Heys suffer setback

Prestwich Heys battle against relegation suffered a setback as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester Gregorians in an untidy game at Grimshaw Park last Saturday.

Playing their first game in five weeks there was a decidedly rusty edge to Heys performance as they succumbed to a close range 60th minute Rick Dunby goal.

Despite a late rally Heys were unable to find an equaliser on a frustrating afternoon in which Jon Lyons’ side never really threatened to repeat the 5-1 win they enjoyed at Gregorians in November.

It started promisingly for Heys as they made all the early running to force the visitors onto the back foot but it was Gregorians who produced the first meaningful threat on goal in the 14th minute when Mike Robertson forced a fine save low down from Heys debutant ‘keeper Daniel Garman.

As Heys looked to up the ante Brad Lyons flashed a shot across the face of goal but for all their possession they were unable to carve out any clear openings.

Brad Lyons lifted a shot over in the 40th minute after some fine wing play by Shane Birtles but it was Gregorians who ended the half on the up with Curtis Braithwaite not quite able to get enough on the ball to force home a great cross from former Heys player Martin Love.

The second half opened in scrappy fashion with neither side able to find any rhythm until Birtles, who had been Heys main attacking threat, burst through in the 57th minute only to be denied by a fine save by Alan Johnson in the visitor’s goal.

On the hour came the defining moment of the match as Gregorians took the lead with a scrappy goal that summed up the whole game. A corner from Love was miss hit and although Heys had chances to clear they failed to do so and amidst flailing legs Dunby applied the finishing touch from six yards out.

There was more frustration for Heys as in one incident they had two penalty appeals turned down as first Birtles and then, as the ball broke loose from the challenge, Brad Lyons appeared to be upended in the box.

It was almost game over shortly after as Love let fly with a shot that was tipped over superbly by Garman.

Heys launched one last push for the equaliser in the closing minutes with debutant Mark Fitton coming off the bench to try his luck with two fierce shots and then Birtles found himself in space in the area but his shot was blocked by a superb reflex save by Johnson.

A disappointing afternoon for Heys but fortunately all the four sides above them also lost so although an opportunity missed there was no ground lost in their bid to stay up.

It’s a battle that will have to be done the hard way with eight of the remaining eleven games away from home with this Saturday’s trip to Wythenshawe Amateurs being the first of six successive away matches. Kick off at Longley Lane, Northenden is 2pm.

Yves Xama scored four as Heys Reserves enjoyed an impressive 5-3 win at Leigh Athletic. This weekend they entertain Wythenshawe Amateurs at Grimshaw Park (2pm).

The "A" team's home game with Royton was postponed. The two sides will try again this Saturday at Royton.