Love penalty earns Heys a point in a classic encounter

An 80th minute Martin Love penalty earned Heys a point as they drew 2-2 with Royton Town in a classic encounter at Adie Moran Park tonight.

Both these sides are fancied to challenge for honours and neither did anything to suggest that this will not be the case come the end of the season.

The pace of the game and the quality of the football was unrelenting throughout. The pedantic may say that with steadier finishing and composure both sides could have added significantly to their tally in a match of numerous chances.

However, that only added the drama for the enthralled crowd which included Paul Scholes who must have headed off to Salford City very impressed by what he saw.

From the start the tempo was set. Inside the first minute Dalton McLaughlin fired over for Heys before Royton’s Wayne Dean then spurned a good chance from close range at the other end.

Indeed, the visitors, winners on their last two visits to Prestwich, were the stronger in the opening exchanges and should have gone ahead through Danny Gilmartin but he put a free header wide.

A great run down the left by Greg Wills provided Craig Thomas with an opening in the 14th minute but the full back’s shot flew wide of the target. However, it kick started a concerted spell of Heys pressure on the back of some super football.

A long range effort by Thomas was held by Royton ‘keeper Roy Potts before Jamie Baguley skimmed a shot wide.

A slick build up then put Jon Lyons in space but as he cut into the box Potts was quick to block his shot.

The Heys boss had another chance moments later as he met a McLaughlin cross with a header that edged wide of the post.

The goal that seemed imminent came in the 27th minute but to Heys horror it was at the other end as Royton took the lead. A great run by Mike Moss saw him elude several would be challengers before his shot caught Sadler in two minds and although getting a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out.

The goal roused the visitors and moments later, with Heys defence all at sea, Moss missed a sitter from six yards.

The action then swung to the other end. Lyons saw a vicious in swinging corner clawed from under the bar by Potts before Johnson then fired narrowly wide.

Then, on the stroke of half time Sadler turned saviour, keeping Heys in the game, with a superb fingertip save to deny Dean.

Its importance was underlined within a minute of the restart as Heys pulled level. A ball into the box met at close range by John Blackley.

Heys joy was to prove short-lived however, as three minutes later Royton regained the lead. A free kick was only cleared to the edge of the area to Dean who finished impressively with a low shot through the crowded goalmouth.

The momentum was now with the visitors, as they penned Heys back. Breaking up their attacks in midfield and pressing forward at pace.

Heys couldn’t get a hold in the game and it took some strong defence to keep Royton at bay as they failed to capitalise on their control.
Just past the midway point Baguley seized on a loose clearance by keeper Potts and sent a 25 yard shot, by return, just wide.

It was a foot in the door for Heys who began to regain a foothold in the game and start to find gaps in their opponents defence.

Although Royton remained dangerous, Heys were building and in the 80th minute they were level. A precise pass from Baguley released Bruce into the box and as he shaped to shoot, he was upended.

From the spot kick Love was as cool as you like, driving into the roof of the net.

An absorbing game was now set for a last ten minute shoot out. As the play switched from end to end chances came and went for both sides.

Neither side could land the decisive blow, in the end fitting, after a magnificent, breathless encounter.