Kidd and Itela sink Ashton

Heys made it two wins out of two as goals either side of half time by Theo Kidd and Michael Itela gave them victory at Ashton Town.

Although they were ultimately comfortable winners, Heys did not have it all their own way and rode their luck in the opening quarter as the woodwork and some impressive goalkeeping by Michael Smith kept the hosts at bay.

Itela had an early chance for Heys but that was to be as good as it got as Ashton, returning to the League after a twelve-month absence, seized the initiative.

After forcing a couple of corners, Town went close when a good through ball found Matthew Johnson in the box, but a fantastic save by Smith prevented him opening the scoring.

Heys did get the ball in the net but the effort was ruled out for offside, but it was a brief respite as Ashton dictated the pace.

Only a last-ditch tackle kept Bradley Smart out before Smith excelled with two great saves first denying Dylan Glass what looked a certain goal before then keeping out a header from Smart.

It was not until the half hour that Heys made any impression on the game as a great free kick by Carl Fitton picked out Jake Wood, but his header went just over.

Fitton then put in a pass into the box from the half way line that nearly ended up going in, only the post preventing it from doing so.

Moments later the woodwork was to come to Heys rescue as shot came off the bar.

Having rode their luck somewhat, Heys then broke to take the lead in the 43rd minute. Rio Wilson-Heyes cross come shot brought out a save from Ashton keeper John Courtney, but the stopper couldn’t hold the ball and Kidd followed up to force the ball home with his knee.

Whatever was said at half time in the dressing rooms had a profound effect as Heys came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half.

Itela spotted the keeper off his line, but his shot was stopped before it crossed the line in the 47th minute before five minutes later he added to Heys tally.

The Heys wide man burst into the box and from a tight angle rifled the ball past Courtney.

The hosts looked to get back in the game but with Heys defence looking increasingly assured they found it difficult to make the headway that they had in the first period.

Looking increasingly comfortable Heys looked to add to their lead and Wilson-Heyes and Fitton both tested the keeper.

Courtney was called into action again in the 82nd minute when Chris Baguley got clear but the ‘keeper narrowed the angle to force the Heys man to steer wide.

However, it was too late to alter the direction of the match and the points as Heys eased to victory.

Team: Michael Smith, Danny Vincent, Carl Fitton, Isaac Illidge, Jacob Holt, Jake Wood (Capt), Danny White, Dom Slaven, Theodore Kidd, Michael Itela, Rio Wilson-Heyes, Subs; Jamie Baguley (for Illidge 66mins), David Bondo, Lewis Adams (for White 80 mins), Chris Baguley (for Kidd 73 mins), Mark Baguley