Oldham Hulmeians 1, Prestwich 1
Lancs Amateur League Division Two at Tate Street, Oldham
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Mike Hudson’s breathtaking late save denied Oldham a winner and saved a point for Prestwich as the Lancs Amateur League resumed following its enforced six week winter break.
Anthony Roberts drilled home in the 20th minute to give the visitors the lead but Prestwich paid the price for not putting any of their numerous further chances away as Oldham got back on terms via the boot of the unfortunate Joe Kosub with ten minutes remaining.
With a thick fog rolling in on Hulmeians Tate Street ground, a rusty looking Prestwich carved out the first opportunity of the game with Sean Haslam and John Blezard exchanging passes before the latter’s shot was deflected over the home crossbar.
Forcing a number of corner kicks in the opening period, Haslam was soon after unlucky with an effort of his own as the Oldham ‘keeper saved well from the striker’s low drive.
But Prestwich were rewarded in the 20th minute when an Anthony Roberts strike cutting in from the right flew in to the far corner of Oldham’s goal.
The home side hit back and Prestwich stopper Hudson had to be alert to keep out a Hulmeians long-ranger just two minutes later.
After the break, substitute Dylan Robinson made his debut replacing Blezard and was inches away from scoring with his first touch in Prestwich colours but his lob over the advancing ‘keeper was hacked off the line by a covering defender.
Robinson was again out of luck in the 79th minute when his effort from Mike Woodcock’s pass was just too high.
Then Oldham enjoyed a period of dominance late on as they sensed a share of the spoils and got their goal in the 81st minute.
Following defender Richard Steadman’s withdrawal with a knee injury, midfield man Joe Kosub switched to centre-half but can count himself unlucky as his attempted clearance of a low cross was sliced in to his own net from 6 yards.
Just a minute later, the home side thought they’d won it when a corner from the right bounced back in to play off the far post before falling to a player on the edge of the box who’s piledriver was superbly tipped over by an airborne Hudson. It was an amazing reaction save that had all players and spectators applauding the Prestwich number one. (Alas no photo – sorry Mike!)
Sub and second debutant of the afternoon Liam Southwell saw an effort saved at the other end before Robinson’s free header at the near post sailed over the bar as Prestwich looked to regain their advantage.
It wasn’t to be though and although on reflection a draw was probably a fair result, Lee Metcalfe’s men will rue their missed chances that could have put them out of sight long before Oldham’s late rally.
PRESTWICH: Hudson, Hopkins, Woodcock, Lott, Steadman (Southwell), Taylor, Howarth, Kosub, Haslam, Blezard (Robinson), Roberts (1) (Foley)
• Prestwich Reserves went down by 5 goals to 2 against Old Mancunians B at Drinkwater Park. With manager Robbie Monetti in-between the sticks following the unavailability of regular ‘keeper Danny Bailey, and numerous other players missing for various other reasons, the Division Six leaders will look to next week’s trip to Broughton Amateurs to get back to winning ways. Paul O’Donnell and Brian Leckie scored for Prestwich.
• Prestwich Sunday team’s scheduled game against Duck Club was called off on Sunday morning due to a burst water pipe causing flooding on the Hoyles pitch.
