CUP PROGRESS IN THE GLOOM

Prestwich successfully negotiated the preliminary round of the league cup after this 5-0 win in atrocious conditions against Radcliffe Boys.

With new signing Danny Morley inserted straight in to midfield, Prestwich made their early possession count after twenty minutes when Luke Smith crossed for Martin Hill to head home from six yards.

And Smith took another assist just moments later as his centre from the right was this time converted on the turn by Ashley Hoolighan.

Then when Mike Kirkley burst through from full back to fire in from the angle, the game was made pretty much safe before half time.

As the night rolled in and the constant rain got heavier, it was really a struggle for both sides but it was Prestwich who continued to look for more goals.

Substitute Shaun Jackson found Hoolighan in space for the striker to notch up his second of the game mid way through the second half.

A chance for his hat-trick arrived soon after following a foul in the box but Hoolighan slammed his spot kick against the cross bar.

Then after curling a fine effort against the far upright, it looked like a deserved third for the striker was not going to happen.

That was until a few moments from time when Hoolighan successfully took chance to notch up his third and Prestwich’s fifth to set up a first round tie against the winners of Oldham Hulmeians and Chadderton.

PRESTWICH: Blake, Buckley, Kirkley (1), Morley (Jackson), Taylor, Kosub, Smith, Walsh, Hoolighan (3), Roberts, Hill (1)