Prestwich rediscovered their winning touch in some style after this 5-0 success at Old Boltonians in the Premier Division.
Lee Bushell scored twice while Tom Walsh, Darren Buckley and the returning Sean Haslam were on target in what was arguably one of the best performances from a Prestwich side over these last two and a bit season’s.
A bit of a wobble over recent weeks had seen Prestwich pick up just a single point from the last nine available, a run that had left them glancing over their shoulder at the teams behind.
One of these team’s were their hosts, Old Boltonians, just two points behind Prestwich but with four games in hand. A win was essential.
As the hosts kindly provided hot vimto’s to the Prestwich bench, the opening half an hour of the contest was an even affair with half-chances at both ends. That was until Old Bolt’s conceded a free-kick about 20 yards out from their goal. Midfielder Tom Walsh stepped up to smash a stunning drive through the wall and in to the top corner.
Just minutes later and there was an incident that shaped the rest of the match to come. A robust challenge on the half-way line brought angry reactions from a number of Old Bolt’s players as they ran in from all corners of the pitch to get involved in the melee.
Prestwich skipper Richard Steadman stepped in to restrain and push away at least three home players and probably saved them from getting in further trouble had their attempts to get at the Prestwich player involved in the original challenge succeeded.
Yet to everybody’s astonishment, including the home bench, the referee decided to show Steadman a straight red card for violent conduct!
As the arguments died down and the dust settled, an embattled Prestwich regrouped, dug in and worked harder than ever to not let their slender advantage slip.
And as is seen quite often, the unity and determination of the team with the lesser numbers proved too much for the full complement of Boltonians players as Lee Bushell surged forward to slot home inside the near post for two-nil.
Then it was ten v ten as an already booked Old Bolt’s player received a second yellow for kicking out at a Prestwich forward on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was again powered goalwards by Walsh but this time Sean Haslam was on hand to tap home as the ball rebounded in to his path from the ‘keepers save. Three-nil.
With two other Prestwich players on a yellow card, the theme of the half-time team talk was to keep working hard and to keep their heads and not let all the superb efforts from the first half be in vain.
Just five minutes after the restart and the home side were down to nine men as another already booked Bolt’s player took off two footed at full-back Darren Buckley.
Now with an extra man against a forlorn opposition, a buoyant Prestwich switched to Barcelona mode as their crisp passing and lengthy keep-ball periods had the home side chasing shadows.
Various opportunities arose as Prestwich toyed with their opponents and chances went begging for Bushell, Anthony Roberts and Shaun Jackson.
However a late double for the visitors capped a remarkable day for Craig Howarth’s team as firstly Bushell drove in off an upright for four and then Darren Buckley waltzed through the middle of the park before side-footing the fifth.
PRESTWICH: Blake, Buckley (1), Bushell (2), Holden (Smith), Steadman, Taylor, Roberts, Kosub, Haslam (1) (Jackson), Hoolighan (Howarth), Walsh (1)
• Prestwich Reserves 100% record continued in to an eighth game with a 2-0 win over Astley Bridge at Heys Road. Jordan Clegg and Danny Jones on target for Liam Morrissey’s table topping team.
• Prestwich A Team equalised late on to earn a point from a three-all draw with Roach Dynamos Reserves at Drinkwater Park. Antonio Frappola and Danny Westwell scored before a piledriver from Aaron Saunders pulled Andrew Howarth’s men level.
• It’s cup action next weekend as the First Team host Chadderton at Heys Road. Prestwich Reserves and A Team both travel to Chapeltown to take on Old Boltonians Reserves and A Team respectively. All games kick off at 2pm.
