Prestwich 3, Radcliffe Boys 2
Lancs Amateur League Division Two at Heys Road, Prestwich
Saturday 3rd October 2009
Having played a total of just 5 minutes football in the last 24 months, our all-time leading scorer, Sean Haslam, made his long-awaited comeback on Saturday afternoon and soon slipped back in to the old routine with a goal after only seven minutes against Radcliffe Boys FC.
Following surgery on troublesome knee ligaments, the speedy forward eased back in to action with 50 minutes on Saturday as his team battled against the blustery conditions as well as their nearby rivals.
Although understandably rusty, Haslam showed glimpses of his former self, and his lightning pace, albeit probably only operating at about 75%, was enough to burst in behind the Radcliffe back-line to fire a shot low that the ‘keeper got a touch on but not enough to prevent the home side taking the lead. Goal number 48 from just 57 games.
On the quarter-hour, Radcliffe were gifted a route back in to the match when Richard Steadman was adjudged to push a forward in the box – although the defender was positioned in front of the player when the offence was committed – and the penalty was duly converted.
John Blezard fired wide from close range just a minute later as Prestwich looked to get back in front straight away but it was to be Radcliffe who took the lead, taking full advantage of the wind at their backs and getting their second in the 25th minute.
After the break Shaun Jackson shot straight at the ‘keeper clean through on goal but made up for it just ten minutes later as he scored from close range to level the match.
The turnaround was completed five minutes later as defender Mark Moir grabbed his third goal of the season with a headed effort with 20 minutes remaining.
It’s back to cup action next weekend for Lee Metcalfe’s men as they travel to Premier Division Old Mancunians this coming Saturday. Kick off at the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield is 2:30pm.
PFC: Parker, Kosub, Hopkins, Howarth, Steadman, Moir (1), Ward, Lott (McGovern), Blezard (Lewis), Jackson (1), Haslam (1) (Ingham)
• Prestwich Sunday team endured a day to forget as they went down 3-1 at home to Stainton Sharks. Curtis Ward’s free-kick wasn’t enough for Pete Lorenzini’s side in a poor match which also saw defender Mark Moir sent off midway through the second half.
