Hesketh Casuals 2, Prestwich 2
Lancs Amateur League Division Two at Larkfield Lane, Southport
Saturday 17th April 2010
Needing a win to secure the Division Two Championship, rivals Hesketh came from two goals down against Lee Metcalfe’s men to secure a point leaving the Heys Road side requiring a win against Bury Grammar Reserves in next Saturday’s season finale.
In an explosive start, Prestwich ‘keeper Mike Hudson saved well as a Casuals forward sent a powerful hooked effort goalwards.
Just a minute later and with the game barely five minutes old, striker Sean Haslam wasted a glorious chance to take the lead as he raced clear of the home defence only to send his shot over the bar.
Strike partner Shaun Jackson blasted wide before a Paul Taylor header from a corner on the right was headed off the line by an alert defender.
But on 20 minutes, Prestwich edged in to the lead when Anthony Roberts picked out Craig Howarth on the right. The midfield man’s deep cross looked for the run of Jackson only for the ball to be missed by everyone as it flew in to the Hesketh net.
On 35 minutes, Prestwich played out from the back as Mike Kirkley sent the ball long over the top for Sean Haslam to take a touch before crashing a volley over the ‘keeper and in to the top corner.
But the cushion wasn’t to last long as the home side capitalised on a rare misjudgement from ‘keeper Hudson as he lost the flight of a long ball from deep that sailed over his head before bouncing in to the net.
He did however make amends before half time with a good low save as Hesketh finished the opening period with their tails up.
And that mood continued after the break as a nervy looking Prestwich failed to deal with a corner on the right leaving the ball free to be bundled over the line for the Hesketh equaliser.
Looking void of ideas as the home side pressed for a winner that would put them back in the title driving seat, Prestwich at least defended well and kept their hosts at bay looking content to return to Manchester with a point.
And that point means that if Hesketh lose in their midweek fixture then Prestwich will be crowed Champions. If not, then a win at Heys Road against Bury GSOB Reserves next Saturday, KO 2:30pm, will see Metcalfe’s team clinch the silverware.
PRESTWICH: Hudson, Hopkins, Kirkley, Lott (McGovern), Steadman, Taylor, Howarth (1), Kosub, Haslam (1), Jackson (Ingham), Roberts
• PRESTWICH RESERVES ended the season with a 0-0 stalemate at Old Blackburnians on Saturday. This point coupled with the folding of the Hesketh Casuals B team, and subsequent awarding of three points to Robbie Monetti’s team, means the Division Six Title is brought back to Heys Road.
• PRESTWICH SUNDAY team overcame MPG 4-1 at Hollinhurst to move up to second in the Premier Division table. Goals from Paul McGovern, Chris Crookes (2) and Sean Haslam, coupled with favourable results from elsewhere, edged Peter Lorenzini’s side right back in to the title race with six games left to play.
• AFC Woolpack beat Footballers Inn 6-4 to book their place alongside Prestwich in the Sunday League Millennium Cup final. The match will be at Ramsbottom United’s Riverside ground on Friday 7th May kicking-off at 6:30pm.
