The only surprise in what was a scintillating first half display was we had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first goal to arrive. Having dominated from the start playing some nice football working the back to front on a good playing surface Prestwich had been carving out several chances from the start without quite managing to break the deadlock.
Bedians for their part were content to try and stifle the flow as best they could whilst hoping to pinch something on the break which looked a real possibility as they clearly had a goal threat in a couple of mobile strikers.
Just when one was starting to fear it was going to be one of those days for Prestwich Mike Neary made yet another penetrating run down down the right to set up Martin Hill for a smart finish.
The goal settled everyone’s nerves and Prestwich took even tighter control of the game. The second came on 30 mins when a Neary corner from the right saw Liam Burke challenge the keeper forcing a spill and Richard Steadman was on hand to head home emphatically for his second in as many games.
On 36 mins Burke who largely controlled the pattern of the game in the first half having an excellent game was again involved this time picking out Sean Haslam with a fine pass for a clinical finish.
On the stroke of half time Steve Murty set off on a typical weaving left to right run and having left several players in his wake was crudely brought down in the box, he duly converted the ensuing spot kick to make it 4-0 at the interval.
As has often been the case this season having gained a comfortable lead a malaise set in the side for the early stages of the second period. Bedians pulled one back on 47 mins and then on 56 mins right back Pete Gallagher became involved in an unsavoury incident, it began with a petulant foul by Gallagher on the Bedians left back but the aftermath became very ugly quite rightly resulting in the dismissal of both players.
Having lost shape and discipline Prestwich conceded a second on the hour and for the first time progression into the next round appeared to be in doubt as Bedians now had their tails up.
Gradually though Prestwich settled down and re-established control of the game. Burke who’s calm control shone throughout the game helped extinguish Bedian’s late rally on 80 mins with a cute knock down from a Neary cross to set up Haslam for a close range finish, and there was still time for Hill to put the icing on it meeting a long low driven Steadman pass from deep on the right with a well timed run and first time finish.
