Despite missing keeper Mike Hudson and the usual central defense pairing of Richard Steadman and Sam Holden Prestwich ultimately cruised to three points against lowly Ainsworth. The only disappointment really being the quality of finishing which had it been anything like it should could easily have seen the goals tally doubled.
The lead came in the second minute when a typical mazy run inside from a wide right position by Mike Neary saw the ball find its way to Steve Murty who finished neatly.
The expected avalanche just didn’t come as time and time again Prestwich got into decent scoring positions only to snatch the final shot or simply pick the wrong option. Murty, Sean Haslam, Neary and Matty Struminski were all culpable, whilst David Prieto was unlucky with a terrify turn and shot from the edge of the area that just didn’t have enough swerve on it to come inside the post.
Whilst the afore mentioned group were pouring forward at every opportunity it was Chris Hopkins that was catching the eye performing the sentry role brilliantly, sat in front of the back four just doing the simple things winning tackles and having done that finding team mates with a consistent level of accuracy.
As the chances came and went there was always that fear that Ainsworth would capitalize on Prestwich’s profligacy and bag a goal in one of their sporadic chances but stand in keeper Carl Stabler dealt comfortably with everything that came his way, whilst the back four of Joel Hudson, Tom Gibson, Kieran Comiskey and Paul Taylor looked largely in control, so it remained 0-1 at the break.
There was always a feeling that a hard working Ainsworth side would tire as the game became stretched and sure enough Prestwich finally got the second on 55 minutes when a delightful ball by Hopkins the stand out performer on the day picked out Prieto who’s attempted chip over the keeper could only be parried out to the lurking Haslam to tap home.
The goal saw the departure of Matt Struminski who is due to return to a coaching post in North America having made a massive contribution to the side during his stay scoring three crucial goals and setting a fine example in terms of his fitness and commitment.
The third goal followed on 71 mins when a Haslam corner was met by Taylor with a text book downwards header giving the keeper no chance.
There followed a string of excellent saves by Ainsworth keeper Phil Kenyon mainly to deny Dave Thompson and some almost comical goal mouth pin ball sessions with the ball somehow not ending up in the net.
Nonetheless a fourth came in the 81st minute when Murty smashed the ball high into the net to finish of a nice move started by Haslam and with Neary providing the final assist.
Number five came in the 85th minute with a close range header by Prieto.
All in all in spite of the slight disappointment at not ramming home their superiority with more goals it was another good solid performance in spite of missing several key players that stretched the unbeaten run to nine.
Next weeks visit to Roach Dynamo is likely to offer a much sterner test.
