the season. The Walloper's Way man of the match poll was won by Ciaran Gibson, not least for a save in injury time described by Neil Prince as "world class".

Ciaran Gibson

Although Rob Doran was not playing, our visitors liked him so much they took him away with them. Rob has been one of our best players and team members over the last season and a half, our top scorer last season, and this blog wishes him success in his future endeavours.

Rob Doran at our fixture at Droylsden earlier in the season

The rest of the pictures can be seen here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 1 (Dodd), Droylsden 1