The Heys stopper was presented with a pair of Reusch Goalkeeping gloves by League Official Ian Williams prior to our game with Charnock Richard last Saturday.

Heys had the best defensive record in the Division in August and Russell, who joined us in the Summer, has played a huge part in that, both from the saves he makes to his organisational skills.

In announcing the award on their Website the League said" After a frenetic start to the Division One North season there were a number of stand-out candidates which gave the Awards section a lot to work on.

The North West Counties League Reusch Division One North Goalkeeper of the Month is awarded to Russell Saunders of Prestwich Heys.

Russell played seven games, conceding seven goals, keeping three clean sheets in August and has been in excellent form for the club as they have got off to a good start in D1N.

The club cite in their nomination that despite conceding four goals in the opening two games, Heys have gone on to concede only three in six games, starting with an impressive win over Ashton Town, and the rock sat behind a defence improving game after game was ‘keeper Russ Saunders, his alertness thwarting Ashton every time they had a sight of goal. At both Shelley and Chadderton, Russ was instrumental in taking four points, saving from close-range and later with a fine stretch to tip wide in Yorkshire, and showing his versatility at Chadderton with saves to his left and right, as well as a goal-bound shot with his feet at the near post to keep Heys in the game.

Clean sheets followed in Heys games against Atherton Laburnum Rovers and AFC Liverpool and then in their eye catching 1-0 FA Vase win over 1874 Northwich Russ kept Heys’ hopes alive with a number of close-range saves on a busy day for the Goalkeeper."

Our congratulations go to Russell.

The Player of the Month Award, for which Adrian Bellamy was our Nomination, was won by Dylan Glass of Ashton Town.