On a wet afternoon the sides produced some great football to produce an entertaining tussle that could have gone either way.
Heys had the better of the first half and led 2-1 at the interval courtesy of a Danny White penalty and a superbly taken, if rare, goal from Danny Vincent.

However, Radcliffe levelled on the hour as they took the initiative and looked likely winners before a strong finish from Heys almost saw them claim victory.

Overall, though there were a great many positives to take from the game for Heys Manager Jon Lyons. With the new season kicking off next Saturday, his side looked lively and energetic, playing at a good tempo that often troubled their near neighbours who will compete in the Bet Victor Northern Premier League Premier Division next season. There were no signs of a three Division gulf between the sides here.

With the rain falling heavily, it was Radcliffe who started the brighter, but Ben Wharton’s shot was comfortably gathered by Heys ’keeper Russell Saunders.

However, Heys were soon into their stride and their slick passing soon began to stretch the Radcliffe defence.

The energy of Brad Sixsmith and James Wolfenden, working around the promptings of Danny White provided the fulcrum for Heys to press forward and their pressure told in the 20th minute.

Will Shawcross was upended as he broke into the box to give the referee a straightforward penalty decision and Danny White slotted home from the spot.

Heys continued to hold the upper hand but their hard work was undone on the half hour. From a corner Heys were caught out when a well worked corner from Scott Metcalfe found Rick Smith at the front post who stroked home from close range.

Undeterred, Heys almost levelled straight from the kick-off as Haydn Foulds and Wolfenden combined with the latter then denied by a smart close range save by Oliie Martin.

Rio Wilson-Heyes, giving the Radcliffe defence a hard time, then cut inside but he fired straight at Martin.

The visitors then very nearly took the lead through Elliot Rokka, his curled effort looked to be set for goal, but it clipped the top of the Heys crossbar.

However, the momentum remained with Heys, Sixsmith was thwarted by Martin at close range before in the 40th minute they regained the lead.

Neat footwork by Foulds picked out Danny Vincent, surging down the left, and the full back showed great composure to break into the box and steer a low shot past Martin, into the far corner.

Radcliffe started the second half the stronger with Elliot Rokka forcing a good save from Saunders.

Indeed, Heys were finding it difficult to get forward and Radcliffe’s pressure told on the hour as Matthew Wolfenden picked out Danny Mitchley who steered home from close range.

With the visitors in control, they almost took the lead in the 70th minute but Saunders saved superbly at close range from Scott Metcalfe.

Amidst a raft of substitutions, Heys boss Lyons introduced Dom Slaven into his first action of pre-season and his presence had a galvanising effect on his side as they started to gain a foothold back in the game.

With five minutes remaining some great footwork from Daniel Greene created a chance for Sixsmith but his shot dipped just over as honours ended even at the end of a stirring contest.