Old Mancunians 1, Prestwich 0
Lancs Amateur League 1XI Cup at the Armitage Site, Fallowfield
Saturday 10th October 2009
Despite dominating this cup tie against Premier Division opposition, and twice striking the frame of the goal, Prestwich bowed out of the league cup at the first round stage as they went down by a solitary second half strike from Old Mancunians on Saturday.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Lee Metcalfe’s side as their superb overall play left their much higher-ranked opponents chasing shadows during an entertaining first half.
Craig Howarth slammed a 20th minute volley against the Old Manc’s ‘keeper from Sean Haslam’s cross before Howarth turned provider only for striker Shaun Jackson to see his effort well saved.
Jackson had no luck again moments later when another effort was kept out with Prestwich finishing the half extremely unlucky not to be three goals to the good.
After the break, Stephen Foley fed Haslam who’s centre was met full on the volley by Anthony Roberts (pictured above), only for the ball to skim the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
Roberts then pulled another effort just wide of a post before defender Joe Kosub rose highest to head Howarth’s corner against the bar.
Curtis Ward’s long ranger flew inches wide and it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would take a lead they richly deserved.
But then as there looked only one team in it, a rare Old Manc’s sortie in to the Prestwich area brought about a goal when a forward drove an effort in to the bottom corner from 12 yards, just out of the reach of ‘keeper Mike Hudson.
Kosub headed against the bar again before Foley soon after saw an effort struck-off by a raised linesman’s flag.
Prestwich played the final moments with a nine-man forward line as they searched in desperation for the goal that would take the tie in to extra-time.
However, there was just time left for Mark Moir to receive the applause as an inevitable Manc’s break-away resulted in the defender clearing an effort off his own goal line.
PFC: Hudson, Hopkins (Moir), C Ward, Roberts, Steadman, Kosub, Howarth, Lott, Haslam (Barnes), Jackson, Blezard (Foley)
• Prestwich defender Richard Steadman reached a personal milestone in the Old Mancunians game as it was his 100th match for Prestwich (and PCCFC as it then was). Steadman is pictured on the right receiving his award from first team manager Lee Metcalfe.
• Prestwich Reserve team suffered a similar fate as the went out of the second team cup by three goals to two against Old Blackburnians Reserves at Drinkwater Park. Goals from Mike Kirkley and Karl Seaton weren’t enough as Robbie Monetti’s team lost their first competitive game of the season. Next Saturday, Prestwich Reserves will play their home league game against Thornleigh A at Heys Road, kicking off at 2:30pm.
• Prestwich Sunday team seem to have hit rock bottom and were totally embarrassed by the Waggonmakers on Sunday morning. A crushing (and record) 9-0 defeat was inflicted on the Heys Road side as they put in the singularly most appalling performance in the team’s history. What’s become known as ‘Black Sunday’ around the club has brought about somewhat of a watershed for the side as emergency crisis talks raged in the afternoon looking for a solution to the team’s problems. Expect big changes on the horizon as Pete Lorenzini’s team look to rescue their season when they entertain AFC United in the Millenium Cup at Heys Road next Sunday, kick-off 10:30pm.
