The Barrow based side, who are making a 189 mile round trip, compete in the 1st division of the West Lancashire League. They finished seventh last season and presently occupy the same position this season after six games, in which they have collected nine points.

Formerly the team of the famous Vickers shipyard they were known as Vickers Sports Club up until circa 2001 and then became BAE Systems Sports Club up until 2008 when they became Hawcoat Park Sports Club. They have always been the same club but have gone through various name changes mainly due to the fact that they were tied to the owners of the local Shipyard, i.e. sports club membership was a benefit of working in the shipyard. They are now privately run as a Ltd company by the members of the club, though BAE Systems still retain ownership of the grounds and facilities.

Having lost 4-1 at Lytham Town in the opening round last season they will be hoping for better fortunes and some reward for their long trip against a Heys side who reached the semi-finals last season before losing to Blackpool Wren Rovers.

Jon Lyons side come into the game on the back of some indifferent league form and the Heys boss will be looking for a big improvement on last weekend’s showing in the 3-1 defeat at home to Royton.

The squad is likely to be boosted by the returns of Lyons himself along with Chris Denham, Martin Love, Dave McNally, Phil Woodcock and Greg Wills who missed last week’s game. Shaun Johnson and Conor Landers are set to return to training after injury, neither having figured this season whilst Brad Lyons played a full 90 minutes for the Reserves last week after a long absence. However, it remains to be seen if any of that trio will make the cut.

Meanwhile, Heys Reserves take their 100% record to fellow pacesetters AVRO.

The Lancaster Club side are presently third with nine points from four games. After losing their opening fixtures they have responded with three straight wins against Manchester Gregorians, AFC Monton and Springhead.

It’s the first of two stiff tests for Jeff Kavanagh’s side who face Champions Rochdale Sacred Heart in their next game, and the reserve team boss will have a much clearer indication of his team’s prospects after those two games.