VICTORIOUS VICS GO TOP WITH STOPAGE TIME WINNER AT CABLES

PRESCOT CABLES 2 V NORTHWICH VICS 3

                                        EVOSTIK NORTH 24 JAN 2015---3PM

THE VICS SUPPORT ENCOURAGES THE GREEN AND WHITES TO VICTORY

It was a grandstand finish in the fourth minute of stoppage time from Vics Richie Bennett that sent the visitors back to the top of the table in front of probably one of the most impressive 'grandstands' at this level of football.

PRESCOT CABLE COMMUNITY CLUB AND ITS CLOSE BY!

The day though started much earlier than 4.49pm with an early train departure to the north west and thanks to a very cold carriage I was nearly ready for the chilly welcome in Manchester.  Ease of travel took the blog to St Helens Junction to meet up with Kristian Silcock who just happened to be officiating at Hope St today.  I was given a grand tour of St Helens and a minute later we were in Lloyds No 1 enjoying breakfast!  In fairness a look at Langtree Park, home of ST Helens RLFC was undertaken, the Pilkington glass works factory and chimneys and the Steve Prescott Bridge.  The latter named after St Helens rugby league player is currently lit in purple to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.  So there was Prescott already mentioned but with one 't' too many and upon arrival at Hope St the entry is through smart iron gates and after the bright mural on view the stand out feature of the ground is its old stand on the style of many of the football league grounds of its day.  Now freshly emblazoned with brightly coloured seats I did have a look upstairs but there were not too many views that couldn't be gained at ground level so spent the match at pitch side.

A BRIGHT WELOCME

Behind the top goal is a two stepped terrace with small grass bank, opposite the main stand is a hard standing walkway with grass bank behind half of this giving a good view of the action.  Back to the goal where we entered the ground and this terracing laps around the goal in a v shape with half now covered and the other half having lost its cover remains open to the elements once again with a embankment view after the terraced steps.

GAS WORK BANK VANTAGE POINT ONE MAN AND HIS TWO DOGS

After a look around the board room and function room which is impressive, all situated under the stand, it was time to do a lap around and take some pictures.  Upon return I met Prescot fan and committee member David Williams who told me he had worked in the blogs home town in pantomime a few years ago, David also told me about how comedy actor David Walliams changed his name from Williams because our David already had it registered with Equity.  A bit of research later showed that our Prescot David had featured in Cornoation Street as cannabis cake baker in a storyline as a the soaps lollipop man a few years ago in which he starred opposite Stephanie Cole.  Nice to meet you David he was a genuinely nice man who welcomed me to Prescot Cables FC and as ever in non league was proud of his club.  Of course not to miss out Mr Williams is also the PA announcer at Hope St.

DRUMMER, BUGLE SOON TO BE PHOTOGRAPHER MAN

Also of note here is the multi talented [?] drummer who also serenades on the bugle during the game!
The game was a cracker with struggling Cables upsetting the apple cart by leading at half time through Jack Phillips.  The second half saw Gary Burnett equalise before Jimmy Edgar returned the home side to a lead, once again Vics levelled through Godwin Abadaki and it was then the Prescot fans feared for the sides ability to hold on.

THE TEAMS WELCOMED BY THE DRUMMER

Referee Gary Hilton authorised four minutes of stoppage time and Prescot's hearts were broken when in the fourth minute Bennett drove home to give Vics three points that must have seen the ultimate finish to any game for the winner side but for the losers the hardest of losses to take.
A draw would probably have been a fair result and you had to feel sorry for struggling Prescot who had put so much into this game against high flyers Northwich Vics.
Writing up this blog the following day it never ceases to amaze me that even after letting the half time Bovril cool down you still find the next day that its burnt your mouth out!  I reckon this is one of the conundrums of football tea bars!

CABLES TOM QUINN IN SALMON LIKE POSE

So another new visit and enjoyable day out in the north west with as usual an interesting mix of people met all topped off by an excellent 90, 94, minutes of football, the crowd of 184 had been well entertained.

START OF THE DAY HERES A LOOK AT LANGTREE PK ST HELENS RUGBY LEAGUE GROUND