The colour of the shirt

Hyde United's supporters' coach to Prescot Cables had just dropped off its passengers as I arrived for our game. I was sporting my pink and blue striped rugby-style shirt - as I never get to London to watch Dulwich Hamlet these days, I have to get wear out of it somehow. To be fair, I should not wear it with my waxed jacket, the colours clash horribly. Two gentlemen in the queue took issue with my clothing choices, commenting that a man needs to be brave to wear pink. With some people around, you need to be brave to leave space between the ground and your knuckles, but we will let that pass.

The weather had been wet for a few days, with most of the matches in the area being postponed, and our VertiDraining again paying off, as we survived. The inspection is concerned with the bit the players use - the bit I use, where the substitutes warm up, was decidedly squishy.

A couple of visitors were familiar to us. Dominic Marie, who left us for Marine in October, was now settled at Hyde. I did not capture a very good shot of his return, as he was on the bench, and we were into the territory of pot luck catching specific players by the time he came on. David Brown has been popping up all over Yorkshire, usually scoring against us, for as long as I have been writing, and has now found his way to Cheshire (we observe traditional, and County FA, boundaries on these pages).

David Brown

After the last game, where the goal celebrations pictures featured those frequenting the Fence End, one of the Dugout Irregulars light heartedly expressed a little jealousy that they did not seem to feature, so I made sure I got them in.

The Dugout Irregulars watch Reece McNally

We enjoyed a competitive first half, with a couple of good chances, but without a goal. The match report from the visitors provided a fair record.

Harry Cain

A couple of minutes into the second half Lloyd Dean opened the scoring. I was in a good position to capture it.

Lloyd Dean shoots for goal

The League website has the next two scores in the wrong order, as it suggests Thomas Pratt levelled for the visitors before we went ahead again. However, we went two ahead with a goal from Jordan Wynne. I was on the side by this time, and caught the celebration.

As this was the earliest sunset of the year for a home game, I experimented with spot metering, which seemed to give reasonable results.

Baba Conteh

After our second goal, Hyde made some changes, including bringing off our traditional nemesis, David Brown, and replacing him with Dominic Marie.

Ben Barnes denies Dominic Marie

The almost inevitable happened when Dominic brought the visitors level with 15 minutes to go. We defended well for the remaining time to ensure we kept hold of a point.

After the game, I was speaking to Louis Coyne's father, who I had not realised played for Cables under Joe Gibiliru when I started watching in the 1990s. We agreed on the difficulty of getting a good picture of centre backs, as they can have a good game without getting much of the ball if they are closing down the opposition's ability to play, and there are often other players blocking the view anyway. As it happened I had a bit more luck with that than usual in this game.

Louis Coyne lines up a free kick

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 2 (Dean, Wynne) Hyde United 2.

Millennial

In the Liverpool Senior Cup, if a tie is postponed twice, the club drawn away has the option to play the game at their ground, and for our first round tie against Bootle, we exercised it.

The week before the game saw our Chairman, Tony Zeverona, announce his resignation after twelve years in the post. Tony took the helm when we became supporter owned after our former owner withdrew his support in 2005, and has guided us through a fair few difficult moments since then. The job involves a lot of work most people do not see, often missing a fair bit of the football, and not many people want to do it for ever. This is probably a good time to look for a successor, with the results of many years' work bearing fruit in the league, better attendances than for many years, and some silverware. Tony's resignation also came just after he achieved national fame in the pages of When Saturday Comes magazine, illustrated by a rather decent photo, even if I say so myself.

I found dealing with WSC most straightforward, they asked to use the picture (and some well known publications do not), offered a fee and paid it with commendable efficiency.

Turning to the game, although I was standing next to Ben Barnes (I say "next to", it was more in his shadow) when he confirmed that he was not cup tied, I am not sure he had enough appearances to be eligible. Reserve team keeper Jack Morton therefore became our eighth first team keeper of the season.

Jack Morton

We have not had many evening games this season, so I have not had much opportunity to experiment with settings. At the moment I am using centre weighted metering, getting more consistent results than matrix metering. I have gone back to processing the raw files manually, lowering the black until it almost loses definition, which works well for the sky.

Josef Faux returns from injury

As there was no rain, I took the filter off the lens. However, the first divot flying in my direction reminded me water is not the only thing I would rather be cleaning off a filter, so I rapidly replaced it.

Jordan Southworth opened the scoring after ten minutes.

Joe Herbert congratulates Jordan Southworth

I swapped sides half way through - I had been reluctant to do this as it means sitting behind the assistant referee, but there is more than enough run off by the side of the pitch to mean I am not impeding his progress.

Valter Fernandes

The visitors were depleted by injuries, but put up a good performance, and would have been disappointed not to have levelled the scores before half time.

Five minutes into the second half, Jordan Wynne increased our lead.

Baba Conteh congratulates Jordan Wynne

Lloyd Dean was next to score ...

Lloyd Dean

... followed by a second from Jordan Wynne a few minutes later.

Fixtures like this are a good opportunity to introduce players coming through from the Youth team, and we saw debuts from Matthew Kewn and Dominic Murphy. Capturing players, particularly substitutes, at evening games has an element of luck, and I did not capture Matthew. However, in the 90th minute, Joe Herbert had a shot saved, for the rebound to fall to Dominic, who did not err in putting it away.

Dominic Murphy (15) shoots for goal

When I published the photos, I acquired a new follower on Twitter. The 00 on the end of Dominic's handle tells me this was our first goal scored by someone born in 2000. It is enough to make you feel old.

Despite the score, this was not a classic performance. The Man of the Match award went to Jordan Wynne, who, in an illustration of the quest for quality in the team, felt he had not had a good performance, despite his two goals.

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 5 (Southworth, Wynne 2, Dean, Murphy) Bootle 0

Double letters and crown greens

My journey to Prescot Cables' game at Kendal Town was, as expected at this time of year, disrupted by the number of slow moving people out and about. Although my trains were on time, every time I tried to use a few minutes' connection time for a coffee, too many people got in the way, so I did not get one until I arrived in Kendal, by which time I could physically feel the caffeine infusing my brain.

At the ground they had a problem with unwanted double letters.

Mr Photoshop makes it the work of a moment to rectify.

The steward by the gate looked puzzled as I took a picture of the sign. I am not sure why, as it is behaviour he must have seen before: I know half a dozen people off the top of my head who like to do so, particularly if they are visiting a new ground.

I had time to spare of a length that needs an English word (I wonder whether it has one in German), i.e. not quite long enough for a pint, arriving as the players were changing. Our previous visitors from South Shields recommended gloves from Viper Goalkeeping, their local supplier, so I was called upon to catch a couple of shots of Ben Barnes trying the samples in the warm up.

Ben Barnes

Ben was back in action, but looking to wear these leggings to cover stitches from his recent work injury. We made what may have been an error by asking the referee nicely if he could. The Laws state that undershorts must be the same colour as the main colour of the shorts. At this level, where players use their own time and money to purchase such garments, most referees allow a continuation of any colour on the shorts. However, if he had encountered the number of shoppers I had, I can see how a spot of jobsworthery would brighten up his day, so he took a strict interpretation.

There was plenty of room to move behind the goals, so I decided to try out both sides in the first half.

Lloyd Dean

I had got up to cross over when play quickly came towards me, so I took a few shots standing up. Only one made it onto the final collection, but this illustrates perfectly the difference you get with your vantage point being three feet lower - note how much of the background is the pitch.

Chris Almond

The opposite corner gives a lot of sky in the background.

Baba Conteh

I knew Kendal's ground has a slope, which has been handy for photography in the past, but I thought it was a constant gradient. It is only from sitting on the ground that I saw it slopes upwards from the Parkside Road end before sloping down just before the half way line. There is a point at the other end beyond which feet start to disappear.

Joe Herbert

A goal from Lloyd Dean five minutes before the end of the half put us ahead, but the spirited spell from the hosts in response suggested one might not be enough.

The lights at Kendal are quite good, and the cloud had cleared, so I knew the combination would allow me to try out the end at the bottom of the hill before I needed to move to the side. Looking up to the stand gave a good background.

Jordan Southworth

A second goal from Jordan Southworth as I was moving round to the side gave us an extra cushion, which would prove to be necessary ten minutes from time when Kendal pulled a goal back.

This was the first game back for James Edgar, who left us for a while at the beginning of the season to try his luck in Tommy Lawson's stockpile of players at Marine.

James Edgar returns to service

Josh Klein-Davies had come on as a substitute, and took the chance to make a claim for a start with a goal in the last minute.

Josh Klein-Davies shoots for goal

After the game, I stayed at the club until the players got on the coach, and discussed cold places we have been with video analysis student Josh - which in his case seemed to be most places away from his home in the tropics of Wigan, whereas I recalled how cold this fixture was last year. I completed my visit in the Ring O' Bells for their local beers, open fire, and first class entertainment from the regulars in the public bar.

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

Final score: Kendal Town 1 Prescot Cables 3 (Dean, Southworth, Klein-Davies)

Disrupted arrangements

Many Prescot Cables supporters were looking forward to visiting South Shields on the 9th December. Rooms, train tickets and minibuses had been booked, with deposits and fares paid, and we expected a large support. Two weeks ago, the fixture was switched by the league to the 25th November as Droylsden progressed in the FA Trophy and South Shields were knocked out, so our longest away trip was brought forward by a mere 2 weeks at short notice. We would have had difficulty raising a side, as many players needed more than two weeks' notice to get time off work or rearrange family matters. Fortunately, South Shields were prepared for the possibility of going anywhere if they had won in the Trophy, so we were able to play our home game this weekend, with the away game over the Easter bank holiday.

We have not been accustomed to top of the table clashes, but the league leaders were visiting third place, so I was not surprised to find two coaches parked outside with a third manoeuvring in as I arrived. We attracted an attendance of 418, including a flag bearer from Scarborough, who called in on the way back from his abortive trip to Colwyn Bay, where their game fell victim to a late downpour. Our Verti-Draining once again paid off, as the pitch, whilst heavy, had no standing water from the week's rain.

There were a number of photographers, including Andy Nunn, whose work I have seen with Dulwich Hamlet and various southern clubs, some way off his normal circuit representing the Non League Paper. You can see his pictures here.

The visitors were captained by Julio Arca, formerly of Sunderland and Middlesbrough, and Argentina at youth level. I was tempted to engage in Copa America related trolling by asking Rod the bugler to play the instrumental introduction of the Chilean national anthem, but I suspected it might not be in his repertoire.

Julio Arca pursues Jordan Wynne

Two photographers were with the visitors, and Andy joined them at the Roadshow End, so I had the sole lens trained from the Safari Park End.

Reece McNally

There was an extra fixing behind the net (which may have been for the visitors' video camera), which prevented me crossing the pitch, so I stayed in one position for the whole of the half.

For the second half, I once again started in front of the stand at the Roadshow End. Many away supporters decided to stay put, either because they liked the cover amplifying their sound, or they had assessed the likely weather and did not want to be out in it. Either way, they were joined by our Fence End, so I had plenty of noise behind me.

Chris Almond

After a few minutes, I needed to move to the side for the light. The weather since the previous afternoon had been showery, and given the noise it made against my roof and window, was mainly hail. We had a couple of hail showers whilst I was on the Gasworks side. Hailstones are large enough to attract the attention of the autofocus, thus ruining a fair proportion of my exposures.

Harry Cain makes a tackle

We were holding the visitors at bay when Louis Coyne was dismissed for a foul denying a goal scoring opportunity, so for the last ten minutes we were defending with a man down. A superb team effort secured the draw and meant the visitors dropped points for only the second time in the league this season.

With a whole team performance, the man of the match award went to the captain.

James McCulloch receives his award

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen on the club website here - the Pitchero uploader has at last acquired an option to display the pictures in the order I took them - and on Google Photos here.

Final score: Prescot Cables 0 South Shields 0.

And your goalkeeper this week is ...

When I arrived in Goole, I visited a Polish food shop for a bottle of water. I was not familiar with the brands, but the flavoured one with a lime on the label caught my eye. The manufacturers' drawing was as good as my Polish, and it turned out to be apple, but quite pleasant anyway. Once at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds, I headed to the tea bar to make sure I did not miss out on their excellent steak pie. Whilst I was tucking in, club secretary Dan Roberts briefed me. Our goalkeepers have been somewhat injury prone since stand in Charlie Whittingham was unable to complete his game with the club a few weeks ago. With Marcus Burgess recovering from a knee injury, Ben Barnes looked to be settling in well, but he was injured at work in the week, so we had another replacement in the shape of Ben Purdham from Curzon Ashton.

Ben Purdham

Before the game, I discussed camera positions with video camera operator Josh, who is with us for the video analysis module of his sports science degree. For video, particularly for analysis, the ideal position is looking down on the pitch, which is not really possible at Goole, so he set up on the edge of the grass just inside the running track. For me, it is a case of the lower the better, so I sat on the running track by the side of the pitch.

Jordan Southworth

Although I thought this would be a better surface than the grass, as it was not damp, it is quite rough, which makes it difficult to turn with the action, necessary when shooting from the side.

After 15 minutes I went behind the goal, where I had to sit on the grass, better surface or not.

For the last fifteen minutes of the half I swapped sides. The home goal was kept busy.

Joe Herbert has an attempt on goal

Lloyd Dean opened the scoring.

Lloyd Dean shoots for goal

Baba Conteh is first to join in the celebrations

A goal from Jordan Southworth gave us a good cushion at half time.

It is not often you see a ship peeping above the clubhouse.

The sun had set by the start of the second half, but with little cloud there was enough light for me to spend the first ten minutes behind the goal.

Jordan Wynne and a Class 158

I then moved in front of a floodlight, where I found the light to be surprisingly good - the pylons were outside the running track, so I was sitting in more light than I am accustomed to. The hosts were playing well in the second half, and were rewarded with a goal twenty minutes in. Places at the top of the table are often decided by the efficiency with which teams deal with those at the bottom. Over the last few seasons we have inflicted a few surprises on those at the top. However, our current form has put us in a playoff place, and it looked for a while as if Goole might be able take their turn to snatch a point. However, two goals in quick succession from Jordan Wynne in the last couple of minutes secured the result.

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

Final score: Goole AFC 1 Prescot Cables 4 (Dean, Southworth, Wynne 2)

Yes you can score from there

Prescot Cables' game at home to Scarborough Athletic fell on Armistice Day, so we started with the traditional Remembrance ceremonies, this year including the Last Post, played by buglers from the Prescot Army Cadet Force.

Following this, there was a minute's applause in memory of Adam Ellison and Tommy Grace, both attacked and killed in the street in the town in the last month.

We attracted an attendance of 518, the second highest in the division after Hyde, also taking advantage of their local Premier League clubs being on the international break, and the third highest at step 4. This is our highest league gate I can recall for some years, our recent higher attendances coming in two Liverpool Senior Cup finals and in the FA Cup this season.

I took up position by the side of the pitch near the Safari Park End. We started a fast moving and competitive ninety minutes.

Baba Conteh

Before the game, I spoke to Marcus Burgess, who told me the injury to his knee was not as bad as he had feared, in that he had not torn anything and would not require surgery, but he still anticipated being out for a few weeks, and needed to take particular care not to come back before it was fully healed. Ben Barnes would therefore be secure in his place for a while. We had not had much chance to see what he could do at Glossop, but he was soon making some good saves, most of which had someone in the way, so I was short of photos.

Ben Barnes

I followed my practice from the last few games of spending about a third of the first half at the side of the pitch then a third each side of the goal.

James McCulloch

Our first goal came ten minutes into the second half. Josh Klein-Davies sent a ball into the area, which was cleared, then hit the post, before Baba Conteh was able to put it away. Our advantage was short lived as the visitors equalised within the minute.

By the time of our second goal, I had moved round to the side of the pitch, and captured Jordan Southworth's free kick.

Ronnie and Tony did not look as though they expected anything to come of it, so they were in for a pleasant surprise.

Next to have an opportunity from a tight angle was Josh Klein-Davies.

This time it was the turn of Chairman Tony Zeverona to wonder if you could score from that angle.

It would appear you can.

Despite good performances over the last few weeks, this was still a game from which many would have been happy to come away with a point, so securing all three was an added bonus and puts us into fifth place.

Ben Barnes was kept busy throughout, and secured a well earned man of the match award, with his definite physical presence just about fitting in the edges of the board for the presentation photo.

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 (Conteh, Southworth, Klein-Davies) Scarborough Athletic 1.

A fine comeback

Before Prescot Cables' game at Glossop North End, I adjourned for drinks with my travelling companions in the Star Inn, as convenient for the station as it can be without actually being in the building. I made sure I got to the ground in time for one of Mettrick's excellent pies, opting for the lamb and mint pasty. I was unable to find a fork, and made do with a spoon which made for an entertaining snack. The resident photographer was most helpful, pointing out the best side to stand for our team and the direction they would face for the handshakes.

We received bad team news during the week, with Marcus Burgess injuring his knee and suspecting he might be out for some time. During the week, in the FA Trophy at Stalybridge Celtic, Ethan Dorgan from the Youth Team had taken his place. I was unable to attend, but it sounded character building, as we exited the competition with a 5-1 defeat. For the medium term, we have signed Ben Barnes, who had been released by Marine.

Ben Barnes

As we play in yellow, I wear an orange hi-vis vest to avoid a clash. However, brighter shades are popular with opposition goalkeepers too.

Glossop's Paul Phillips denies Lloyd Dean

The quality of the light was excellent, with low autumn sunshine.

Dan Burn

Despite some good chances, we were unable to find the goal (or at least not the bit inside the woodwork), and went in 1-0 down.

As the clocks have now gone back, the light drops quickly in the second half.

Harry Cain

Former Cables player Tunde Owolabi has signed for the hosts after a short spell at Stalybridge, and came on from the bench after about an hour. He scored some useful goals for us, and quickly did the same for his new club. It looked as though it may be the all too familiar pattern of playing well and not getting a result.

However, the fightback came when Lloyd Dean got on the end of a rebound from a Jordan Wynne free kick on the edge of the penalty area twelve minutes from time.

Jordan Wynne

The team immediately set about trying to secure a point whilst I moved to the side of the pitch. Lloyd Dean followed up with a second two minutes later. It would have been tempting to try to hold on to a point, but we pushed for all three. Lloyd Dean was once again involved, forcing goalkeeper Paul Phillips to commit himself...

... before passing to Jordan Wynne to put the ball in the back of the net.

Scenes ensued.

Jordan Wynne is under there somewhere

Chris Almond also made a welcome appearance from the bench after missing most of the season so far due to injury.

Chris Almond

On the way back, my travelling companions and I stopped off in Manchester, where we encountered bizarre non-service in the Piccadilly Tap. I ordered drinks for three of us: the barman poured one and brought it over, then seemed to have a problem with the pump for the second. He disappeared for a few minutes, returned, still had a problem, disappeared again, and when he was unable for a third time to pour the pint, put on his coat and, without a word, left the building.

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

Final score: Glossop North End 2 Prescot Cables 3 (Dean 2, Wynne)