|
Muddy mistakes
Fully punished as Heys let lead slip in the mud
LEIGH ATHLETIC 2, PRESTWICH HEYS 1
Manchester League Premier Division, Sat 15th November 2008
Report by Alan Michaelovitz at Leight Sports Village, Leigh
[ Match Photos ] [ More Fixtures & Results ] [ Player Stats ]
A first visit to Leigh Sports Village for Heys proved not to be a happy one as a battling team performance was let down by two mistakes which led to goals for the home side as they came from behind to take the points on a mud-bath of a pitch on Saturday.
Manager Liam Morrissey had to juggle his pack following three late withdrawals from his squad on the morning of the game.
Assistant Paul Taylor again had to pull on the red and white jersey and was soon showing his class as his neat effort from the edge of the box flew just inches too high.
But Heys weren’t to be denied on 22 minutes as Daniel Murray set Brandon Jolly free on the right and his low shot across goal was only half-saved by the Latics ‘keeper and the ball slowly trickled over the line.
The relatively new pitch was starting to become a real problem as near enough the whole centre channel from goal to goal rapidly turned in to a bog.
Kieran Watson in the Heys goal was keeping Heys ahead with two good saves as Leigh pushed for an equaliser before half-time.
But the visitors were holding firm until Heys lost possession in midfield on 44 minutes gifting a forward a clean run through on goal before finishing in the bottom corner.
After the break, Brandon Jolly looked to restore the lead for Heys almost single-handedly, his powerful 55th minute volley being palmed over the bar by the Leigh ‘keeper.
His shot across the face of goal on the hour was followed by a chance just inside the box but the forward scuffed his shot as the ball plugged in the mud.
Leigh then poked an effort just wide under pressure from Watson charging off his line as the home side looked to grab a late winner.
But with Heys comfortably keeping their hosts out, a moment of madness gifted the Latics the lead as a Heys player hooked the ball back towards his own goal from the edge of the area allowing a forward to nip in and fire past an exposed Watson.
With the clock ticking down, defender Mark Powell’s long-ranger stung the hands of the Leigh ‘keeper before Brandon Jolly’s last minute chance across the face of goal rolled wide of the far post.
HEYS: Watson, Cunningham (Deakin), Barker, Powell, D Murray, Cutler, Hoggard, M Jolly, B Jolly (1), Taylor (Monks), Lott (D Lewis)
• Heys Reserves moved up to 8th in Division Two as Dave Risby’s men notched up a three-nil win over Gregorians at Sandgate Road. Winger Liam Murray scored two while debutant Anthony Wallis grabbed the third.
• Heys first team entertain Pennington this Saturday, kick-off 2pm. Manager Liam Morrissey will be looking for nothing less than three points as the team rock-bottom of the Premier Division make the trip to Sandgate Road.
 |
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
