Prestwich gave a clear indication they are gradually coming to terms with the higher standards of this division with this impressive overall team performance against a strong Horwich outfit.
Prestwich lined up for the game with what was in effect four centre halves spread out across the back line but any concerns about a lack of mobility in the full back positions were soon dispelled as Luke Harling on the right and John Robertson on the left both looked very solid defensively, and whilst not surging forward on the overlap distributing the ball well to their more advanced team mates.
From the start one had the impression there wasn’t going to be much in this game with the sides looking fairly evenly matched albeit with slightly different styles, with Prestwich’s shorter passing game up against Horwich’s more direct approach.
After riding out a few early scares Prestwich took the lead on 9 mins when a nice link up between David Prieto and Mike Neary saw Neary play a low ball in towards Aldair Victorano on the edge of the Horwich box, a defender looked to have it covered but seemed to slip when he was about to clear, Victorano (pictured) took full advantage and showed typical strength to hold off the challenge whilst prodding the ball low past the keeper.
In front in the league for the first time this season the goal galvanised Prestwich and there was added bite into the tackle from everyone and a real determination to hold on to their lead. Horwich’s keeper did really well to tip another Victorano effort just over the bar whilst Mike Hudson mirrored that save a few moments later but real clean cut chances were few and far between for either side with both defences largely on top.
Several half chances came and went for both sides but it remained 1-0 at the break.
Horwich came out with real determination to level things in the second half but most attacks floundered on that Prestwich back line with Ross Salmon and Paul Taylor equally impressive in between Harling and Robertson, whilst Hudson too was on top of his game and made a couple of smart blocks on the rare occasions Horwich penetrated the back line.
As the half wore on Horwich began to run out of ideas with their attacks looking more and more desperate. Picking up the loose balls from Prestwich’s headed clearances Darren Buckley started prompting more and more from midfield and Prestwich looked increasingly like adding a second.
The screw was really turned with the introduction on the hour of new signing Andrew Dean wide on the left for what was to become a very impressive debut. With his almost ridiculous pace Dean began to terrorise the Horwich defence, Buckley and Victorano looked to pick him out at every opportunity and chances started to come thick and fast.
Sean Haslam was desperately unlucky with a cracking turn and shot that the keeper just managed to palm around and Prieto skewed a similar effort just wide as ball frequently fizzed across the Horwich goal.
As the seconds ticked by without that second goal the tension mounted as Horwich to their credit never gave up hope, although their attacks by now were almost entirely limited to long punts up the pitch in the direction of two big front men.
There was one major scare when a flick on saw the left winger clean through on goal, Harling stretched every sinew to make a tremendous last ditch tackle unfortunately suffering what looks like a nasty long term injury in the process.
The long ball tactic though was largely food and drink to Prestwich’s equally tall back line and most things were met by a towering header away and it remained 0-1 at the end to bring a much needed three points.
Whilst there were some really impressive individual performances on the day the performance and result was all about the whole squad pulling together and working for each other from front to back, if they can continue in the same vein they will be a force to be reckoned with in this league.
