Holt gives Heys last gasp victory

writes Scott White

Heys made their first visit to the Anchor Ground in Darwen in just over thirty-five years, and the wait was worthwhile as both teams played out a dramatic and entertaining ninety minutes.

Sven Gibson returned from injury for his first game of the season, and Brad Sixsmith made a welcome return to the side in a reshuffled starting eleven.

In truth, Heys should have put the game to bed by half-time as they spurned a host of chances.

In the second minute, Lee Grimshaw played a neat touch through for Sixsmith but the Darwen keeper was alert to the danger.

Minutes later, Jamie Baguley fired in a free-kick that had the home defence scrambling to clear.

It looked like being another frustrating afternoon in front of goal when Grimshaw laid off for Sixsmith to shoot, but the keeper blocked with his feet for a Heys corner.

Two more great chances came before the quarter-hour mark had been reached, Grimshaw seeing an effort palmed just behind Alfie Belcher, who would have had an open goal, and the Grimshaw was one-on-one after slipping the offside trap, but he curled his effort wide of the post.

After this great spell of Heys pressure, Darwen went close when a cross for Nicholas McNally sped across the face of goal.

Belcher then had the Darwen defence backpedaling with a neat chipped cross before Will Shawcross timed a run to perfection, drew the keeper, jinked the ball out of his reach but then got caught up under the ball before he could convert.

On twenty-seven minutes, Dom Butler, who had a great game at full-back, made a great interception and released Belcher, whose shot was saved.

The home side had another decent chance when a low ball caused confusion in the Heys area, but the visitors continued to dominate without scoring.

The sucker punch came four minutes from half-time a quick move by AFC Darwen down Heys’ left flank ended with Corey Harrison whipping in a low cross which Elliot Pond tucked into the bottom corner.

Gibson was then booked before Heys levelled, another clever touch from Grimshaw was diverted by an outstretched leg into Belcher’s path, who made no mistake.

AFC Darwen came out with the wind in their sails for the second half, and only a decent drive at goal from Max White broke up their domination.

That said, Mike Smith was not really tested and Heys eventually got back onto the front foot.

Shawcross was harshly booked when chasing down a long ball forward on fifty-five minutes, and Grimshaw went close after pouncing on a loose pass.

McNally looked like he would restore the Darwen lead, but he blazed over, though the offside flag had also been raised.

Midway through the half, a free-kick from Baguley was glanced onto the bar by Grimshaw, and then White found the outside of the post with a shot at goal.

The turning point of the game came shortly afterwards following a fine save to deprive a Grimshaw header.

As the teams waited for the dead ball, full-back Tony Hodges slapped Grimshaw and was sent off.

Within minutes, the Heys striker steered a header inside the far post to give Prestwich the lead.

Shawcross then showed all his skill and trickery in getting a superb cross in that begged to be converted.

With ten minutes left, Grimshaw was again thwarted by Jordan Groley before Rio Wilson-Heyes and Liam Healey replaced Belcher and Sixsmith.

Leon Creech gave warning that the home side were not finished when he forced a great save from Smith before Pond finished off a fine move to score his second of the afternoon, and send home supporters delirious.

Grimshaw saw another shot saved and it looked like Heys would have to settle for a point.

In the eighth minute of added-time, substitute Chris Baguley, who had replaced the injured Max White, played a fine corner in which Jacob Holt headed powerfully home to snatch victory.

The win was testament to Heys never-say-die attitude and team spirit, and sets the lads up for the long trip to Holker in great spirit.

Heys Line-up: Mike Smith, Dom Butler, Carl Fitton, Max White, Sven Gibson, Jacob Holt, Alfie Belcher, Brad Sixsmith, Lee Grimshaw, Jamie Baguley, Will Shawcross. Subs: Rio Wilson-Heyes (for Belcher), Liam Healey (for Sixsmith), Chris Baguley (for White)