Maine Road 2 Prescot Cables 0

Report by BERT TAYLOR

THIS was a nightmare for Prescot Cables manager Arthur McCumiskey. Little seemed to go right for him and his assistant Derek Hughes from the moment this game was brought forward from next January.

The problems started for the boss when he was compelled to call upon the services of youth team players after a car carrying players from Liverpool failed to turn up. Consequently, Prescot's line-up showed unavoidable changes from the team which won 2-0 at Holker Old Boys on the previous Saturday.

Cables had hardly loosened up before Paul Wadsworth, nominated the hosts' man of the match, notched a third-minute goal.

In Prescot's first attack Peter Cumiskey missed a chance to equalise by shooting wide then almost made amends from a free-kick which flashed narrowly the wrong side of the far upright.

Other close shaves for the Mancunians in Prescot's spells of domination included an amazing incident when home full-back Curtis Graham struck his own crossbar in a goal area scramble.

Another blow for the visitors developed when midfield Kevin Lynch, who had played brilliantly in recent games, was forced to retire due to injury.

Frustration marked Cables' subsequent play and centre-back Simon Hughes was dismissed for a second booking followed by Lee Bamber for abusive language.

And, at the end of a disastrous match, Ian Walker ran through a completely disorganised defence to add a second goal.

Prescot team: Greg Price, Paul Joyce, Aaron Cramsie, Lee Bamber, Simon Hughes, Kevin Lynch, Graham Davies, Andy McMullen, Peter Cumiskey, Phil Nze, Joe Doyle.

This Saturday, Prescot visit second division club Cheadle in the League Challenge Cup first round.

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