Injury time nightmare for Heys

Wythenshawe Amateurs struck twice in injury time to inflict the cruellest of defeats on Prestwich Heys at Grimshaw Park last Saturday.

After goals from full backs Jimmy Kennedy and Shane Birtles had given Heys a 2-0 lead they looked to be heading for a much needed win and although Wythenshawe pulled one back with half an hour remaining it looked like the points were heading Heys way.

However, victory was snatched way when with the 90 minutes up debutant keeper Craig Jerrad failed to come for an innocuous looking cross and John Read stole into head home the equaliser.

If that was hard enough to take in the 4th minute of added time the visitors grabbed the winner. Wayne Bromley, who had been a thorn in Heys side throughout, seized on a loose ball to break down the right and with a punch drunk Heys all at sea he picked out Sam Pollard who drove a shot firmly into the bottom corner.

From being on the verge of a morale boosting win Heys were left to absorb a shattering defeat. With results elsewhere going against them they are now seven points adrift at the bottom of the table, nine points off safety and face a huge task to avoid the drop.

Yet the afternoon had started so well with Heys taking control from the off with some slick play. George Powell was to the fore, with his pace causing problems for the visitors, whose keeper Martin Blain was twice on hand to deny him in the opening quarter of an hour.

However he was powerless to stop Heys taking a 17th minute lead when after Powell had been upended in the box Kennedy stepped forward to strike the perfect penalty.

Kennedy went close again moments later and it was not until the half hour mark that “The Ammies” created anything of note. However, when they did they should have opened their account with Bromley and Dan Browne squandering chances that looked easier to score from.

Although Bromley tested Jerrad shortly after half time it was Heys who remained in the ascendancy after the restart adding to their lead in the 51st minute when Birtles seized on a wayward clearance to slot home from close range.

Nathan Tosum then twice went close with headers as Heys threatened to run riot but the visitors dug in and out of the blue pulled one back in the 57th minute when Pat O’Brien met Bromley’s cross with a fine finish on the turn.

As the intensity moved up a notch both keepers pulled off fine saves with Jerrad denying Bromley and Blain tipping substitute Paul Tierney’s shot round the post. However, remarkably the referee acknowledged neither saves with corners giving goal kicks instead.

In a ferocious climax, Heys found themselves being forced back onto the defensive but it looked like mission accomplished as the clock ticked onto 90 minutes. Then the nightmare commenced.

This Saturday Heys take to the Astroturf at Manchester City’s Platt Lane complex as they face last seasons Champions Manchester Gregorians (2pm)

Heys Reserves romped to a 7-1 win at Dukinfield Town. Yves Zama led the way with a hat-trick with Hal Birtles, Joe Booth, Adnan Zubair and John Umigwana adding the others. The Reserves have no game this weekend.

The A team, who lost 0-3 to Stockport Georgians, face Dukinfield at Grimshaw Park (2pm).