A missed first half penalty by Jack Coop resulting in a breakaway goal for Emley to go 2-0 up proved a hammer blow to Heys afternoon at the Media Welfare ground on Saturday.

Heys were looking for a response after a 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Northern Premier League side Bamber Bridge in the FA Lancashire Trophy Semi Final the previous Wednesday.

Matt Barnes’ team were the first into action with a shot from Jamie Hill, who was to be lively all afternoon, from 18 yards which was saved by Emley keeper George Clarke.

But, in response, Emley pressed hard and were soon rewarded on 8 minutes when a good cross, in from the left, found Robert Bordman unmarked to slot home from six yards past Heys keeper Adam Stevens.

Heys recovered well after this though and for the next 20 minutes or so were passing the ball well and on top of the midfield battle and winger Will Shawcross went close on 14 minutes with a shot saved by Clarke.

It was an incident packed couple of minutes on the 23-minute mark that changed the course of the game.

Recce Lyndon was brought down in the box for the away side and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Jack Coop, normally a cool customer with penalties, but he saw his shot saved by George Clarke diving to his left.

Emley were to break from the resumption of play catching Heys cold and the ball found James Eyles who made no mistake with his shot past Stephens to open a two-goal lead when Heys had been on top and could have been level.

Heys continued to press and on 38 minutes Coop tried to make amends bringing another save from the home keeper.

So, 2-0 at the break but the score line flattered the home side and the teams came out for the 2nd half with the wind notably much stronger than in the first half.

Heys were first out of the blocks with a 12 yard shot from James Dwyer saved by the home keeper and on the hour a lovely run down the left by Jamie Hill saw him cross into the middle but Jack Coop just couldn’t get a foot in to tap it home.

As the game was getting into a midfield scrap, in deteriorating and difficult conditions it was the simplest of goals on 66 minutes that put Emley three goals up. A corner from the left found an unmarked Andrew McManus who simply flicked the floating corner home with a header straight into the net.

Heys responded quickly and with a stunning goal as James Dwyer got the ball on the left, all of 30 yards out and against the wind launched a shot into the top right-hand corner of the net giving Emley keeper Clarke no chance.

Heys couldn’t build on this lifeline though and their fate was sealed on 84 minutes when Robert Bordman cut inside from the right and smashed an 18-yard shot bottom right past Stephens for his second of the afternoon, completing a victory for Emley.

So, a disappointing afternoon for Heys and proof in the North West Counties small margins mean everything.