Sean Haslam’s triple helped secure maximum points against bottom club Chaddertonians as Prestwich moved up to fourth in the Premier Division on the same points total as the top three teams.
On a pitch just about passed fit for play, Prestwich raced in to an early lead as Haslam’s neat first time turn and shot went through a defenders legs and found the corner of the goal.
Winger Lee Bushell nearly doubled his side’s lead but his low drive cutting in from the left bounced back in to play off the foot of the far post.
The second did come though after 27 minutes, Bushell again involved as his deep cross found the head of Shaun Jackson who made no mistake from close range.
‘Keeper Alex Blake then pulled off a superb one handed penalty save to ensure the home side went into the break with their two goal lead intact. This was infact the seventh penalty in a row that Blake had faced that has either been saved or missed by the taker.
And just five minutes after the restart, Prestwich made the game safe as Haslam latched on to a stumbling Bushell’s heavy touch before calmly slotting low past the advancing ‘keeper.
On 75 minutes, Haslam completed his hatrick with a powerful shot from the angle that found the top corner despite the Chaddertonians ‘keeper’s best efforts.
However, within a minute the visitors had broke up the field to pull a goal back before Haslam nearly made it five as his dipping effort crashed back out to safety off the crossbar.
Chaddertonians pulled another goal back shortly after which signalled the start of an excercise in keeping the ball from the Prestwich players as they successfully saw the match out without any further troubles.
PRESTWICH: Alex Blake, Craig Howarth, Mike Kirkley, Peter Gallagher, Richard Steadman, Paul Taylor, Shaun Jackson (1) (Tom Platt), Darren Buckley, Sean Haslam (3), Ashford Blake, Lee Bushell (Chris Hudson)
• The Reserves drew 2-2 with third placed Failsworth Dynamos Reserves in Division Three. Andy Smith and Paul Sambrook scored the goals for Prestwich.
• Prestwich A Team’s game at Bolton Wyresdale in Division Four was called of on Friday due to a waterlogged pitch.
• Weather permitting, games next weekend are as follows:
Failsworth Dynamos v Prestwich – Wright Robinson, Kick-off 2pm
Prestwich Reserves v Bacup United – Heys Rd, Kick-off 2pm
[Waiting for A Team fixtures from the League]
Prestwich Sunday v AFC Swan- Outwood Rd, Kick-off 10:30am
Match Photo’s – Prestwich 4, Chaddertonians 2
