Astley Bridge 1, Prestwich 5
Lancs Amateur League Division Two at Stapleton Ave, Bolton
Saturday 17th October 2009
Goals from Craig Howarth (2), Shaun Jackson, “Lenny” Lott and Sean Haslam gave Prestwich the three points from a five-one win in Saturday’s Division Two match against bottom club Astley Bridge.
Lee Metcalfe’s men didn’t need much time to get ahead in this first of two matches against the Bolton side in as many weeks, as Haslam’s mis-kicked shot looped high in the air and landed perfectly on the head of Howarth to nod in from four yards.
Haslam was in the thick of it again soon after but his delicate lob over the advancing Bridge ‘keeper bounced just inches wide.
Curtis Ward slammed a close-range shot over the crossbar on 20 minutes but despite the Prestwich dominance, the home side kept the scores down to just one at the break.
With the suberb Joe Kosub pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Prestwich didn’t have to wait long after the restart before doubling their lead.
Shaun Jackson fed Howarth down the right flank and as the dynamic midfielder angled in on goal, he struck a low shot past the advancing ‘keeper for his fifth first team goal of the season.
Haslam then wasted a couple of decent chances to add to the Prestwich tally before John Blezard set up the energetic Jackson to force home from six yards.
Matty Lott’s strike from the edge of the box found it’s way in to the net in the 70th minute before Haslam finally got the goal his workrate deserved as he poked the ball over the line from close range.
A decent strike from an Astley Bridge forward in the 78th minute beat the otherwise redundant Prestwich ‘keeper Scott Parker but the goal didn’t take the gloss of a thoroughly professional performance by the Heys Road side.
The “return leg” awaits this Saturday, kick off at Heys Road is 2:30pm.
PFC: Parker, Hopkins, Ward (Barnes), Lott (1), Steadman, Moir, Howarth (2), Kosub, Haslam (1), Jackson (1) (Roberts), Blezard (McGovern)
• Prestwich Reserves continued their 100% start to the league season with a 1-0 over Thornleigh ‘A’ at Heys Road on Saturday. Daniel Frappola’s first half strike proved decisive as Robbie Monetti’s men stayed top of Division Six with four wins from four.
• The sunday team bounced back from their heavy defeat last week to record a 4-1 win over AFC United in the Millennium Cup first round at Heys Road. New Sunday signings Joe Kosub and Chris Crookes got on the scoresheet as did returning striker Sean Haslam. Sub Danny Healey tapped home the fourth in a hugely improved performance from Pete Lorenzini’s side.
