MICHAEL SMITH WINS REUSCH 1st DIVISION GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH

Heys goalkeeper Michael Smith has been named the Reusch 1st Division Goalkeeper of the Month for April.

Michael, signed for Heys from Chadderton, just prior to Christmas, making his debut in the 3-0 win at Carlisle City on 23rd December.

He has since gone on to play 22 games for the club making some key saves along the way as Heys have sought promotion.

His testimonial for the Award read:
“Three clean sheets in eight games during April represents a fine return for Mike, who continues to prove himself a fine goalkeeper at the heart of a well-drilled Heys defence.

Mike goes about his business in a quiet and unassuming manner, controlling his penalty area with authority, great in the air and a fine shot-stopper.

In key games, Mike has stepped up to make vital saves, a point close-range block and an athletic tip onto the crossbar ensuring a win at Chadderton at the start of April setting the standard.

Perhaps Mike's finest quality is his ability to switch on and make key saves when he has not been called on for some time.

At FC Oswestry Town, in a game where Heys controlled for long periods, the home side found Smith in resolute form on their forays forward, dominating his penalty area and smothering danger.

In defeat at New Mills, Mike made a fingertip save and blocked another fierce drive to keep Heys in the game up to the final whistle.

Mike was again pivotal in Heys securing victory against Carlisle City, the visitors had brought the game back to 3-2 from 3-0 and looked like pressing on, but Smith pulled off a vital stop which helped settle the team down before the home side went on to win comfortably.

Similarly against Atherton LR, Smith bossed his area after the visitors had taken the lead, and was alert to danger in covering a series of through balls, and after Heys had gone 2-1 up, Mike made a string of saves, pushing a powerful shot wide and saving a point-blank effort as Atherton threatened.

Mike’s form has been all the more remarkable in a hectic month where the Heys squad has been rotated regularly, yet he has gone about organising his defence without fuss and helped ensure Prestwich secured a play-off berth.

His consistency has been vital to Heys collecting wins in their promotion push, and a place in the LWC Drinks First Division Cup final, both during the month of April and throughout the season.”

Michael joins Jake Wood and Danny White in receiving individual Player of the Month Awards in recent months.