In a see saw encounter Heys started and finished the game poorly. However, in between Jon Lyons team were imperious as some slick football and clinical finishing saw them came from 2-0 down to lead 6-2 before a Walshaw rally reduced the arrears.

Whilst Heys entered the game in second place, Walshaw kicked off second from bottom and still seeking their first win.

However, the unknowing would have been forgiven for not being able to judge which side was which in the opening quarter of the game as the visitors bossed proceedings.

Whilst Heys were ponderous and nervy Walshaw brimmed with energy and purpose.

Indeed it took only five minutes for them to open the scoring as Adam Latham broke into the penalty area before crossing low to the far post for Mario Daniel to slot home.

Only the post saved Heys two minutes later as a Latham free kick caused panic and Lee Chapman’s flick came off the outside of the frame of the goal.

Jamie Baguley raised home hopes shortly after with a determined run and shot that Walshaw ‘keeper Alex Blake pushed round the post.
When Blake then tipped a Max White free kick onto the bar it seemed Heys were warming to their task.

However, in the 20th minute Heys found themselves further behind as they conceded a goal that summed up their start to the game. Some dreadful, indecisive defending saw a bouncing ball not dealt with and when Rob Sadler clawed the ball from under the bar, Daniel followed up to head into the net.

Shortly after Sadler saved low down at the foot of the post from Daniel as Heys continued to struggle.

However, on the half hour they found a way back into the game. Having been denied earlier Max White was not to be denied a second time as scored with a superb free kick from 20 yards out that beat Blake all ends up.

It was the catalyst for a devastating a phase of play from Heys as they have produced for many a year during which they ran the visitors ragged.

When a White corner was only half cleared Jon Lyons adjusted his position superbly to rifle an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to level matters in the 33rd minute.

Heys then made it three goals in seven minutes when Lee Bruce fed Jamie Baguley who drove into the box before drilling a low shot from an acute angle between the ‘keeper and post.

The roles were reversed in the 43rd minute as Baguley turned provider to set Bruce free. However, the Heys striker still had much to do but he rounded the ‘keeper before calmly picking off the remnants of the Walshaw defence to slot home.

The half time whistle seemed almost an act of mercy on the visitors such had been the turnaround.

There was to be no real respite after the break though as Heys continued to boss matters and they duly increased their lead in the 62nd minute in breath-taking fashion.

A John Blackley free kick was sent down the right wing for Greg Wills to outpace his marker and as the Heys wide man cut inside he coolly delivered as sublime chip as you will see over the ‘keeper from an acute angle.

New striker signing Matt Boland, who has signed from Atherton Collieries, was introduced to the fray and made an instant impact seeing an effort ruled out for offside before then playing a part in Heys sixth goal in the 70th minute.

After his header had come off the bar, Wills was on hand to slam home his second.

A rout looked on the cards but to their credit, Walshaw rallied and reduced the arrears three minutes later when Barrie Campbell headed home from a corner.

When three minutes later Campbell repeated the dose, this time from a free kick, Heys began to look edgy, finishing the game as they had started.

Indeed, with four minutes left Daniel was denied his hat-trick by the post saving the hosts further anxiety on an action packed afternoon.