One year, two months and nineteen days since a double against Prestwich Heys in the Kenyon Cup, striker Shaun Jackson is back amongst the first team goals as Prestwich came from behind to beat Chadderton 3-1 and set up a home second round derby match with Old Standians.
While the long, slow journey to a full recovery is still being travelled since that horror leg break at Little Lever, the former top-scorer took another stride in the right direction with a goal that brought Prestwich level in this first round cup tie.
But that wasn’t until after a first half which despite the dominance from the home side, finished with both defences intact.
A sixth minute corner was headed over by Joe Kosub before Sean Haslam blazed over a half volley from ten yards.
Lee Bushell sent an effort across the face while Jackson’s cushioned header soon after went straight in to the ‘keepers hands.
On just 18 minutes, Prestwich created their fifth good scoring opportunity of the match as Haslam raced clear one-on-one but smashed his shot straight at the relieved ‘keeper.
Mike Kirkley and Bushell linked up well to create a chance for Walsh minutes later but the midfield man blasted wide from close range.
With frustrations starting to kick in, the visitors started seeing some of the ball for the first time in the contest.
A Chadderton set-piece eventually went harmlessly wide after bouncing off the mid-section of a forward before Kirkley went up the other end and drilled a chance over the bar from 12 yards.
After the restart, Alex Blake pulled off a good save to deny the visitors as he tipped an effort around a post. However, just a couple of minutes later and a mix-up at the back allowed Chadderton in to slot home from a tight angle.
That was the wake up call Prestwich needed and just after the hour, Bushell’s scuffed shot found Jackson who smashed in to the net from five yards.
Jackson was in the thick of it soon after when he was sent tumbling in the box for a penalty kick. Ashley Hoolighan converted in to the top corner to take a deserved lead.
Hoolighan then just missed out with a first time lob after the Chadderton ‘keeper sliced a free-kick in to his path.
But the win was wrapped up with a little under 10 minutes left as Walsh backed up last week’s superb free-kick with another exocet long-ranger from 25 yards leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.
There was still time left for Blake to tip another chance over the bar and for Hoolighan to find the ‘keeper’s legs with the last chance of the game.
It’s back to league action next Saturday as old rivals Hesketh Casuals travel to Heys Road for the first of our back-to-back meetings. Kick off is 2:30pm.
PRESTWICH – Blake, Smith, Bushell, Holden, Steadman, Kosub, Hoolighan (1 pen), Walsh (1), Haslam, Jackson (1) (O’Donnell), Kirkley
• Prestwich Reserves overcame First Division Old Boltonians Reserves at Tower Street 2-1. Goals from Danny Jones and Michael Hoggard set up a Quarter Final tie at Old Mancunians later in the season.
• Prestwich A Team battled back from three goals down against Old Boltonians A, also at their Tower Street ground, but couldn’t prevent the home side running out eventual 5-3 winners. Karl Seaton (2) and Daniel Frappola scored for Andrew Howarth’s team.
• Prestwich Sunday Team got their first point on the board after they battled back to draw two-all at home to Staff of Life. Joe Kosub’s strike gave Prestwich hope before an Edin Džeko-esque header from Peter Lorenzini dragged the scores level. Nick Kosub had chances to grab a much needed win for Jamie Comiskey’s team but a comedy fall over followed by a skewed shot across the face of goal let the visitors off the hook.
