Prestwich Heys extended their lead at the top of the FBT Manchester League Premier Division to six points with a 4-0 win over Boothstown at Adie Moran Park.

With many of their rivals out of action due to postponements, Jon Lyons’s team made the most of their game in hand to record a comfortable victory and maintain their unbeaten start to the season which stands at 11 games.

Boothstown, promoted to the Premier Division last season, have found it hard going in the top tier but played some good football at times and showed plenty of grit and determination that should stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.

Indeed they bossed the early possession only to find themselves a goal down inside four minutes as with their first meaningful attack Heys took the lead.

After a patient build up Dalton McLaughlin seized possession on the edge of the penalty area and planted a shot high into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later Heys added to their total. As a move from the visitors broke down, Heys quickly turned defence into attack and Jon Stephenson was put in the clear and he rounded the ‘keeper to slot home.

The away side continued to enjoy plenty of the ball but got no joy from Heys defence whilst the hosts, who had top scorers Lee Bruce and Jamie Baguley on the bench, always looked dangerous on attack.

Never was the difference more starkly illustrated than on the half hour as Heys scored a third goal. Erike Sousa made an electrifying break down the left, from half way, to open up the Boothstown defence and when he crossed Stephenson came in at the near post to poke home.

Heys continued to look menacing after the break, within a minute of the restart, Boothstown ‘keeper Richard Higgs was in action, blocking Wes Bancroft at close range with the Heys striker further frustrated as he seized on the loose ball only to see his second effort cleared off the line.

A super ball into the box by Paul Tierney created a chance for Greg Wills but his first time shot whistled over the bar as the pressure mounted.
From a flurry of corners Peter Hickford headed just over before the lead was increased just after the hour. Tierney, who has been so impressive at left back, keeping Player of the Year George Powell out of the side, was switched to attack as the latter entered the fray.

Within a minute, Tierney, top scorer two seasons ago, was on hand to drill home Heys fourth sweeping the ball across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.

It seemed a case of how many Heys might score but Higgs was in fine form and twice denied Sousa at close range before then somehow denying Tierney a second on the goal line.

Boothstown continued to stick at it and it took a good save late on from Rob Sadler to deny them a consolation and give Heys a third successive clean sheet in the League.

The win puts Heys in a good position at the top of the table ahead of what may prove a defining pre-Xmas period in which they face four of their challengers, starting with AFC Monton at Adie Moran Park on Saturday, 2pm.