Victory for Heys

A stunning 70th minute Joey Booth goal gave Prestwich Heys their first victory of the season at Grimshaw Park on Tuesday night.

After their mauling at the hands of East Manchester on Saturday, Heys bounced back in fine style with their best performance of the season, making for a triumphant return to the dugout for Manager Bert Iannaccone.

Booth’s goal capped a second half fight back after Heys had let slip a one-nil half-time lead against a lively Dukinfield side that Heys leapfrogged in the table after this victory.

In a match played at a furious pace throughout there was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges with play switching from end to end. There was a clear contrast in styles with the visitors favouring the early, long ball for their pacy strikers to chase, allied to some punishing Rory Delap type throw-in’s whilst Heys were happy to get the ball on the ground and try and play their way through.

There were chances at both ends before Heys took a 19th minute lead when after a fine crossfield move the ball was worked to the overlapping Kyle Greaves to scoot into the box and finish with a deft lofted shot over the ‘keeper.

Dukinfield hit back strongly and it took a strong challenge by Danny Johnson to avert what looked a certain equaliser, the Heys centre half getting enough on the ball to deflect the ball wide of an open goal.

Nonetheless, Heys were playing their part in a see-saw game and were good value for their halftime lead which Danny Morley came close to adding to within moments of the restart, starting and finishing a move that ended with the ‘keeper saving bravely at the feet of the combative Heys midfielder.

However, in the space of three minutes the game was turned on its head as the visitors scored twice. First, a long ball sprang the Heys offside trap and Exley strode through to lift the ball over Lewis Bishop for the equaliser.

Then on 55 minutes a quick throw caught Heys out and Crossland finished in identical fashion.

Momentarily, Heys looked shaken as Dukinfield threatened to take the game by the scruff of the neck but importantly on the hour Heys levelled. Booth drove a free-kick into the heart of the goalmouth where Johnson rose above everyone to head home.

Dukinfield almost went back in front moments later and Heys were relieved to see Crossland’s header strike the post.

It was an escape Heys made the most of and as they took a grip of the game Booth sent his team mates and the home support wild with delight with a tremendous shot from 20 yards out that beat the ‘keeper all ends up to put his side back in front.

It was lead they were not relinquish with another shot from Booth tipped wide and Adnan Zubair going agonisingly close as Heys, with some flowing football, moved towards their first three pointer of the campaign.