Having had their own five match winning run ended by Old Mancunians the previous week, Prestwich responded emphatically by bringing an end to the six match winning start made by a powerful Rossendale outfit in this tense encounter.
Shorn of any recognised full backs Prestwich took to the field with nominal strikers Mike Neary and Aldair Victorano as acting right and left backs respectively and both put in excellent shifts in their improvised roles.
With a game plan designed to stifle what was obviously going to be a potent Rossendale strike force the early exchanges were fairly even with neither side creating any clear cut chances and play largely focussed in the central areas of the pitch.
One could clearly see why Rossendale have enjoyed such a good start to this campaign as they looked to have quality throughout the side, but Prestwich were more than matching them with some really rugged defending by Neary, Victorano and centre halves Richard Steadman and veteran Paul Taylor, whilst keeper Mike Hudson was putting in a flawless display of handling and distribution and the occasional shot stopping.
As the half wore on Prestwich began to make deeper and deeper inroads into the Rossendale defence through wingers Martin Hill and Tito Miguel, well supported by Neary and Victorano on the overlap.
Rossendale were clearly becoming frustrated by their inability to penetrate the Prestwich defence and also stem Prestwich’s attacking raids. And It was becoming a fascinatingly tight encounter with one sensing that the first goal for either side would prove crucial ….it remained scoreless at the break.
Within 30 seconds of the restart Prestwich took the lead when Sean Haslam burst through from deep to pass the ball into net just inside the right hand post for a really sweet finish.
With an agonising 44 minutes remaining Prestwich dug in for what would be a crucial 3 points. To their credit Rossendale were never going to let their run come to an end without a scrap and they set about Prestwich with a vengeance.
What followed was a testimony to the collective spirit and work ethic of the team with everyone fighting for every ball and throwing themselves into tackles all over the pitch.
Having had little joy penetrating the Prestwich rear guard on the ground Rossendale became more and more direct with each passing minute constantly launching high balls into the Prestwich box, but what wasn’t headed away by Steadman, Taylor or Ross Salmon who by now had dropped deep from his central position was gathered up by Hudson.
Things became even more precarious with the loss of the towering presence of Taylor through injury on the hour with Salmon forced to drop deeper still and Haslam also dropping back into midfield.
But Prestwich held on for a vital 3 points and whilst it was terrific all round team effort ultimately it was Hudson Prestwich had to thank for the points with a man of the match performance making several tip overs, blocking a one on one situation, and his bravery in dealing with the constant onslaught of high balls deep into the Prestwich box in the second half.
