CURTIS Ward scored his first goals for the club as Prestwich enjoyed a 2-1 win over old rivals Holcombe in Sunday's Premier Division match.
Bury Sunday League - Premier Division
Prestwich CC 2, Holcombe 1
Again down to the bare bones - despite having a squad list of 26 players – 44 year old veteran ‘keeper Brian Ahern was coaxed out of retirement (again) to take over between the sticks in place of the unavailable Mike Hudson and the retired Andy Bradley.
Chris Mulligan made up the bench as our solitary substitute with 40-year-old Assistant Manager Mark Greene making a reluctant start up front.
In a late venue swap for the game due to an unfit Holcombe pitch, Prestwich grabbed a fortunate early lead when Curtis Ward’s cross from the left flew over the ‘keeper and in to the net off the far post.
But it was to be a game of few chances as both defences dealt with pretty much everything that came their way.
Holcombe’s best chance of the opening half coming on the half hour when a shot was drilled across the face of the goal and wide past the far post.
Forward Stephen Foley sent an effort in to the arms of the Holcombe ‘keeper after the restart before Greene fired over the bar following good work down the right by Chris Thomas.
Thomas was again involved shortly after but saw his low shot blocked from a Jonathan Sharples low cross from the right.
Prestwich then doubled their lead on 70 minutes. Defender Richard Steadman surged forward and played a one-two with Foley out on the left. Hitting a sweet volley from the return pass on the edge of the area, a Holcombe defenders outstretched arm blocked the shot for a clear penalty.
Curtis Ward stepped up, taking over the spot-kick duties from his brother, and found the corner just out of the reach of the ‘keepers dive.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, Holcombe got a life-line from the spot following a scramble and a hand-ball on the ground from stand-in ‘skipper Ashley Ward. Ahern guessed right but couldn’t get a glove on the shot as it went high in to the net.
Holcombe then blazed over the bar on 86 minutes but Prestwich held out for the remaining minutes to seal a two-one win.
PCCFC: Ahern, Barnes, Keane, Steadman, A Ward, Fiorentini, Thomas, Sharples, Greene (Mulligan), Foley, C Ward (2)
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