Match Preview

Heys push for promotion takes them to Atherton LR on Saturday (3pm).

Having played only once in January, Jon Lyons’ team are facing a fixture pile up. They still have twenty League fixtures to complete and are still involved in two Cup competitions, the Macron Cup and LWC Drinks 1st Division Cup. With all League matches to be completed by May 5th it means there are just fourteen weeks remaining of the season.

Heys are still in the thick of the promotion race but have dropped to fourth in the table as a result of their inactivity. They still look a good bet for at least a play-off place but are locked in a increasingly tight race for the two automatic promotion spots.

The Adie Moran Park outfit will hope for an improvement in the weather for this weekend. Heys were beaten 1-0 at Crilly Park last season, a defeat which effectively signalled the beginning of the end of their promotion hopes, something they will be anxious to avoid again.

With its big slope it’s always a tough place to visit. LR have had an up and down season and presently sit 13th with 29 points from 24 games. Their form in the past few weeks perhaps encapulsates their campaign. After successive wins, away at Carlisle City and at home to Stockport Town, they have suffered back to back defeats away to Sandbach and home to Bacup.

It's something they will be eager to put right on Saturday and Heys know they will need to roll up their sleeves and battle it out, something they failed to do in last season's encounter.

Unbeaten in their last four outings, Heys will be looking to pick up the pace once again as they target a promotion spot come May.

Matchday Information

Ground: Crilly Park, Spa Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester, M46 9XG

Telephone: 01942 575173

Admission Prices: £5 Adults, £3 Concessions

Programme Price: £2.50

Directions: M61 to Junction 5, follow signs for Westhoughton, turn left onto A6, turn right at first lights into Newbrook Road, then turn right into Upton Road, passing Atherton Central Station. Turn left into Spa Road

Nearest Railway: Atherton (Manchester)

Nearest Bus Route to Ground: Atherton is served by the 582 bus running between Bolton and Leigh. Alight at the bus stop nearest Atherton Train Station, walk along Upton Road over the railway bridge and turn left onto Springfield Road, then left onto Hillside Avenue. Continue walking along Hillside Avenue for about 300m until you arrive at the football ground.

Parking Facilities: There is plenty of parking inside and immediately outside the ground. On busy match days please park courteously in the residential area. Please do not park in the bus stop outside the ground.

Ground Facilities: There is a licensed bar and snack bar serving hot food and drinks open on match days. There is plenty of covered seating in the main stand and there is covered standing on two sides of the ground. Toilets are accessed via the bar