Here’s a quick round-up of what’s been happening with the first team so far this season.
Following the encouraging opening day home win v Old Blackburnians on 19th September, it has been very much a tail of home and away so far this year.
The next outing, away, started promisingly with Martin Hill putting Prestwich 1–0 up early in the first half but they were pegged back by a hard working Rochdale St Clements side that took the initiative in the second half to run out 3–1 winners, leaving Prestwich to rue missed chances in a purple patch at the end of the first half.
A return to home soil saw the game switched to the Hopwood 3G due to heavy rain. Up against Little Lever SC, Prestwich started well and took the lead after 3 minutes when Tito Miguel sent Sean Haslam in on goal to round the keeper and score. But again a failure to extend this lead despite a host of chances resulted in Lever levelling early in the second half. However this time Prestwich’s ability to continue making chances eventually paid off when Haslam sent clear again down the left chipped a lovely cross to the far post for Sam Holden to rise high and power home his header for a deserved 2–1 victory.
Next was another switch of game due to inclement weather when Prestwich visited AFC Darwen Res for a 10.30 KO on their excellent 4G playing surface. Unfortunately they were unable to rise to the occasion and ended up on the wrong side of a 2–0 score line, but the game was only made safe in the 89th minute.
The theme of switched games continued v Bolton Wyresdale who had no access to their new pitch at Essa Academy so the game moved to the Hopwood grass. Prestwich found themselves 1–0 down early on but recovered to take a half time lead with goals from Michael Neary (penalty) and a tidy finish by Sean Haslam. Despite starting the second half with 10 men following an injury Wyresdale forced themselves back into the game within 15 minutes of the second half. Prestwich were struggling to dominate the game but one minute after arriving as substitute Rafael Straszewski fired them back into the lead with 20 minutes to go. Sam Holden made the game safe after 76 minutes with a well taken goal to maintain Prestwich’s 100% home record.
After the announcement of Tier 3 restrictions due to Covid-19, Prestwich ended up with another home game last weekend on the 24th October v Chaddertonians. Despite the risk of bad weather the game was played on grass and all started very well for Prestwich. Sam Holden was upended in the box for Michael Neary to fire home his second penalty of the season on 10 minutes and then Holden rose high at the far post to increase the lead to 2–0 on 22 minutes. However that was as good as it got in a combative game that was massively impacted by the worsening weather and ground conditions especially in the second half. As has become routine Prestwich gave away a goal within 15 minutes of the second half but Chaddertonians could not force an equalizer despite a couple of very good chances. Prestwich could have extended their lead but also could not capitalize on some good chances but did run out 2 – 1 winners to stay 100% at home.
Prestwich currently sit second in the Premier Division on goal difference but have played more games than almost all the teams around them.
Next up is an away game at Failsworth Dynamos M35 9HA with a 3.00pm KO on 31st October. Please see the fixture list for all upcoming games but at present the LAL are only issuing one game at a time so we have yet no fixtures scheduled for 7th November and onwards.
