Sadler is shoot out hero as Heys reach Gilgryst Cup Final

Rob Sadler was the hero as Heys booked a spot in the Gilgryst Cup Final with a penalty shoot victory in the semi-final at Stockport Georgians today.

In a hard fought encounter in front of a bumper, partisan crowd Heys emerged victorious after the scores had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Come the shoot-out Sadler excelled with two saves whilst Heys held their nerve to score in clinical fashion all their four penalties.

Georgians scored their first whilst George Powell slotted home Heys. However, Sadler then pulled off a stunning save to keep out Georgians second, showing a strong arm to palm the well struck shot away.

Mark Baguley cast aside stick from the home crowd behind the goal to put Heys in front before Sadler again saved, this time dropping low to his right to push the spot kick away.

Max White then comfortably slotted home Heys third to put them in the box seat at 3-1 before the hosts scored their 4th.

It then fell to John Blackley who used all his experience, keeping a calm head, to slot home comfortably and book Heys a 13th May Final at Hyde United against Royton or Manchester Gregorians.

In the game itself Heys were not at their best, indeed playing their fourth game in ten days they performance was somewhat laboured as they failed to capitalise on playing 75 minutes against ten men after Georgians had a man sent off for violent conduct.

Indeed, the hosts had the better chances during the game despite Heys enjoying long periods of possession.

Georgians twice went close with shots from distance and had an effort ruled out for offside before Heys got their first real sight of goal on the half hour but Blackley could not get enough on his header to divert it goal wards.

Nonetheless, it sparked a strong finish to the half with Lee Bruce and Jamie Baguley both going close with shots.

Georgians opened the second half in great fashion with Sadler tipping a shot onto the bar and then the hosts spurned a clear chance when a close range header was put wide.

It was a let off on which Heys capitalised, taking the lead in the 55th minute when as the ball broke in the box, Bruce teed up White to rifle home from 12 yards.

Hopes Heys may press on and take the game away from the hosts were unfounded as Georgians dug deep to repeatedly break up Heys attacks whilst then looking threatening on the break.

In the 70th minute they levelled. From a free kick on the left the ball was swung into the box and following a bout of head tennis Tom Williams headed the equaliser.

It set the scene for a tense final quarter but in truth neither side looked like winning the tie and so it came to the penalty shoot-out and Sadler’s heroics!

More great pictures by James Lobley can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kickoffmphotography/sets/72157666222269182