On a surreal afternoon weather wise, strong winds, dark clouds but almost tropical temperatures, Heys produced arguably their best performance of the season so far against a strong Yorkshire side.

Hailing from the outskirts of Leeds, Garforth play in the Northern Counties East Premier Division, a division higher than Heys. The final score line was perhaps harsh on them as they gave the home side a searching examination at times.

However, Heys played with an attacking swagger not seen since last season and their finishing was outstanding. Each goal a potential awards winner in any such vote.

They hit the straps right from the kick off, taking the lead inside two minutes. Rio Wilson-Heyes was the architect with a break down the left wing before he squared the ball across the edge of the penalty area for Chris Baguley, who marked his appointment as Player Coach prior to kick off, with a rocket shot into the top corner of the net.

A minute later, Heys struck again. Wilson-Heyes once again scattered the Garforth defence but this time opted to go it alone, rifling a 25-yard shot into the exact top corner that his team mate Baguley had found.

The response from the visitors was strong however. Stringing some good football together and showing pace out wide they began to stretch Heys defence and were rewarded with a goal in the 15th minute.

Shaquille Clark-Adams, skilful and deceptively quick, cut into the Heys box and drilled a shot into the far corner.

Garforth stayed on the attack and four minutes later some superb one touch football, including a defence splitting back heel, opened Heys up and it took a an out stretched leg from Heys keeper Michael Smith to keep out Mark Ferguson’s low shot.

Heys eased the pressure and almost added to their tally in the 24th minute when from a Max White corner, Jake Wood’s header came back off the bar.

Jordan Icely tested Garforth keeper Toby Wells shortly after as Heys continued to look dangerous with every attack.

Garforth arguably enjoyed the greater possession, but Heys were dogged in their defending, particularly with the increasingly strong wind blowing largely behind the visitors, although it was an increasing hindrance to both teams as the half drew to a close.

There appeared a slight decrease in the wind on the restart as both sides looked to make an impression. Wilson-Heyes created an opening for the returning Lee Bruce but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Clark-Adams remained a dangerous outlet for the visitors, almost impossible to dispossess, he cut into the Heys box before forcing Smith into a smart save low down.

In the 54th minute though Heys increased their lead tanks to the brilliance of Wilson-Heyes. It’s been a quiet start to the season for the Heys wide man but here he was back to his best. Receiving the ball out wide, he cut inside and then curled a rasping shot into the far corner of the net with Wells rooted to the spot.

Garforth again responded well and three minutes later were back in the game. From a corner, Heys failed to clear and although Smith saved amidst a goal mouth scramble, Declan Greene forced the ball home.

Clark-Adams twice threatened but lacked the finish to go with his approach play as the visitors sensed an equaliser but in the 64th minute Heys went forward and added a fourth goal.

This time the threat came down the right as Lee Grimshaw, still fresh off the bench, left defenders in his wake before crossing low for Icely. The finish may have been from six yards but was as clinical as any, as the Heys striker let the ball go behind him before delivering a deft back heel with the inside of his foot, for his first goal in a Heys shirt.

The goal sapped the Yorkshire men who must have sensed no matter what they tried, they could find no answer to Heys clinical attacking play.

Only the crossbar prevented further damage in the 70th minute as Grimshaw picked out Chris Baguley on the edge of the area, his ferocious shot almost demolished the goal posts but alas stayed out of the net.

In the 75th minute though, Heys were celebrating again after another stunning strike. This time Max White was the man with the Exocet, his 30-yard free kick beating the flailing arm of Wells.

Three minutes later it was six courtesy of another incredible strike, this time from Grimshaw. The Heys striker drew the attention of three defenders before turning swiftly and rifling a 25-yard shot into the roof of the net.

An ultimately emphatic victory was Heys. They have, in this stop start campaign, delivered some good performances, but this felt different. As Jon Lyons said afterwards “When Rio is in that mood, he is unplayable but our overall play, particularly in attack, finally looked like that of last season”.

Heys will hope a corner has been turned.

Team: Michael Smith, Jacob Holt, Carl Fitton, Max White, Mark Ayres, Jake Wood (Capt), Danny Warburton, Lee Bruce, Chris Baguley, Rio Wilson-Heyes Subs: Lee Grimshaw (for Bruce 56 mins), Danny Vincent, Darius Photiou (for Chris Baguley 71 mins), Justin Pickering (for Icely 80 mins), Jamie Baguley.