The erratic nature of Prestwich’s season took a positive twist with a highly impressive team performance against a Howe Bridge side that was probably more accomplished then the Old Blackburnians side they’d lost to the previous week.
Whilst missing any recognised centre halves on the day Prestwich welcomed back Andrew Dean and Mathew Struminski, the latter filling in alongside Chris Adams at the back to make an unlikely pairing but both acquitted themselves very well.
With Dean at left back and Mike Neary relishing his new right back role Prestwich had one of the best full back pairings in local amateur football on the day, both able to defend solidly and excellent going forward.
The opening exchanges were fairly even but Prestwich were serving warning of the threat they posed down both wings with Dean linking up neatly with David Prieto on the left and Neary similarly with Tito Miguel on the right.
Dean fired in several low crosses from the left that just failed to find Sean Haslam or Aldair Victorano. The lead came on 15 mins Neary driving a low hard cross from the right for Haslam to stab home from short range.
At 1-0 there was still a slight nervousness about the side having been so cruelly denied victory the previous week despite dominating most of the game and the hosts created several chances of their own, keeper Mike Hudson making a couple of smart saves.
Fears of another late upset rose when Haslam fired just wide in an almost identical situation that he’d earlier scored from Miguel this time the provider.
The nerves were settled on 38 mins when Miguel again fired a wicked low ball across the box and a back peddling defender deflected it into his own net for 2-0 at half time.
With a two goal cushion the lads were able to relax and played some delightful quick passing football cutting through the Bridge ranks at will throughout the second half, Martin Hill and Victorano joining the mass of players running at the Bridge defence at every opportunity.
Five more goals followed from Victorano, Buckley, Neary, Adams and Ingham crowning the day.
The pick of the goals being Victorano’s 20 yard daisy cutter to finish a brilliant move on the right between Hill, Miguel and Neary, Buckley’s volley from an Ingham lay off… and a magnificent solo goal from Neary running all the way from the edge of his own box to stab home past the keeper.
All in all it was a good day at the office with some really nice football played and testimony to what the team could achieve with a more consistent squad in a season where the unavailability of too many players on a regular basis has cost them dearly.
More consistency in the respect will surely see the boys climb the table.
