Heys run ends at Royton

Heys bowed out of the Lancashire Shield as they went down 3-2 at Royton Town.

The defeat was their first of the season in any competition and overall they could have few complaints.

Although they played well in patches and had chances it was a day when they never quite matched the intensity of a Royton side whose performance belied recent results.

Royton came into the game on the back of three successive league defeats but they started confidently to pen Heys back.

Rob Sadler was called into action as early as the 6th minute as he had to stretch to push a Joe Jacombes shot over.

From the resultant corner, Heys early malaise should have been punished but Jacombes, unmarked six yards out, headed over.

Shortly after it was Heys who were to turn down a golden opportunity when Royton ‘keeper Mark Howard completely missed a clearance and the ball ran to Erike Sousa. However, he dallied with his shot, allowing a last gasp defensive lunge to deflect the ball onto the post.

It was the prelude to a better spell from Heys and a super through ball by Max White released Greg Wills but he pulled his shot wide.

Neither side were stamping their authority on the game though and it was the hosts who had the next chance when Wayne Dean found space in the box but his close range effort was smothered superbly by Sadler.

As the pace relented Heys began to enjoy greater possession and Howard had to be alert to tip a White free kick over and then on the stroke of half time push a John Blackley effort over the bar.

Whilst the half had proved pretty both sides had lacked an overall cutting edge. The second half however proved an altogether different affair.

Heys opened brightly and a super shot by Jamie Baguley was saved by the outstretched leg of Howard before the hosts broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

From a corner Jacombes headed against the bar and as the ball broke loose he was first to react to rifle home from close range.

With the game much more open Heys levelled in the 69th minute when from a Jon Lyons free kick Baguley stood up his marker and planted a super header from 12 yards inside the post.

However, parity lasted just two minutes as Royton regained the lead in spectacular style.

When Billy Dempsey picked up the ball midway inside Heys half, just in from the touchline there seemed little danger, but the Royton man took a few steps before unleashing a stunning, angled, long range shot that rocketed into the top corner.

Lifted by the goal the hosts had a chance to put the game to bed moments later as Andrew Stafford got clear but Sadler came off his line to save superbly.

Heys were thrown a further lifeline with five minutes left when from the softest of back passes the Royton ’keeper, for the second time in the game, completely missed his clearance but this time he paid the price as it rolled into the net for the equaliser.

If Heys thought it was a sign this was going to be their day though those thoughts were quickly dispelled as two minutes later Royton were back in front when Alan Beckett nipped into score with a looping header.

The drama was still not complete though and in the last minute Howard made some amends as he tipped a Baguley free kick over to ensure there was no way back for Heys.