SHAWCROSS HAT-TRICK SEALS HEYS WIN IN THRILLER

Writes Rick Barrett

A 92nd minute free kick from Heys winger Will Shawcross sealed a 5-3 victory at JBV Park, the home of Cleator Moor Celtic on Saturday.

Heys came into this one looking for a return to form after a 4-1 defeat at Emley last time out and on a wet, blustery day things didn't go according to plan early on for Matt Barnes’ side.

After only seven minutes, a ball in from the left split the Heys defence and found Callum Birdsall, 12 yards out, who unmarked smashed it home past debutant Heys keeper Mackenzie Chapman.

Heys came back strongly however with a series of chances despite the home side being dangerous on the break throughout the first half.

Will Shawcross, looking lively down the right, cut inside to shoot wide on nine minutes and quickly followed it with a cross to James Dwyer, bringing a save out of Cleator keeper Tom Sharpe.

Heys continued to press and there was a big chance for centre half Adie Bellamy from a corner on 22 minutes, the ball falling to his feet six yards out, but he couldn't steer the ball past Sharpe.

It was Bellamy again at the heart of it on 37 minutes with a lovely cross field pass to Jamie Hill who's shot brought a save from Sharpe.

The home ‘keeper was called into action again shortly after with a wonderful save tipping over the bar from another Shawcross shot.

The waves of Heys pressure told on 40 minutes when a ball over from the left found Shawcross who unleashed a shot from 20 yards, top left, past Sharpe for the equaliser.

Heys were now hitting top gear and took the lead in bizzare fashion just two minutes later when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the centre circle.

Full back Nathan Emery spotted Sharpe off his line and launched a wind assisted shot that sailed over everyone and into the net to put Prestwich 2-1 up at the break.

Heys were straight back at it on the restart, pressing the home side hard and the third goal came on 53 minutes as Shawcross scored his second, firing in another shot from 20 yards which flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

With Dwyer and Rothwell pulling the strings in the middle and Shawcross and Hill on the flanks piling on the pressure with pace and power, Heys were playing some great stuff.

It was Hill down the left on the hour who put in a lovely cross to striker Jack Coop who brought another save from Sharpe in the Cleator Moor goal.

Despite the home side trying to get back into it Heys fourth goal of the afternoon arrived on 65 minutes when Shawcross played a lovely ball through the middle to Greg Wills who ran in and slotted neatly past Sharpe and one thought the points were safe for the visitors.

However, back came Cleator Moor and on 68 minutes a lovely 20-yard strike from Stuart Shaw flew in past Heys keeper Chapman.

Nine minutes later, a somewhat fortuitous strike from Ryan Hall hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and hit Chapman on the back and rolled into the net to make it 4-3 and set up a grandstand finish

The final thirteen minutes proved a frantic affair. On an increasingly heavy pitch, caused by rainfall throughout the afternoon, Heys started to look a bit leg weary but fought off the home pressure and a 2nd yellow card for Stuart Shaw saw the Cleator Moor Man sent off with a couple of minutes to go.

With the clock running down Heys got a free kick on the edge of the box in the 92nd minute and it was the man of the match, Will Shawcross who stepped up and blasted the ball bottom right past Sharpe to seal the victory.

There was still time for further late drama which saw the home side reduced to nine men after Callum Jackman was sin binned for dissent for the remaining 3 minutes.

Heys Manager Matt Barnes will be pleased overall with this display and despite conceding three goals his side were in control for long periods overall and the Heys fans who attended, this longest away trip of the season, travelled home with smiles on their faces.

Team: MacKenzie Chapman, Rees Welsh, Nathan Emery, Greg Wills, Adrian Bellamy, Jacob Holt (Capt.), Will Shawcross, Joe Rothwell, Jack Coop, James Dwyer, Jamie Hill, Subs: Francesco Frangillo (for Wills 68 mins), Logan Holroyd (for Hill 73 mins), Dominik Williams (for Emery 53 mins), Cory Knight, Daniel Wolstenholme