AFC Woolpack 2, Prestwich 1
Millennium Cup Final at The Riverside Ground, Ramsbottom
Friday 7th May 2010
A strike in the very last minute by holders Woolpack broke Prestwich hearts as Pete Lorenzini’s side lost out 2-1 in Friday’s Millennium Cup Final in front of a crowd in excess of 150 at The Riverside Ground.
Making their first appearance in a Sunday League cup final, Prestwich faced holders AFC Woolpack who themselves were appearing in their third consecutive final having won the previous two in 2008 as Duke of Wellington and then as Woolpack in 2009.
With the big game nerves possibly getting the better of some of the players in the first half, Prestwich still managed to create the first real opportunity as Sean Haslam raced through before laying off to strike partner Chris Crookes who fired straight at the Woolpack goalie from close range.
On 17 minutes, the holders got their noses in front when a cross from the left was superbly volleyed low back across ‘keeper Mike Hudson in to the far bottom corner. A goal well worthy of the occasion that sent the Woolpack followers in to raptures.
With Prestwich still struggling to get going, they were lucky to go in at the break just a goal down as a Woolpack centre deceived everybody and skimmed the top of Hudson’s crossbar on 40 minutes.
In stark contrast to the opening period, a rejuvenated Prestwich really set about their opponents in the second half and should have leveled after just three minutes but a free Haslam sent his effort straight in to the Woolpack ‘keepers arms.
On 57 minutes, Prestwich got the goal they deserved when a session of pinball in the Woolpack six-yard box finally fell to Haslam who notched a rare headed goal from close range.
The tie was there for the taking as a tired looking Woolpack struggled to contain Prestwich with sub Anthony Roberts enjoying success down the left before sending a volley from the angle just inches over the bar.
Haslam’s attempted cross hit the raised hands of a defender in the area but the desperate Prestwich claims for a penalty kick were waved away.
Shaun Jackson burst through the defence but rather than taking a touch, opted to loft the bouncing ball over the advancing ‘keeper but sent his effort agonisingly over the bar.
Substitute Paul McGovern then found himself free on the edge of the box before cutting inside for a low left-footed effort that the ‘keeper saved well with his legs. Unfortunately, a little look up for the midfielder would have brought to his attention the three Prestwich forwards waiting unmarked for a pass and tap-in.
As the game looked to be heading in to extra time, Woolpack sent a long ball upfield and forced a couple of corners in an attempt to get the game wrapped up as the clock ticked towards ninety minutes.
And do that they did as a looping header from the corner evaded the outstretched arm of Hudson and the head of defender Tom Gibson on the line to leave the Prestwich players and fans stunned knowing there was next to no time left for another comeback.
PRESTWICH: M Hudson, Gibson, Walmsley (Roberts), Ward, Steadman, C Hudson, Lott (McGovern), Kosub, Haslam (1), Crookes, Jackson
• To cap off a miserable weekend, the Sunday Team’s season fell apart in full after a shocking 3-0 defeat to 4th bottom Duck Club at Hoyles in Bury. Missing SEVEN players from Friday’s cup defeat, Prestwich never got going against Duck and the home side capitalised on bad defending to go in two up at the break.
Prestwich pressed in the second half but, as usual, were guilty of botching up at least four clear-cut chances that would have kept the Heys Road side’s title chances alive.
But when the Prestwich ‘keeper let a high cross slip through his fingers just after the hour to gift Duck a third, the game, and season, was up as news later filtered through that Towler had defeated AFC United 5-1 to go back top of the Premier Division.
After all the hard work this season to get where we did, it really leaves a bitter taste having seen it all thrown away so easily.
