Despite taking an early lead through Richard Steadman, Prestwich slipped to a 4-1 home defeat to Broughton Amateurs on Saturday in what was a thoroughly out-of-sorts performance from the Heys Road team.
In Division Five, the Reserves didn’t fare much better with a one-all draw at Oldham Hulmeians Reserves which saw Liam Morrissey’s team slip to third in the table. There was better news though in Division Six North where the A Team got a draw with table topping Rossendale Amateurs C at Drinkwater Park.
Joy for the Sunday team though as they blitzed Staff of Life 7-0 at Heys Road. Anthony Roberts the star man with five goals.
Prestwich 1, Broughton Amateurs 4
LAL Division One
Prestwich’s bright start to the season looked to have continued after just quarter of an hour of this visit of 11th placed Broughton Amateurs when Craig Howarth’s corner on the left was missed by the ‘keeper allowing defender Richard Steadman the chance to slam the ball in to the roof of the net.
With the visitors rarely venturing out of their half for large periods, the game was a dour affair as Prestwich huffed and puffed but found the Broughton defence an almost impenetrable object.
But when Broughton did get forward in the 37th minute, defender Paul Taylor sent a forward tumbling in the box for a penalty kick. However, Prestwich were let off the hook as the kicker rolled his effort wide of Scott Gibbon’s upright.
This chance gave the visitors some belief and within just four minutes they were level when a ball in to the box caused a mix up at the back with three Prestwich players going for the same ball. The unfortunate Tom Walsh getting on the end of it to put through his own net.
The turnaround was complete moments later when a ball forward bounced over the ‘keeper before Steadman looked to have saved the day hooking off the line. But once the ball landed back at the forwards feet, Steadman had no chance keeping out the follow-up.
After the break Prestwich set about getting the scores back level but really struggled trying to get the better of the Broughton defence. On the odd occasion there was a glimpse of goal, the shooting boots had all been left at home with an array of shots either high, wide, or straight down the Broughton ‘keepers thoat.
Switching about with the formation in a attempt to find a way through, Prestwich fell to a killer third with 15 minutes remaining and the game was gone.
And when Broughton broke through one and one with Prestwich players committed forward, their fourth was duly obtained putting the result way beyond any doubt – if it wasn’t already.
Next up is the visit of first placed Prairie United to Heys Road next Saturday, kick off 2pm. Bounceback required.
Oldham Hulmeians Reserves 1, Prestwich Reserves 1
LAL Division Five
Report coming soon….
Prestwich A 1, Rossendale Amateurs C 1
LAL Division Six North
Sitting top of the division with seven wins and a draw from their eight games, Rossendale Amateurs C travelled to Drinkwater Park to face a Prestwich side on a high after four straight successes.
And although the leaders grabbed an early lead after only 15 minutes, Prestwich had a quick chance to get back on level terms but couldn’t capitalise as Roberts missed his spot kick.
As the match wore on, it looked like Rossendale would take all three points until the home side were awarded another penalty with five minutes to go, this time Matt Gaskell found the net to level at one-all.
But with just moments remaining, Prestwich had a glorious opportunity to snatch all three points but unfortunately Gaskell couldn’t convert from close range.
Prestwich Sunday 7, Staff Of Life 0
Bury Sunday League Premier Division
Prestwich stretched their winning run to four games following this rout of Staff of Life at Heys Road on Sunday that moved Dulux and Clarkey’s team back up to second in the Premier Division.
The scoring got underway after just four minutes when Anthony Roberts picked up Craig Howarth’s precise pass to find the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.
The lead was doubled quarter of an hour later when Daniel Ingham found the net in off the near post following a parried save from another Roberts effort.
Roberts was having a field day and pulled off a quite ridiculous close range chip just moments later even with the Staff ‘keeper stood on his goal line to get his side’s third.
And his hat-trick was complete just a couple of minutes after when the skillful forward raced clear of the Staff defence before lifting another delightful lob over the advancing ‘keeper. Four-nil and not even 30 minutes played.
The scoring continued shortly after the restart and Roberts went lofty again with another chipped effort for his fourth and Prestwich’s fifth.
On 65 minutes, “Sunday Team Pro” Roberts raced clear again before slotting the ball past the keeper for an amazing fifth individual goal.
There were plenty of other chances throughout the match where a little more professionalism in front of goal would have seen the home side easily hit double figures.
As it was, there was only one more goal to come and that was from the penalty spot in the last minute where Curtis Ward stepped up to take a kick he earned moments earlier following a barge in the box.
A cheeky chipped finish from the spot probably a fitting end to the game.
