Heys hopes crushed by Bamber Bridge

Heys hopes of Lancashire Challenge Trophy success were brought to a shuddering end as they crashed to a 9-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Bamber Bridge.

The Northern Premier League side were simply too powerful for Heys, who on the night could not make up the four-division gap between the sides.

From the off Heys found themselves on the back foot as Bamber Bridge put them under sustained attack.

That pressure paid off on nine minutes, when Sheldon Green jinxed through the defence, cut inside the box and picked out Matt Dudley who scored from close range.

There was no respite for Heys, and they found themselves further behind in the 24th minute when Rowan Roache slotted home from the penalty spot.

Two minutes later, Bridge increased their lead further when after Chris Marlow’s header hit the post, Dudley followed up to score.

Adam Stevens then made a sharp save to deny Nathan Shaw but the Heys keeper came out second best in the 37th minute when the duo went head to head again, the striker delivering a superb finish to score his sides fourth goal.

Heys did briefly ease the pressure through Jack Coop who sent a looping shot over the bar but in the 41st minute Bridge made it five with a smart finish from Marlow.

Whilst the half time break offered some respite, Heys were soon under the cosh again on the restart. After a Richie Allen shot had been blocked, Shaw followed up to score from close range.

Shaw then completed his hat trick with a close- range finish to make it seven on 51 minutes and when Danny Forbes added an eighth two minutes later Heys looked in danger of a double figure defeat.

To their immense credit though they continued to battle away and created openings of their own. Nathan Emery fired wide and then Will Shawcross hit a lovely shot from 18 yards just wide.

One of the positives of the night was the return from injury of Reece Lyndon at half time and the Heys striker went close in the 75th minute, firing just over from distance.

However, Bridge came roaring back and in the 79th minute Roache made it nine with a 20-yard shot into the top corner.

This was a tough night for Heys but they showed plenty of spirit throughout, when they could easily have thrown in the towel, against a mightily impressive Bamber Bridge side.

Heys Team : Adam Stevens, Oliver Hatfield-Banton, Nathan Emery, Greg Wills. Adrian Bellamy, Jacob Holt (Capt), Jamie Sinnott, James Dwyer, Jack Coop, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Hill Subs : Wil Shawcross (for Hill 72 mins), Reece Lyndon (for Sinnott 45 mins), Rees Welsh (for Hatfield-Banton 45 mins), Francesco Frangillo, Dominik Williams