Heys pay the penalty at Holker

By Rick Barrett

After five wins out of five in all competitions Heys came into this one against Holker Old Boys in confident mood.

Holker, a much-improved outfit this season, came into the game level on points with Heys in 5th and 6th places in the table separated only by goal difference, so a close game was on the cards.

And so, it proved. Both sides looked to get the upper hand in the early stages with Heys shading it by winning the majority of the 50/50 balls in the middle of the park.

The first real chance came their way when Jacob Holt made a surging run down the left, crossing deep into the box, but Jamie Sinnott could not connect to steer home.

It was Sinnott in the thick of it again on 19 minutes when a cross from the left found Rio Wilson Heyes on the edge of the box, who drove a shot which Holker keeper Samuel Stephens tipped over the bar.

Holker showed signs of getting into the game as the half went on and the warning signs were lit in the 26th minute when a free kick from the left was headed over the bar by Calum Baynes, eight yards out.

The remainder of the half was a midfield battle but a controversial moment occurred just before half time when Holker’s Brandon Collins chased a through ball and connected with Heys keeper Russell Saunders, who had parried the ball clearly out for a corner, but the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

After a couple of minutes delay the referee finally consulted his linesman who said the collision was accidental and so a corner was awarded.

So, goalless at the break and Heys were looking for that extra bit of quality in the second half to try and gain advantage with kicking down the slope.

Chances were few and far between but a free kick from Anthony Hall in the 54th minute was well held by Holker keeper Sam Stephens.

As the game progressed it was tighter than ever in a congested midfield, one of those games you could see one goal either way would win it.

So, it proved on the hour mark when Adrian Bellamy brought down the Holker centre forward and this time the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Samuel Joel duly converted the spot kick.

Heys tried to break down this stubborn Holker outfit and nearly got back on terms five minutes from time when a ball over from the left found the glancing head of Danny White (pictured) but the ball went agonisingly wide of the far post.

The final chance fell to Holker in the closing minute, catching Heys on the break as they chased an equaliser, the ball fell to Tom Dawson who was clean through, bearing down on Saunders goal, but somehow he put his shot wide with the goal gaping.

The one goal was enough and Heys shyness in front of goal came back to haunt them in this one, but one senses with the chances they are creating they will still be in the hunt at the end of the season if the goals start to flow.

Heys next game is a rearranged fixture next Saturday 23rd November when Daisy Hill are the visitors to Adie Moran Park ko 3pm.