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Battling Heys bow to Maine Road

Battling Heys bow to Maine Road

STEPHEN HOWARD16 Jul 2014 - 20:43
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North West Counties side takes the spoils

Heys went down 5-2 to an impressive Maine Road side at Sandgate Road tonight.

The North West Counties Premier Division side ultimately proved more clinical and sharper against a gallant Heys side for whom many players were having their first outing of the pre-season,

In centre midfield Heys had two new faces in Ryan McGreevy who was at Irlam Town last season and Malachi Slaven who was at Droylsden whilst at full back Dave McNally from AFC Bury made his bow.

Heys started brightly and the opening ten minutes saw both sides test each other out with some good football.

However, the visitors began to gain the ascendancy and deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute.

Heys hit back though with a spell of pressure of their own and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 33rd minute, from the penalty spot. Martin Love slotting home after McGreevy was brought down.

Both sides had opportunities in the run up to the half time break but it was Maine Road who were fastest out of the traps at the start of the second period and some impressive football and clinical finishing saw them open up a 3-1 lead by the 65 minute.

Heys though refused to lie down and reduced the arrears in the 70th minute when Love added his second with a sublime low shot.

Indeed, Heys had opportunities to level matters with Phil Woodcock going closest with a header from a corner.

However, against tiring legs Maine Road finished strongly and scored twice in the final ten minutes to record a win they deserved but by a margin which was perhaps harsh on Heys.

This was good workout from Jon Lyons' side and the Heys boss will have taken much from it as attention now turns to next Tuesday's Kenyon Cup derby with Prestwich FC at Sandgate Road, kick off 7pm.

Team: Sadler, McNally, George Powell, Slaven, Johnson, Walsh, Sousa, Jon Lyons, Wills, McGreevy, Love Subs: Eyres, Woodcock, Treanor, Brad Lyons, Hodson

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