PRESTWICH FC were crowned Champions of the Lancashire Amateur League on Monday night following a one-sided 7-0 win at Hindley Juniors in the Premier Division.
A remarkable run in the second half of the season has seen Craig Howarth’s team win eleven and draw two of their last thirteen games to pip rivals Old Boltonians to the title by a single point.
Old Boltonians loss to Rochdale St Clements a couple of weeks ago opened the door for Prestwich and then their draw with Horwich Victoria last week meant the fate of the trophy was in the Heys Road team’s hands.
Although the Bolton side could still boast the same as the two challengers still had to play each other in the penultimate game of the season last Saturday.
In that match a nervy Prestwich got through to half time with no score until Lee Bushell’s corner found the net early in the second half.
Prestwich had chances to kill off the game and seal the championship that day but Ashford Blake and Richard Steadman both saw efforts come back in to play off the woodwork.
Boltonians did equalise and had a couple of chances themselves but Prestwich held out for the draw to set up a final day decider.
On Monday night, Prestwich travelled to second-bottom Hindley Juniors while Old Bolts entertained Little Lever at Tower Street. Prestwich, ahead by a point, just needed to win their game to be sure of their first Premier Division title.
And the game started well for the visitors as Tom Walsh poked home in the fifth minute, just 60 seconds after having a previous strike ruled out for offside, to set Prestwich on their way.
The only surprise was that the lead wasn’t extended sooner as the champions elect sent numerous chances high and wide as the first half progressed.
Then when a Hindley player was sent off on 40 minutes following a tussle with Prestwich defender Chris Hudson, and Paul Taylor’s headed goal 2 minutes later, there was surely no way back for the home side.
Tom Walsh got his second of the game just after the hour and started off a quickfire blast from Prestwich with Sean Haslam and Peter Gallagher both getting on the scoresheet soon after.
With the celebrations starting on the touchline, defender Mike Kirkley ventured forward to get the first of his brace before goalkeeper Alex Blake fancied a piece of the action.
When a direct free-kick was awarded on 77 minutes, the previously untroubled ‘keeper ventured up field to unleash a powerful drive that his Hindley counterpart did well to turn over the crossbar.
Kirkley then saw his low centre trickle in to the net for his side’s seventh of the night before the referee ended Hindley’s misery to the sound of popping Prestwich champagne corks in the background.
PRESTWICH – Blake, Roberts, Kirkley (2), Gallagher (1), Steadman, Taylor (1), Hill, Walsh (2), Haslam (1), Ashford Blake, Hudson (Seaton)
Match Photo’s – Hindley Juniors 0, Prestwich 7
