Bar denies Bacup in narrow defeat
PRESTWICH ................... 1 BACUP.............................. 0 MATTHEW LAWSON BACUP Borough suffered an opening-day defeat after they were narrowly beaten away from home by Prestwich Heys.
Brent Peters’ side took to the field at Adie Moran Park in their new white home kit on the opening day of the North West Counties Football League campaign, and spirits from the Borough camp were at a high, despite the loss of Matthew Bryan to Trafford FC.
Peters had the pick of the bunch from last season’s squad as well as his new summer acquisitions Gary Lillie and the returning trio of Matthew Dell, Anthony Hall and Michael Gervin.
In the opening exchanges of the first half both sides enjoyed good spells of possession as they both looked to stamp their mark on the game.
It was the hosts that took the lead on the 20 minute mark, a first time cross was blocked but the follow up was sent in for deep towards the back post and evaded the Borough back line. The ball was met by Theodore Kidd who placed the ball calmly past Lewis Monahan.
On the half-hour mark Borough were unlucky not to be level as Gervin played a superbly timed ball into the path of Dell who’s right footed effort had the keeper rooted to the spot and well beaten, only to be denied by the crossbar.
With moments of the first half remaining the Prestwich bar was left shaking once again, this time following a quality Josh Walne cross from the left.
Captain Adrian Bellamy rose highest in a crowded penalty area and met the ball with his head which struck the bar. The ball dropped down into the six yard box but agonisingly there was no player on the front foot reacting – had there have been it was a simple tap in.
Bellamy’s co-defender Laquan Esdaille did make an effort but collided with the Heys keeper who needed treatment before resuming play.
After the restart Bacup started where they had left off – on the attack – Dell found Gervin who unleashed a right footed effort from the edge of the box, but it was blocked before it could trouble the ‘keeper.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Bacup looked the more threatening side.
Matthew Dell was inches away from levelling the scores as his curling right footed effort floated just wide of the post.
Substitute Bobby Carter rode a number of challenges well in the penalty area before having his left foot shot saved by the Prestwich Goalkeeper Michael Smith.
10 minutes from time a Josh Wayne free-kick from 30 yards out flew inches past Smith’s right had post after curling away from the top corner at the last second.
The hosts came out narrow winners in a game which saw Borough’s class shine through, despite the full-time result. Bacup were then due to host Lower Breck FC on Thursday.