Keswick made the trip down the M6 to St Helens this weekend to face an unknown Prescot team that were relegated from the league above last season.
Motorway traffic had caused some logistical troubles to the traveling Keswick side and this was reflected in the first 10 minutes of the game. Keswick just didn’t get started and found themselves a goal down when a tame reverse stick shot found its way into the back of the Keswick goal. A goal mouth scramble just a few minutes later resulted in an own goal when an unfortunate deflection off the Keswick defender beat his own keeper making it 2-0.
Prescott thought the game was won and allowed Keswick to find their feet in the game as Keswick began to put together some slick passing moves that started to worry the Prescott defence. A short corner won by Shaw allowed Wilson to flick an attempt on goal that was parried by the Prescot keeper - this was quickly converted by Swanston; 2-1.
The equaliser wasn’t long after Keswick’s first goal when a Keswick break ended with Swanston finding Barnes at the penalty spot who slotted past the onrushing Prescott keeper making it 2-2. Game on. The end of the second half saw Prescot have a couple of chances on the break but Mattear and Fennell soaked up any pressure breaking up the Prescott attacks.
Keswick started the second half much brighter than the first with Barnes and Proctor finding space in-behind the Prescott midfield. Bowen had slotted into centre midfield along with Wilson and they were now dominating the midfield battle. Keswick got the breakthrough they thoroughly deserved when Proctor picked up the ball in midfield and played a one-two with Barnes –Proctor then found Swanston making a superb late dart to back post and was able to slot home unmarked. 3-2.
The 6th goal in the tie came when man of the match Swanston made a signature run down the left flank to find Barnes once again at the penalty spot who managed to turn the keeper and slot home; this completed the come back from Keswick who – despite the first 10 minutes - had been brilliant.
Unfortunately the last 10 minutes were not vintage Keswick as Proctor gave the umpire an excuse to dish out a yellow card as he was deemed to have hit the ball away after the whistle. Straight after Keswick were back to full strength, Shaw managed to talk himself into the book after reacting to a series of unsporting confrontations from Prescot players.
The remainder of the game was played out with 10 men and the back 5 of Keswick stood strong soaking up any pressure from a Prescot side that at times would have been better placed down the road at Langtree Park.