Prestwich’s path to next week’s Gigg Lane final has seen numerous obstacles put in their way over the last couple of months.
But all those postponements and last minute re-arrangements, annoying and disruptive as they were, pale in significance when blatant and obvious decisions during a match are not correctly given.
It is a trend that has hindered the team on numerous occasions during the season and, for whatever reason, continued today and pretty much ensured Prestwich were dumped out of the Kenyon Cup at the semi-final stage.
In just the opening minute, Prestwich went on the attack and as space opened up, midfielder Tom Walsh tried his luck from outside the box but saw his effort easily collected by the Heywood ‘keeper.
As both team’s then felt each other out in the opening exchanges, it was the home side who next created a chance when a forward broke through but poked his effort wide of the Prestwich goal.
Lee Bushell and Ashley Hoolighan combined well before the latter drove past the post while three or four other attempts from distance caused more concern to the Heywood supporters gathered behind the goal.
But on the stroke of half time, Heywood broke the deadlock as a strike from 20 yards squirmed under the dive of Kieran Watson in the Prestwich goal.
Buoyed by their opening goal, Heywood started the second half on the front foot and tested the Prestwich defenders as they pressed the visitors back for long periods.
However, Prestwich gradually worked their way back in to contention and were furious on the hour when a deliberate handball by a defender on the edge of the six yard box went unpunished.
It was clear to almost everybody present at the Phoenix Ground but the referee wasn’t interested and dished out a couple of yellow cards to Prestwich players for their protests.
Driven on by yet another sense of injustice, Prestwich piled forward and got a chance to level just three minutes later when Curtis Ward earned his side a free kick under challenge from a Heywood defender.
The passionate midfielder dusted himself down and despatched a superb curling free kick over the wall and in to the corner of the goal.
One-all and game on.
Winger Martin Hill then broke free down the right but his dink over the ‘keeper drifted just wide of the post.
Hoolighan and Ward both saw volleys from distance miss their target before the moment that ultimately lead to the visitor’s demise.
Skipper Richard Steadman hooked clear from his own byline only for the ball to hit the back of a forward and go out for a goal kick.
But the officials had other ideas and signalled for a corner kick instead. This was eventually taken and headed behind for another corner.
This time the set piece caused a scramble in the Prestwich box which resulted in a Heywood effort looking like it had been successfully hacked off the line.
However, as Prestwich broke upfield, play was halted and the goal was given. It was a close call but to be fair, the correct decision.
The main issue for the Prestwich players was the award of the original corner kick. The offending player later admitted that the ball had indeed come off him although he really was just stating what was obvious to everybody else.
Prestwich were now completely crestfallen and almost resigned to their fate as they went through the motions in the closing moments.
The final whistle went and Heywood celebrated as they booked their place in the showpiece final next Tuesday against AFC Bury.
As for Prestwich, well they need to pick themselves up fast and look for positive results in their last two league matches.
CMB are entertained on Saturday followed by the visit of Champions Castle Hill to Heys Road seven days later.
After the recent disappointments in the cup competitions, a six point haul from these games would at least end the season on a high going in to the summer break.
PRESTWICH: Watson, Kosub, Kirkley, Ward (1), Steadman, Taylor, Hill (Williams), Walsh, Haslam (D Jones), Hoolighan, Bushell (Jackson)
Match Photo’s – Heywood St James 2, Prestwich 1
