Prestwich emerged from their extended winter break to collect all three points from a good 3-1 win at Premier Division rivals Old Mancunians on Saturday.
Anthony Roberts’s first half goal was cancelled out shortly after the restart but Darren Buckley’s header, quickly followed by Paul Taylor’s near post poke, knocked the stuffing out of their hosts and secured the victory for Craig Howarth’s team.
Considering Prestwich had been without any football since late November, it was an impressive start for the visitors who passed the ball around like they’d never been away.
In the fifth minute, Prestwich turned defence in to attack with a superb flowing move as Richard Steadman’s ball out of the box found Shaun Jackson who in turn fed Martin Hill. His defence splitting through-ball set Sean Haslam free down the right who then crossed to the far post for the waiting Roberts to guide the ball over the line with his thigh.
Prestwich continued to press but were denied in the 24th minute as Hill’s wind-assisted corner found Taylor at the back post but the defender could only slam his effort against the foot of the post.
It wasn’t one way traffic though as ‘keeper Alex Blake easily held on to an Old Manc’s long-ranger while a couple of other half-chances by the home side flew wide of the target.
On the half-hour, Buckley saw a shot well saved from the edge of the box before another great move set Hill racing clear only for the winger to fire his shot wide of the post.
But almost immediately after the restart, Old Mancunians got back on level terms when a ball over the top split the two Prestwich defender’s leaving their striker to run through and find the corner.
This set-back would have expected to swing momentum back in the home side’s favour but it was Prestwich who reacted as they set about restoring their advantage.
In the 50th minute, Hill’s dangerous cross in to the box from the right caused panic in the home defence as Buckley twisted and turned trying to get a bouncing ball under control. As the midfield man found himself inside the six-yard box, two desperate lunges came in from either side only for Buckley to jump out of the way and head the ball in leaving both the defenders out for the count as they violently clashed in to each other.
The game was effectively made safe just two minutes later when another Hill corner was poked through a forest of legs at the near post by defender Taylor for his first goal of the season.
The home side look to hit straight back with an amazing dipping effort from distance that crashed back in to play off Blake’s crossbar.
But the lack of recent matches started to take its toll as Prestwich tired in the latter stages. However, their two-goal cushion gave them enough to hold on to as they sat back and soaked up the pressure although without the home side really threatening the result of the game.
Next up it’s a trip to Bolton Arena to take on Horwich Victoria next Saturday. Kick off is 2pm.
PRESTWICH: Blake, Smith (Kosub), Kirkley, Walsh, Steadman, Taylor (1), Hill, Buckley (1), Haslam (Bushell), Jackson (O’Donnell), Roberts (1)
• Prestwich RESERVES home game against Bolton Wyresdale Reserves was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. This was the same fate as the A TEAM game against Ainsworth Reserves at Drinkwater Park and the home SUNDAY TEAM game against Huntley Mount.
Match Photo’s – Old Mancunians 1, Prestwich 3
