NO TOP SPOT AFTER FAILSWORTH LOSS

Prestwich missed out on the chance to go top of the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division yesterday following their 1-0 defeat at Wright Robinson against fellow challengers Failsworth Dynamos.

Declan O’Shea made his debut in midfield for the Prestwich First Team while defender Chris Hudson also made his first full start following a couple of substitute appearances.

An even first half brought good chances for both sides as first the home team went close but were denied by a goal line clearance from Prestwich skipper Richard Steadman.

Then striker Sean Haslam wasted a golden opportunity to put the visitors in front as he raced through on goal but could only direct his shot at the legs of the Failsworth ‘keeper.

After the break, Failsworth took the lead with a direct free-kick on the edge of the box that evaded the Prestwich wall and found the top corner of Alex Blake’s goal.

But Prestwich battled back and got an opportunity to score a deserved equaliser following a handball in the penalty area. Unfortunately Darren Buckley pulled the resulting spot kick wide of the ‘keepers right hand upright.

And when Chris Hudson’s header soon after was ruled out by an incorrect offside call, it was obviously not going to be our day in a game where a draw would have been a much more realistic result.

PRESTWICH: Alex Blake, Ashley Ward, Chris Hudson, Peter Gallagher, Richard Steadman, Paul Taylor (Gary Edwards), Adam Edwards, Darren Buckley, Sean Haslam, Declan O’Shea, Shaun Jackson

• The Reserve Team game at home to Bacup United, the A Team game away at Accrington Amateurs and the Sunday Team game at home to AFC Swan were all called off due to frozen pitches.

• Next Saturday’s first team game at home to Rossendale Amateurs has been postponed due to Rossendale’s rescheduled Lancashire Cup tie with Westhoughton Town.

• Weather permitting, games next weekend are as follows:

Old Boltonians A v Prestwich Reserves – Tower Street, Kick-off 2pm

Prestwich Sunday v Duck Club – Outwood Rd, Kick-off 10:30am