Shawcross double sparks Heys victory at St. Helens

By Rick Barrett

A 63rd minute strike from returning centre forward Jack Coop sealed victory for Matt Barnes’ Prestwich Heys side at Ruskin Road, St Helens on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the weather hampering progress in recent weeks Heys came into this one with just two defeats in their last 10 games in the league and were looking to carry on this form against a struggling St Helens side.

in a tight opening quarter, it was Heys with the first chance on 9 minutes as winger Jamie Hill ran down the left, cut inside, but saw his shot go into the side netting.

Heys continued to press in the 15th minute as Will Shawcross ran into the box beating two defenders but saw his shot blocked by St Helens keeper Danny Hamlett who then also saved a follow up shot from Jack Coop

Shawcross was in a menacing mood and reward came on 24 minutes when Shawcross hit a shot 20 yards out and it flew top left past Hamlett into the net to put the visitors in front.

Back came St Helens who were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes when number 11 Gedeao Varelo was tripped just inside the box by Heys centre half Adrian Bellamy and Hal McHugh converted the spot kick.

Both teams were battling in the middle of the park, with the wind increasing as the half went on, but Heys pressed and were rewarded on 41 minutes. Again it was the terrier Will Shawcross who got the ball 25 yards out took a nice touch to control the ball and then launched a rasping shot into the top right-hand corner leaving Danny Hamlett with no chance.

So, the away side 2-1 up at the break but knowing concentration was needed as St Helens were capable of a response in the second half.

Heys were knocking the ball around well in the second half but had to err on the side of caution as striker Jack Coop was sin binned for 10 minutes for something said to the referee.

St Helens keeper Danny Hamlett was called into action on 55 minutes making a great save from a shot by Brad Sixsmith from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The points were secured for Heys in the 63rd minute when a delightful 40-yard pass from left to right from the inventive James Dwyer found Jack Coop on the right who with his first touch smashed it past Haslett from 12 yards and showing the strikers instinct and the reason manager Matt Barnes brought him back from Maine Road earlier in the week.

Heys were now in full flow and the last 20 minutes saw some lovely passing and movement play Jamie Hill lively down the left had a shot just over the bar and Coop also turning provider down the right passing to substitute Joe Rothwell who also fired over from the edge of the box.

As the final whistle approached in injury time Will Shawcross almost grabbed his hattrick but when cutting inside after a run down the right but has shot went agonisingly wide.

So, the game ended to a standing ovation from the travelling Heys fans after another impressive display especially the second half and Heys now move up to 6th.
On Saturday, Heys travel over the Pennines to face second placed Emley (3pm) before returning home to host Bacup Borough next Tuesday night (7.45pm).