Highcross 2, Prestwich 0
Lancs Amateur Cup Round Two, Collins Park, Blackpool
Saturday 26th September 2009
Prestwich travelled up to Blackpool for this Lancashire Cup second round tie full of confidence on the back of two good cup wins over Santos and Bacup United.
Striker Shaun Jackson was soon on the attack and his neat touch in the sixth minute set up skipper Matt Lott on the edge of the box but the midfielder fired just over the bar.
But just minutes later, the home side edged in front as Prestwich failed to deal with a corner as the ball was headed back across leaving an unmarked forward a simple header that beat ‘keeper Scott Parker.
Curtis Ward then saw a fierce long ranger well turned behind by the Highcross goalie before Ward again went close with a shot that zipped wide.
Craig Howarth’s free-kick was headed wide by Danny Ingham before another set-piece, this time taken by Jackson, was well saved.
Ward saw another effort from distance tipped behind before Prestwich were dealt a hammer-blow of conceding a second somewhat against the run of play on the half-hour.
Despite their first half chances, Prestwich were not playing well and a half-time dressing down took place behind a firmly closed door.
But whatever was said obviously did the trick as a much improved Prestwich played out most of the second half with the home side on the back foot.
However, resorting to panic long balls forward as the time ticked away, Lee Metcalfe’s men never really enjoyed the same quantity of chances as their poorer first half showing brought, a Jackson shot just too high being the nearest the visitors came to pulling a goal back.
PFC: Parker, Kosub, Hopkins (Blezard), Lott, Steadman, Moir, Howarth, Mercer, Ingham, Jackson, Ward
• Roberto Monetti’s reserves continued their good form with a 7-2 win over Thornleigh ‘B’. Goals from Karl Seaton (2), Carlo Balsamo (2), Dan Frappola, Kieran Comiskey and Mike Kirkley sealed the points and kept them top of Division Six with three wins from three.
• The Sunday team had three goals disallowed as they drew a blank at Cross Keys on Hollinhurst last weekend. Mike Hudson was in fine form in the Prestwich goal while sub Joe Walmsley’s last minute strike was thought to be the winner by everybody present, apart from the referee.
