Prestwich ‘keeper Alex Blake pulled off a string of fine saves to frustrate Old Boltonians at Heys Road on Saturday.
Winger Martin Hill then rubbed salt in their wounds as his cross from wide sailed in to the roof of the net to seal a 2-1 win in the Premier Division.
Without a game for the last two Saturday’s, Craig Howarth’s men were somewhat on the rusty side as Old Boltonians looked to add another scalp to their 8 match unbeaten run.
Blake twice denied the visitors in the opening exchanges before Paul O’Donnell scuffed a 20th minute effort wide under pressure from a Bolt’s defender.
Sean Haslam sent another chance wide on the half hour but there wasn’t really much else to shout about from the home side as the team’s went in to the break scoreless.
Boltonians had a glorious chance to take the lead ten minutes after the restart as another Blake save kept out a forward’s stike only for the rebound to be thundered against the underside of the crossbar before being eventually cleared to safety.
But Prestwich’s luck wasn’t to last much longer as Blake was finally beaten on the hour mark when the visitors look a deserved lead.
However, the home side hit back and were soon on level terms when Haslam was tugged back when through on goal. Despite still managing to score, the ref had already blown up for a penalty kick so the goal was ruled out and the ball placed on the spot instead.
Leading scorer Ashley Hoolighan took the kick but the Bolts ‘keeper was equal to it and parried the shot. Thankfully though the striker reacted quickest and slotted home the rebound.
Just two minutes later and the visitors were cursing their luck again when skipper Richard Steadman saved a certain goal as he hacked an effort off the line.
Boltonians did have the ball in the net in the 72nd minute as a striker fired in a rebound from another Blake save. Fortunately this time, the assistant referee’s flag came to the rescue for an obvious offside.
With just 15 minutes remaining, Hill then picked up the ball on the right flank and looked to send over a cross for strikers Haslam and Hoolighan in the box. But his centre skewed goalwards and flew in to the far corner over a desperately back-peddling Old Bolts ‘keeper.
Now with a lead to protect, Prestwich became nervous and with their attempts at keeping hold of the ball not working out, the visitors camped in their opponents half looking for a breakthrough.
However, the Prestwich defence just about stood firm with Blake having the last word with yet another save to ensure the three points came to Heys Road.
PRESTWICH: Blake, Kosub, Bushell, O’Donnell (Ward), Steadman, Taylor, Hill (1), Walsh, Haslam, Hoolighan (1), Jackson (Holden)
• Prestwich Reserves enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 win against Astley Bridge in Division Four. Kieran Doherty scored a hat-trick with a goal apiece for Michael Hoggard and Chris Grant to make it 19 league wins in a row for Liam Morrissey’s men.
• Prestwich A Team failed to capitalise on periods of pressure in their Division Five match against Roach Dynamos Reserves at Darnhill. Paul McGovern’s strike earned a point in a one-all draw for Andrew Howarth’s team in their battle for promotion.
• Prestwich Sunday team put some more daylight between them and the bottom two in the Bury Premier Division with an encouraging 5-2 win against Huntley Mount at Heys Road. Craig Howarth, Nick Kosub, Kieran Comiskey and two from Shaun Jackson sealed the three points ahead of Thursday evening’s game against The New Swan at Outwood Road.
Match Photo’s – Prestwich 2, Old Boltonians 1
Match Photo’s – Prestwich Sunday 5, Huntley Mount 2
