Match Preview

Heys welcome Skelmersdale United to Adie Moran Park for their first home, Saturday League fixture, since the opening day of the season.

That was ten weeks ago and there has already been a fair share of ups and downs in that period. At the moment, Heys are very much on an upwards trajectory. After a stop/start opening to their League campaign Lee O’Brien and James Hampson have seen their side put together a six-game unbeaten run consisting of five successive wins followed by a draw in their last outing on Tuesday night at Barnoldswick Town, where only a last gasp equaliser denied them victory.

It's a run that has pushed Heys up to tenth in the table, three points off the play off positions and nine behind leaders Bury, on whom they have four games in hand. With todays’ game the first of three home matches in the next four games, the Heys Management team will be looking for their side to maintain their form and break into the leading pack over the coming month. O'Brien, in his programme notes for the game ,says he is generally pleased with the teams' form but wants to see them "getting back to keeping clean sheets, or not giving cheap goals away". His full notes can be read in Touchliner, available at the turnstiles, priced £2.

For the visitors it’s a different story. Their focus is at the opposite end of the table and looking to avoid relegation, come April. Skem currently sit bottom of the table, with just three points to their credit from their first fourteen matches.

It marks a rapid change in fortunes. Two years ago, they clinched promotion to the Northern Premier League, finishing second to Macclesfield. They came eleventh in the NPL last season but then ground grading issues surrounding their official home and their temporary home at Burscough saw them relegated back to the Counties.

Their only points this season have come from a 2-0 home win over FC Isle of Man on August Bank Holiday Monday. They come into the game on the back of eight successive League defeats. However, with over two thirds of the season still to play, they will believe they can still turn things around and having lost their last two games by just a single goal will be hoping that change will soon come.

MATCH INFORMATION

Ground: Adie Moran Park, Sandgate Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6WG

Telephone: 0161 773 8888 (match days only)

Licensed bar in the clubhouse serving hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food/snacks and equipped with televisions and seating for around sixty people. Gents and Ladies WC's are also located in the clubhouse. An additional serving hatch is available adjacent to the Seated Stand.

There are separate toilet facilities inside the ground. These are located in the red building block to the left of the turnstiles as you enter the ground.

We have a covered standing area for approx 150 people and covered seating for 100.

There's free on-site parking for around 150 cars on the front and down the length of the motorway side of the ground. Car park Stewards will guide you to a space. On entering the ground at present you will note there are presently Cabins on the Car Park, reducing capacity.

However, there is now additional Car Parking available down the whole length of the motorway side of the ground.

On arrival if you find the front Car Park full, please proceed across the Car Park, past the turnstiles to the end of the ground perimeter and then turn right to use this additional space.

We would ask that you do not double park or cause a blockage on the front Car Park. Also please do not park on Sandgate Road.

Please do not park on Sandgate Road or surrounding streets.

Hard standing around the entire pitch.

Pyrotechnics are banned. This includes Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs. Anyone carrying pyrotechnics will be subject to a Football Banning order.

Supporters are also reminded that is an offence to enter the Playing Area and doing so can result in a Banning order.

The Club does not allow Dogs into the ground. The only exception to this rule is for Disability Support Dogs.

Please note out of consideration to our neighbours Drums and other Musical Instruments are banned from the ground. Visiting supporters are asked to also refrain from placing flags on the Clubhouse / Seated stand side of the ground.

2022/24 Admission Prices: Adults £7, Concessions £4 (over 65's and students with valid student card), Under 16 's and under FREE.

Programme Price: £2.00

Directions: M60 to junction 17 head towards Whitefield, take first right into Clyde Avenue and continue over the traffic lights onto Thatch Leach Lane, turn right at the Frigate Public House, go over the motorway bridge, the ground is on the left.

Nearest Railway: Besses O`Barn Metrolink Station, Bury Old Road. Turn right out of station and follow directions as above.

Nearest Bus Route to Ground: 135 from Manchester to Bury Route, alight at Besses o Barn and follow directions as above.