Prestwich travelled the short distance to Heywood to take on Milton in this years Amateur Cup.
Prestwich had been boosted by the return of long term absentees Martin Hill and Sam Holden plus the holidaying Richard Steadman and derby day casualty Conor Hart.
The game started with Prestwich on the front foot as they totally dominated possession and wasted several good chances in the opening minutes until deservedly taking the lead on 5 minutes when Sean Haslam produced a classy overhead kick to convert an Aldair Victorano cross.
The rest of the half was virtually one way traffic but a combination of wayward finishing and several good saves from the Milton keeper kept the score line respectable.
Milton continued to work hard and did have a few breaks into the Prestwich half but Mike Hudson had only one regulation save to make down low to his right to hold a 30 yard effort.
The second half started with the same general pattern of play but Prestwich were a little tidier in their play and were keeping the ball better. They continued to press the Milton goal with little threatening response from the opposition.
The lead was extended after another period of pressure when first Sam Holden then Darren Buckley won headers to set Liam Burke up with a chance he crashed into the net from 10 yards.
With the game now off the knife edge Prestwich continued to dominate play but following the substitution of Conor Hart in place of Buckley in the 70th minute they were caught out at the far post from a corner and the Milton left back crashed in from the edge of the box in the 71st minute giving Hudson no chance.
This seemed to spur Prestwich on and instead of the expected push from Milton they stepped up their passing game and powered forward almost at will.
The pressure paid off in the 76th minute when Hill cut in from the left wing to fire low into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to restore the cushion for Prestwich.
Milton visibly wilted after this having chased the ball for much of the game.
On 80 minutes Dave Thompson replaced the hard working Haslam to lead the line for the remainder of the game. Within a minute superb play between Burke and Michael Neary down the right wing culminated in Neary getting behind the Milton defence and cutting the ball back for Burke to finish with aplomb.
The score line was completed in the 87th minute when after further pressure Burke snatched his third and Prestwich’s fifth when the ball ran loose in the Milton box and he was the first to react.
This was a thoroughly deserved victory by team that should go from strength to strength as the season progresses.
Next up is another away trip to face Old Boltonians Reserves at Tower Street BL7 0EU on 24/09/16 with a 2.30 KO.
