Heys and East Manchester have enjoyed a great but highly respectful rivalry over the years and Saturday will see meetings at 1st and Reserve team levels.

The 1st team clash takes place at Easts Wright Robinson College base, kick off 2.30pm.

Over the years the sides have engaged in some rip roaring games often with honours at stake.

However, this weekend’s match will be played against an altogether different back drop. Easts will start the game in the hitherto unprecedented position of propping up the Premier Division table.

After escaping the drop on the final day of last season they started this season under new management and opened with a 5-2 win at Rochdale Sacred Heart. Although, four defeats followed a stunning 7-4 win at Royton promised much.

However, a week later Easts were soundly beaten 6-1 by AVRO to start a disastrous and ongoing run of six consecutive defeats, during which 29 goals have been conceded.

Their home base has offered little comfort with all five of their games lost. With Heys having one of the best away records in the division, on paper, it does not bode well for the hosts.

But, as we all know, football does not always go as it should and Heys will travel with issues themselves. They will be looking to improve their league position, after an inconsistent season so far.

Recent performances have been good but goals have been hard to come by and it this aspect that they will have to improve upon if they are to climb the table.

As it stands both sides will have an eye on the game as a potential springboard for moving forward.

Supporters travelling to Wright Robinson, when planning their journeys should note Manchester City are at home on Saturday. The ground is on Abbey Hey Lane, Abbey Hey, Gorton, Manchester M18 8RL.

At Adie Moran Park, the Reserve sides meet (2pm) with the contrast in fortunes between the sides being very different.

Heys kick off with a ten point lead at the top of the table after a barnstorming opening to the season, whilst Easts are presently second bottom with six points from eleven games.

Four of those have come in the last four games, suggesting improving fortunes.

Having seen off some of their closest challengers in recent weeks, Jeff Kavanagh will be looking for his side to provide the approach and attitude shown in those games. With two of their closest rivals, Manchester Gregorians and AVRO meeting there is the potential to improve their position still further.

However, Heys and Easts games have proved notoriously unpredictable down the years and it is with that thought that both clubs will approach this weekend’s meetings.