Already this season Heys have shown they are able to respond to challenges when things have not being going their way but this was the sternest examination they have faced yet against a very impressive Monton side.

Starting the day in 4th place in the table the hosts made it difficult throughout for Heys. They shaded a tight first half before putting Jon Lyons side under extreme pressure in the second period after Lee Bruce had given them a 55th minute lead.

However, Heys defence was magnificent as it repelled everything the home team could throw at them and when they were breached the woodwork twice came to their rescue.

Only three points separated the sides at the kick off with Monton’s only defeat at Hindsford whilst Heys were unbeaten, making this a huge game even at this early stage of the season.

The high stakes were reflected in a cagey opening as both sides battled for superiority but ultimately cancelled each other out.
Monton looked the livelier and a super length of field passing move created the first opening in the 22nd minute but Ben McNamara lifted his shot over from close range.

It was the prelude to a busy spell from the home side as they tested the Heys rear guard to the full and McNamara and Mark Bradshaw maybe should have done better with a couple of half chances.

Heys were finding it hard to pose any real threat and it was not until the 40th minute that they carved out a chance when Max White broke down the right before pulling the ball back for Jon Lyons whose shot had ‘keeper Phil Price scurrying to save low down.

However, whilst there was plenty of neat passing and endeavour from both teams there was little goalmouth action but it did make for an absorbing watch wondering who would crack first.

With the hosts having edged the first period, there was a noticeable lifting of the tempo from Heys on the restart and they came close to scoring in the 52nd minute as Jamie Baguley flashed a header from a Paul Tierney cross just wide.

However, Heys soon returned to the attack and took the lead in the 55th minute. Greg Wills and White combined before the latter produced a defence splitting angled pass to play in Bruce who delivered a super finish to beat Price.

The goal briefly rattled the hosts and Baguley almost seized on a wayward clearance but saw his 40 yard shot just miss the upright.
With an unbeaten home record to preserve Monton regathered and Rob Sadler had to be sharp, dropping to his knees, to hold a Kieran Nolan shot.

It was the warning shot for a sustained assault on the Heys goal on the back of some super football.

However, Heys stood up stoically and whilst all played their part the back four of Pete Hickford, Shaun Johnson, John Blackley and Paul Tierney led by example to repel the hosts. Time and time again timely tackles and intercepts and a man being in the right place saw home attacks fizzle out.

When they were beaten Heys found Lady Luck on their side as the post first kept out a Mike Gill shot and then an Adam Tse free kick.

With Monton committing more men forward openings appeared for Heys and Erike Sousa went close with a 30 yard effort before then being denied at close range by Price, the ‘keeper tipping his shot onto the post.

It was to prove the last action of an intense, testing ninety minutes that delivered a massive three points for Heys.