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Powell makes his Mark
Defenders on target in Royton draw
PRESTWICH HEYS 3, ROYTON TOWN 3
Manchester League Premier Division, Sat 6th December 2008
Report by Alan Michaelovitz at Sandgate Road, Whitefield
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MARK Powell's last minute Maradona-like surge through the Royton defence and subsequent close range strike earned Heys a more than deserved share of the spoils in Saturday's Premier Division clash.
There was some frantic work during the week to get the pitch playable and thankfully, there were no showers overnight which would have wrecked all the previous hard work.
Fifth placed Town visited Sandgate Road as Liam Morrissey’s men looked to make it three wins in a row for the Prestwich side.
But Heys ‘keeper Paul Murphy was soon called in to action as straight from the kick off, Royton fashioned a chance which although wrong-footed Murphy, the stopper managed to divert the ball around the post and away from danger.
The visitors started well and were soon on the attack again when a long throw from the left found a Royton head at the near post but the effort flew wide.
And then in the 11th minute, Town got their chance to take the lead from the penalty spot when Murphy was adjudged to have brought down a forward in the box. Skipper Ian Hulme converted the resulting kick to put his side ahead.
Heys responded to the early set-back and worked their way back in to the match as the half progressed.
Leading-scorer Mat Jolly was unlucky with an effort which was saved before last week’s hat-trick hero Brandon Jolly pounced in the 42nd minute but saw his goal was ruled out due to an offside.
But Heys managed to get back on level terms before the break when Liam Murray’s corner was headed home by Mat Jolly.
The game was very open now and Heys were more than matching their higher-placed opponents and took a deserved lead on 65 minutes when a John Monks free-kick was headed in by defender Daniel Murray.
However, that lead was to last all of 60 seconds when a ball broke to Andrew Wade on the edge of the box whose low drive nestled in the corner leaving Murphy no chance.
Royton’s come back was complete in the 75th minute when an unfortunate slip by a Heys defender allowed Wayne Dean the time and space to slot past Murphy and give Town the lead once again.
Heys were not to be denied something from the game though, and when Powell’s one-two with sub Chris Foley set the defender free in the box, his initial shot was saved by the legs of the Town ‘keeper but the ball fell kindly for Powell again to slam through the bodies from three yards.
HEYS: Murphy, Monks, Cunningham, Powell (1), D Murray (1), Cutler, L Murray (Hoggard), Barker (Foley), B Jolly, M Jolly (1), Little (Taylor)
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