After last weekend’s results Heys find themselves in the Premier Division relegation zone and whilst it is still early days, few if anyone, could have expected that they would be in this position after their title near miss and run to the Lancashire Shield semi-finals last season.

Whether, as can be the case, Jon Lyons’ team are suffering a hangover from those near misses, only time will tell. However, after the defeat at CMB last Saturday the Shield has gone for this year and hopes of a title challenge will also soon evaporate if there is not an upturn in fortunes.

Saturday’s game is followed seven days later by a trip to Rochdale Sacred Heart, presently second bottom, and the challenge is clear. Two wins will catapult Heys back up the table, but failure will leave them down in the lower reaches.

On paper, Heys have too much talent in their squad to continue to struggle but history shows that if you get stuck at the bottom, whatever the ability in the side, you can get dragged into a season long battle.

Heys have yet to produce a complete 90 minute performance this season and in many ways the game at CMB was a reflection of the season as a whole thus far.

The time has now come for Heys to stand up and be counted. Saturday’s game, with the added spice of it being a Bury Derby represents an ideal platform from which to kick start the season.

They will meet an Elton Vale side in buoyant mood. After last season’s promotion they had made a slow start to the season with heavy defeats to Hindsford and Wythenshawe Amateurs in the opening weeks of the campaign. However, they announced themselves on the Premier Division stage last Saturday with a hugely impressive 2-1 win at Stockport Georgians.

On current form they will see Saturday as a chance for themselves to push in to mid table.

Jon Lyons has had some good news in recent weeks. Brad Lyons, Chris MacKay, Carlito Graham and Martin Love have all got minutes under their belts after lengthy absences and Shaun Johnson returned to training last week. It means the Heys boss has plenty of options from which to pick but whatever line up he selects his one wish will be that it finally delivers a performance to match its potential.

Vale play at Elton Vale Sports Club, Foulds Avenue, Bury
Diirections: From Bury, head towards Bolton on A58, turning right into Ainsworth Road after about half a mile.

After about .75 mile, turn second right after Post Office into Elton Vale Road.

Sports Club entrance is about 150 yards on the left after Foulds Avenue. Postcode is BL8 2SA.