A superb late strike from left-back Josh Edwards was enough to secure County passage to the next round of the FA Youth Cup with victory at Prestwich Heys.
There was just ten minutes left to play at Adie Moran Park when Edwards collected the ball from Jamie Walsh inside the area and drilled an effort across the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner, capping a brilliant individual display from him, and rewarding County for a dominant performance away from home.
The game was our first involvement in this year’s competition, whilst our hosts had already come through two rounds to book their place in the Second Qualifying Round.
Going into the game as favourites, the Young Hatters soon set about showing why as they dominated possession early on, and pinned Prestwich back for the majority of the first-half.
Despite all that early pressure, County were limited to shots from range in the opening exchanges, Toby Green firing just wide from the edge of the area, before Edwards went on a trademark marauding run from deep before hammering an effort just over the crossbar.
Walsh and Keane Barugh both forced good saves from the Prestwich ‘keeper, but Damien Allen’s side continued to be frustrated in the search for a breakthrough – and were nearly hit with a sucker-punch just before the break.
County goalkeeper Daniel Harrison was called into action for the first time, beating an effort away at his near post, before pulling off an extraordinary reflex save from the resulting short corner, diverting a cross-cum-shot that looked destined for the top corner onto the crossbar with his fingertips.
Having survived that scare, County went up the other end and should really have taken the lead themselves, Walsh found in space inside the penalty area but his shot lacked power, and the ‘keeper was able to make the save.
There was big controversy just before half-time as County were denied what looked to be a certain penalty; Badar Al-Akkad clipped as he burst into the area, but the referee was unmoved, and we went into the break goalless.
Half-time: Prestwich Heys 0-0 County
Into the second-half, and County continued to patiently probe and wait for an opening which was almost provided to them through a lighting quick counter-attack from Walsh, who drove forward to the edge of the area before feeding Green, but again there was a Prestwich man throwing himself at it to make the block.
As the half wore in, it looked more and more likely that Edwards may prove the man to make the distance as he continued to push high up the pitch, collecting a ball from Kai Johnston on the hour mark and drilling a shot just wide, before minutes later forcing the ‘keeper into another save at his near post after a neat one-two with Dallas Omoruyi.
The more County pushed for the breakthrough though, the more space was beginning to be exploited at the back by Prestwich, who should really have taken the lead when their midfielder was found free inside the penalty area, but Harrison again made himself big to make the save as they looked to dink it over him.
Just three minutes later, and with penalties looming large, Edwards finally had his moment, arrowing it low past the ‘keeper to cue massive celebrations amongst the County players.
It was so nearly two just moments later, Kian Sharples denied from point-blank range by another brilliant save from the Prestwich ‘keeper.
The home side, to their credit, kept on going, and should really have taken the game to spot kicks when, in the dying seconds, their forward rounded Harrison in goal, but could only find the side netting from a narrow angle.
That would have been harsh on Damien Allen and his superb young side though, who deservedly held on and can now look forward to a place in the Third Qualifying Round in the weeks to come.
Full-time: Prestwich Heys 0-1 County (Edwards, 81′).
