Tierney double fires Heys to victory

Paul Tierney made a triumphant return from injury to fire Prestwich Heys to victory at title chasing East Manchester last Saturday.

Having been out of action since last November, the Heys striker returned to the fray to score twice in the opening sixteen minutes as Jon Lyon’s side kept their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division alive.

However, whilst Tierney’s goals put Heys on their way, this win was founded on a tremendously disciplined defensive performance in the face of long periods of pressure from the home side, particularly so in the second half.

Heys took the lead after only five minutes. From a free kick out on the left wing Brad Lyons swung in a super cross which was met by Tierney with a glancing header to give his side the perfect start.

In a lively opening Easts almost levelled in identical circumstances but Mike Jennings header from a Jamie Byrnes free kick went just over the bar.

Within a minute however, Heys were in dreamland as they increased their lead. Joey Booth won possession midway in his own half and sent a super pass down the touchline for Tierney to beat the offside trap with an angled run. As Paul Compton in the Easts goal rushed out to narrow the angle, the Heys striker was unfazed as he planted his shot into the bottom corner.

Easts responded forcefully and began to dominate possession but such was Heys resilience it was not until the 40th minute that they found a clear sight of goal when Paul Brown found space in the area to get in a shot which was superbly saved with his legs by Daniel Garman.

His opposite number Compton was in action moments later to deny Tierney his hat-trick, pushing a shot round the post before Garman then saved low from Simon Finnigan.

The second half started with the home side again pressing but finding their way to goal blocked as a Heys defence marshalled superbly by Grant Mody and Shaun Johnson held firm.

Indeed, it was Heys who again came closest to scoring as first Tierney saw a shot blocked and from the resultant corner Gary Massey’s goal bound volley was headed clear.

However, as the half wore on Heys found themselves increasingly penned back but the desire and work rate demonstrated by every player continued to frustrate their hosts.

It was not until the last five minutes that Easts seriously threatened to score as first Byrnes put a header wide when it seemed easier to score and then in added time Finnigan saw a header hit the inside of the post with Garman scooping the ball way to safety from the incoming Byrnes.

An excellent result tempered to a degree by Heywood St. James victory over Monton that means Heys remain bottom by a point. However, they are now four points off safety with nine games to play, the first of which is this Saturday, away to a Royton Town side who have won all their last three league games since being beaten by Heys in January. Kick off at Christine Street, Shaw is 2pm.

Heys Reserves entertain Elton Vale Reserves at Grimshaw Park (2pm) hoping to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Old Alts last Saturday.

Meanwhile, the “A” team picked up a tremendous point in a 2-2 draw with league leaders Springhead “A” at Close Park. This Saturday they host West Didsbury (2pm).