Back to winning ways for the Bulldogs this weekend. The line up looked a little different to usual with Aidan our usual keeper missing, replaced by Tommy and Will also away. New boy Ford started on the bench, but the team, despite a few changes, looked confident from the off.
Bulldogs got off to a quick start with a flurry of shots from Liam, Tom and Freddie. It was Liam who struck first on 4 mins to open the flood gates. It wasn't long until Liam slotted home a second, this time from the left side. All seemed to be going well.
Prestwich only real threat came around ten minutes in when they weaved through midfield to smash one past Tommy, who up until then had only had to make one save. But order was restored just before half time as Freddie stepped up to score a screamer from distance. Taking us in 3-1 up at the first break.
The second period started with Ford making his debut appearance on for Freddie and it wasn't long before he was making his mark on the game. A great assist by Liam to help Ford score his first for his new club. Ford then returned the favour passing a corner into Liam to get his hat trick on 20 mins.
A heavy knock to Tyler who was doing excellent at the back, saw a rejig of the team. Tom dropping into defence while Freddie was reintroduced to give Tyler some time to nurse his injury.
Freddie advanced on 27 min, losing the ball to a great Prestwich tackle, however the ball fell to new boy Ford and he absolutely laced it from distance to get his second of the game. A great second period and Bulldogs went in 6-1 with 15 mins left to play.
Our final substitution saw Tom getting a well deserved rest after another great defensive performance and a few long range rasping efforts just falling short. Tyler 'the tank' came back in but was given a chance up top to show he is not just a shot stopper.
Bulldogs continued to dominate, Ford and Freddie looking unplayable with winding runs and good link up play. Liam twisting and turning to get a few great shots away too. It was Freddie however who struck next from a Ford throw in. Not long after, Ford got a third from a great Tyler cross. But the new lad wasn't finished there, he finished his scoring for the day with an incredible run past three players to slot home his fourth.
The game looked over, but Tommy had to make a couple of last gasp saves, tipping on round the post, stopping one with his bum until Prestwich slotted a flukey one past his near post on 41 mins.
The performance was a great response to last week's loss but there was one last roll of the dice before final whistle, Tyler hitting the post, Prestwich keeper making a couple of good one on one saves from Liam and Freddie, before Ford fizzed in a corner just before time for Freddie to meet with a right foot thump.
The lads all performed well, although a little sluggish at times, if that is how we play not at our best and full strength, then I pity any team who plays bulldogs once we have every player available and on their A game. On to next week!
