HEYS SLIP TO DEFEAT

For the second successive week Prestwich Heys slipped to a single goal defeat in losing at 1-0 Wythenshawe Amateurs last Saturday.

In a scrappy game, not helped by a dreadful playing surface, Heys again enjoyed large swathes of possession but the lack of firepower in attack which has haunted them all season again saw them finish empty handed.

The defeat, coupled with Dukinfield’s victory at AFC Bury, leaves Heys seven points off safety with ten games remaining and facing a huge task to avoid relegation from the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division.

The game opened in lively fashion with the home side going close with a Kareem Ahmed header before Matty Morris found himself bearing down on goal for Heys but under challenge he was unable to get enough power on his shot.

Shane Birtles came to Heys rescue in the 9th minute heading off the line from a Glynn Barber header before Heys settled to their task to enjoy the bulk of the possession.

However, they were often found wanting when it came to the final pass whilst the home side on their more limited possession carried more threat particularly from set pieces and long throw ins.

It was the latter that was to prove Heys undoing on the half hour as John Rand’s log throw was met at the near post by Rob Kempton whose backward flick took the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

Heys continued to press upto half time without making an impression and then found themselves under the cosh at the start of the second half as Wythenshawe looked to put the game beyond Jon Lyons side.

Gary Massey pulled off a tremendous last gasp cover tackle to thwart the dangerous Sam Partridge and then Daniel Garman, again proving a more than able deputy for Damien Rooney in goal, pulled of a fine save, low down, to again deny Partridge.

On the hour the game looked up for Heys when Jimmy Kennedy upended Barber to give the referee no option but to award a penalty but Rand then pulled his spot kick wide.

Heys assistant manager, Karl Kavanagh, made a couple of substitutions, introducing Brandon Jolly and Nathan Tosum for Kennedy and Massey to try and stem the flow and the changes began to have an effect as first Morris lifted a shot just over the bar and then Tosum, on the turn, fired over.

With just six minutes remaining Heys were thrown a lifeline when the referee saw an infringement on Tosum and awarded a penalty. However, from the spot kick Jon Lyons pulled his shot wide of the goal.

It was to be Heys last chance to salvage anything from the game. In the wider scheme they have a third of the season to save themselves from the drop starting with a tough trip to title chasing East Manchester this Saturday. Kick off at Wright Robinson College is 2.30pm.

Heys Reserves were also beaten 1-0, by Wythenshawe Amateurs Reserves, at Grimshaw Park. This weekend they entertain Old Alts Reserves (2pm)

The “A” team were crushed 9-0 at Royton Town and face a home game at Close Park against league leaders Springhead “A” this Saturday.