After a successful evening against the Dads on Friday evening (Thanks for that Neil it was great and much appreciated) the Lads got back to serious league action away against Prestwich Town at Salford this morning. The pitch was far from perfect with all the inclement weather of late but it was great to be finally getting back to league business. Tom and Josh started on the bench. Prestwich certainly settled into the game better than Ladybridge and they looked a yard sharper to the ball all over the pitch. It was no surprise then that Prestwich took advantage of their early dominance after 5mins when their No 8 scored a goal from 30 yards that looped over Conor into the net. 1-0 Prestwich.
Our hosts continued to take advantage of Ladybridge's lethargy and dominated territory and possession well into the half. Cole went off injured after about 20mins to be replaced by Josh. Ladybridge eventually came more into the game and on 25mins Dion made a great run down the channel to find Taylor lurking in the box and he made a smart turn and shot low and beyond their keeper to level the game up 1-1.
Ladybridge were to enjoy the better of the last 10mins of the half and the goal that would see us lead at half time came again through some strong work down the right wing by Dion whose cross into the box was met spectacularly by James A’s flying header to make it 2-1. Just before half time Ladybridge were unfortunate not to add to the score when Prestwich managed to clear the ball twice from off the line in a real scramble in the penalty area. HT Prestwich 1-2 Ladybridge.
Ollie made way for Tom during the break and Prestwich pressed the lads back in the opening stages forcing a couple of corners, which Ladybridge managed to clear without conceding. After this initial pressure though Ladybridge really started to play the sort of game we are used to witnessing and our midfield started to finally dominate and a snatch shot from Taylor was parried well by the Prestwich keeper but James A snaffled up the loose ball to fire home to make it 1-3 Ladybridge.
Prestwich then went close with a 30yard effort that just went wide of Conor's right hand post. James Y made way for Cole after 15mins of the half. Prestwich were never out of the game and their No 6 made the most of a weak goal kick from Conor when he controlled the ball well and his shot nestled into the back of the net to make it 2-3 with about 10mins to go.
The next goal would be important for both teams and James A was to make the crucial breakthrough when he made a superb run and cross that found Taylor in space and he duly does what all good centre forwards do, as he found the back of the net to make it 2-4. This goal would prove vital as with just a couple of minutes remaining Prestwich would finish the goal action in the game with a goalmouth scrambled effort to make it 3-4 with literally seconds remaining.
Fortunately the lads managed to hold on for their first win of the New Year and take home a close victory.
Overall I thought Ladybridge deserved to win the game today and not for the first tome this season managed to grind out a result when not playing at their best. Prestwich proved once again that this league has a lot of strength and depth to it as they fought and battled as well as any team we've faced in the League or Cup so far this season.
Hopefully our Cup Semi-Final will be on next week at home against either Westhoughton or Hindley, weather and rearranged Quarter Final fixture between the teams allowing.
Gordon
