Heys beaten at AFC Liverpool

Heys promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they suffered their first defeat of 2020 in losing 3-0 at AFC Liverpool last Wednesday night.

The score line was harsh on Heys who played some great football and enjoyed good periods of control in the game but they were undone by some clinical finishing by the hosts, who are the highest scorers in the division.

As Coach Mark Dickinson said afterwards “I can’t question the effort from the lads, they were brave to get on the ball and play, built from the back and played through the thirds, pressed well collectively and worked hard. It’s a difficult one to swallow but the opposition were ruthless in front of goal, football is a cruel game sometimes”

The early stages of the game were tight as both sides treated each other with caution. However, the hosts then sprang into life to take the lead through Callum Scorah in the 11th minute, the prolific striker netting from close range.

Heys however, went on to enjoy the better of things in the remainder of the half, stretching play across the park with Will Shawcross and Jamie Hill a threat.

In the 21st minute there was a great chance for Brad Sixsmith, but his effort was well saved by the home keeper, Lee Carr.

From the ensuing corner, a training ground move, saw Dale snatch at the ball and clear the crossbar.

Heys continued to threaten without being able to find the decisive touch. On the stroke of half time they almost found themselves two goals down when Dan Cockerline tested Heys debutant keeper Adam Stevens, brought in after an injury to Russell Saunders, who could be out for upto eight weeks.

The second period started with Heys looking lively in attack. Man Of the Match Zack Dale (pictured) went on a trade mark dribble in the 50th minute, keeping possession well before seeing a shot blocked

Shawcross then dinked a neat ball into Sixsmith, who controlled with his head before twisting to get a shot in, which was saved low by Carr.
As in the first half though, Liverpool sprang into attacking action and on the hour increased their lead to leave Heys up against it. Cockerline worked space for himself and then rifled an angled shot past Stevens into the net.

Despite threatening and creating chances Heys hopes of a comeback were dispelled in the 77th minute when Rhys Hardacre added a third goal for AFC Liverpool. Picking the ball up out wide, Hardacre, made a tricky run into the centre before delivering a superb finish.

Heys frustrations saw Adrian Bellamy sinbinned shortly after, reducing them to ten men and the hosts might have increased their lead in the closing stages.

Cockerline twice went close, first he headed low, but too close to Stevens who managed to block before moments later following up with another angled strike, that was pushed wide by the Heys stopper.

It leaves Heys with much to do if they are clinch a promotion place. They are eleven points off fourth placed Shelley on whom they have two games in hand.

However, Manager Matt Barnes remained positive afterwards saying “I was proud of my Lads tonight. They didn't deserve to lose 3-0 at all having most of the play and playing some great footy against a decent AFC Liverpool side. Some team is in for an absolute hammering soon”

TEAM: Adam Stevens, Danny Vinten, Nathan Emery, James Dwyer, Adrian Bellamy, Jacob Holt (Capt), Zack Dale, Joe Rothwell, Will Shawcross, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Hill Subs; Dominik Williams, Greg Wills (for Rothwell 65 mins), Rees Welsh (for Vinten 65 mins), Jamie Sinnott (for Dwyer 77 mins), Logan Holroyd