A Kenyon Cup Final appearance at Gigg Lane still eludes Prestwich following tonight’s agonising semi-final shoot out loss to Bolton County at Heys Road.
The large crowd were not only treated to an enthralling cup tie but also a remarkable penalty shoot out in almost total darkness that saw twenty spot-kicks between the sides.
Earlier on though, the visitors made a great start after only ten minutes when a shot in the top corner left ‘keeper Ryan Dillon no chance.
But Prestwich plugged away with Shaun Jackson and Ashford Blake having chances to put the home side level before Sean Haslam rounded the Bolton ‘keeper to equalise after half an hour.
However Bolton hit almost straight back with another classy finish from distance that found the roof of the Prestwich net.
After the break, Prestwich improved and had started to take control of the game but still squandered chances as both Blake and Buckley sent efforts off target.
But a little slice of luck came the way of the home side when Jackson’s deep looping cross from the right sailed over the back-peddling goalie and squeezed in to the far corner.
Both sides created a couple of half-chances as the game wore on but in the rapidly failing light, the game had a shoot out written all over it.
Could Bolton again progress from the spot following their quarter-final penalty kick win over AFC Bury or would Prestwich come out victorious?
Bolton got the tie-breaker underway with a successful kick with skipper Darren Buckley levelling the score. County went back in front and stayed there as Blake saw his effort well saved.
The visitors widened the gap to 3-1 before Richard Steadman pulled one back. Bolton scored again and Sean Haslam replied with the same to make it 3-4.
When Bolton then sent their fifth kick crashing in to Dillon’s upright, sub David Fletcher stayed calm to bring the score level at 4-4.
Dillon then produced a fine save to swing the advantage Prestwich’s way only for Joe Kosub to see his effort saved to keep the scores at four-all.
Bolton went back in front again before Anthony Roberts scored to make it 5-5. Still with us?
Dillon then saved again and as it was sudden-death time, all Prestwich needed to do was score. Unfortunately Tom Walsh didn’t.
County scored to make it 5-6 but Dan McHugh levelled again for the home side. Six-all.
And just as it seemed we could be here all night, the tie was finally decided after Mike Kirkley’s effort was saved following Bolton’s earlier successful kick.
6-7 The final score as Prestwich’s Gigg Lane dreams vanished in to the night for another season.
PRESTWICH – Dillon, Hopkins, Kirkley, Walsh, Steadman, Kosub, Roberts, Buckley, Blake, Haslam (1) (McHugh), Jackson (1) (Fletcher)
• The league season starts on Saturday and the fixture computer has churned out a belter to start us off as Champions Prestwich travel to Runners-up Old Boltonians. Kick off at Tower Street, Chapeltown is 2:30pm.
Match Photo’s – Prestwich 2, Bolton County 2 (6-7 Pens)
