Prescot Cables manager Kevin Lynch has lauded Adam Hammill after his superb strike helped the 10-man Pesky Bulls beat Ashton Athletic in the FA Cup.
They needed a last-minute equaliser to secure a replay in the corresponding fixture with the North West Counties outfit. But James Foley and Hammill ensured their name was in the hat for the next round in the replay.
Ashton Athletic took the lead after Cables skipper was shown a red card in the first-half. And Lynch praised his side’s character after overcoming the stern task.
He told Off The Park: “I couldn’t ask anymore of the players in terms of the effort and endeavour they put in.
“I thought the work rate even going down to 10 men, you wouldn’t have known who had 10 men and who didn’t. Massive credit (to the team).
“I felt Liam (Hollitt) with his experience could’ve been much cleverer, (Richard) Brodie, who’s been in the game for sometime, hook, line and sinkered (sic) Liam into it, made a massive meal of it which we have to learn from.
“Going down to 10 men so early on, they scored a fantastic goal to go 1-0 up, as I said, I thought we were always in the game.
“The chances we were creating was good, once we got the first, I always felt comfortable enough that we’d go on because we just had the momentum and full credit to the players for showing the character they did – it’s a testament to what we’ve brought in.”
The Prescot Cables boss couldn’t help but praise the travelling supporters who were in fine voice for the trip to Ashton. He continued: “I’ve always set out to bring the right characters in with the right attitude and the right quality which has took a little bit of time.
“But the gelling they’ve got and the manner of the win, you can’t buy it, you can’t buy that euphoria, the togetherness.
“It’ll put us in good stead going forward, I must say the fans that we took to Ashton were a credit to the club.”
With the scores level, Hammill picked up a loose ball from his corner, cut inside onto his right foot and picked out the top-right corner with a spectacular curling effort.
Lynch ran out of superlatives, he said: “It was a goal to grace any game, it was a goal to win any game – it was sublime.
“I said to him rolling back the years. He’s come to us with the bit between his teeth, he’s worked tremendously hard in training, in pre-season and he just showed his quality.
“What I love about him, he’ll pass that experience onto the younger players. It was just an unbelievable goal, I don’t think you’ll see a better goal all season, it was just unbelievable.”
Prescot Cables were handed a reprieve from relegation thanks to their superior Points Per Game. They had their current boss to thank for the turnaround.
And after a tough pre-season, Lynch insists his side are ready as they gear up for their season opener vs 1874 Northwich.
He added: “I don’t think there’s any easy matches in this league, anyone can beat anyone.
“I think the two competitive games will put us in good stead and we’ll go there in buoyant mood.
“It won’t be easy and we won’t be taking them lightly but we’re looking forward to it, the lads are looking forward to it, they’re chomping at the bit. We’re all ready to go.
“We’ve just got to manage the game properly. Because the lads are chomping at the bit so much, they’ve just got to relax a little bit more, get into the game, start on the front foot.
“We’ve got to be more composed, we’ve got very good players who can all handle the ball and it’s about getting the ball on the floor and it’s what we’ve been reiterating to the players.
“If we manage the game, don’t get the occasion, first league game of the season and our quality will come through hopefully.”
[Featured Image: John Middleton – Prescot Cables]
