Old Mancunians Reserves 1, Prestwich 2
Lancs Amateur League Division Two at The Armitage Site, Fallowfield
Saturday 21st November 2009
Two very early Shaun Jackson strikes proved just enough for Prestwich to seal the win against Old Mancunians Reserves at the Armitage Centre on Saturday.
Moving up to fourth in Division Two, Lee Metcalfe’s men made it five league wins on the bounce as their promotion charge gathers pace.
Prestwich returned to the Armitage just a little over a month after giving Old Manc’s first team a major run for their money in the cup and Saturday’s league fixture against their reserve team started in much the same manner.
Jackson’s long ranger in only the 5th minute was too good for the Manc’s ‘keeper as the ball arrowed in to the net just under the crossbar.
And only a minute later, Craig Howarth’s low free-kick from the left was neatly flicked home by Jackson as the home side defenders stood around and watched.
But just as Prestwich looked set to rattle up a cricket score, the Heys Road side seemed to lose their momentum as the match deteriorated in to a niggley affair for the remainder of the half.
A couple of half chances for the visitors were all they could muster since the early frenzy, while collecting a few long rangers from behind his goal was Prestwich ‘keeper Mike Hudson’s total sum of activity as his defence – with the experienced Paul Taylor making his full debut – stood firm.
After the break, Jackson looked to notch his second hat-trick of the season but was unlucky to see his powerful strike slam back in to play off the underside of the Old Manc’s crossbar.
Hudson soon after dusted off the cobweb’s and reacted quickly to save low as the home side looked to pull a goal back.
But the closest Mancunians came was via their ‘keeper as his wind-assisted goal kick on the short pitch took one bounce over Hudson and dropped just a few inches past his left upright.
However, they did get back in to the game in the 69th minute as a near post header found its way in to the back of the Prestwich net.
Striker Sean Haslam wasted a glorious chance to put the game to bed but lacked a finish as he closed in on the exposed Mancunians ‘keeper.
And when Hudson struggled to collect a swirling high ball forward, his nervy juggle on his own goal-line left the Prestwich bench holding their collective breathes but, thankfully, the stopper smothered the ball at the third (or fourth) attempt.
PFC: Hudson, Hopkins (Barnes), Ward, Taylor, Steadman, Lott, Howarth, Kosub, Haslam, Jackson (2) (Blezard), Roberts (Woodcock)
• Prestwich Reserves got back to winning ways with a 5-1 victory over Bolton Wyresdale ‘A’ at Drinkwater Park. Brace’s from Bry Leckie and Matty Gaskell along with Carlo Balsamo’s goal kept Robbie Monetti’s side top of Division Six, four points clear of nearest challengers Chaddertonians ‘B’.
• The Sunday team’s scheduled fixture at home to Manchester Limo’s was called off on Saturday evening due to the still waterlogged Heys Road pitch.
