A 25th minute Justin Pickering goal gave Heys victory over Premier Division 1874 Northwich in an absorbing FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round tie at Adie Moran Park.

The visitors will wonder how they lost. They dominated possession and created multiple chances. The fact that they did not succeed was down to a magnificent defensive display by Heys.

True, they rode their luck, particularly in the early stages when the woodwork twice came to their rescue, but their ceaseless endeavour and defensive discipline never wavered.

As it was, on a day when a host of experienced regulars were missing - the likes of the White brothers, Jake Wood, Mark Ayres, Dom Slaven and Shelton Payne - the younger members of the Heys squad stood as one to pull off a superb win.

It would be harsh to single out individuals but there were some notable performances. Goalkeeper Russ Saunders was like a magnet, always seemingly in the right place who along with Adrian Bellamy, a rock in the heart of the defence, directed, cajoled and gave a calm reassurance to those around them.

1874 reached the semi-finals of the competition two seasons ago and have made a great start to this season. Third in the NW Counties Premier Division and through two rounds of the FA Cup, averaging three goals a game, they arrived brimming with confidence.

Their early pace and movement threatened to blow Heys away. In only the 3rd minute Lee Knight cut into the box and unleashed a shot that beat Saunders all ends up, before coming off the underside of the bar, onto the post and then out.

Scott McGowan then twice went close before then seeing the woodwork rescue Heys again in the 15th minute as his shot came off the inside of the post.

Saunders then denied McGowan again, dropping low to save, after a lightning break out of defence from a Heys corner.

Indeed, Heys were showing signs of settling to their task, having weathered the early storm, Rio Wilson -Heyes went close, poking wide from close range as Northwich struggled to clear.

In the 25th minute Heys took the lead. From a throw in a great run by Wilson-Heyes, cutting in from the wing, saw him pick out Will Shawcross on the edge of the area who then teed the ball up nicely for Pickering to sweetly steer the ball low into the bottom corner.

1874 continued to enjoy the majority of the possession but with Heys set in their shape, their earlier freedom was stifled.

Indeed, on the break, Heys looked a threat and just before the interval Wilson-Heyes seized on a loose ball and put in a dipping shot, from 20 yards, that just cleared the bar.

The second half followed a similar pattern. The visitors pressing and probing, pushing Heys back. A strong cross field run by Lee Jackson saw his 20-yard shot tipped over by Saunders in the 54th minute.

On the hour McGowan burst into the box but Saunders was equal to the task again, dropping to block the shot at the foot of the post.

With Northwich pushing more resources forward, Heys were an increasing threat on the counter. With greater composure, they might have put the game beyond their opponents.

That they didn’t, kept the game on a knife edge. McGowan shot across the face of goal and Saunders scrambled a deflected clearance by Bellamy round the post.

From front to back, Heys continued to chase, close and harry. When a player was pulled out of position and a space appeared, a teammate was soon on the scene to cover.

Increasingly beleaguered, Northwich’s play began to become untidy, illustrated in the 84th minute when goalkeeper Tony Aghayere cleared straight to Haydn Foulds. Unfortunately, the striker was not able to get enough purchase on his shot and the stopper was able to recover.

A nervous finale ensued with Northwich, increasingly exasperated, throwing everything forward. However, with each passing minute, Heys resilience grew ever stronger and a famous victory was theirs.

Team: Russell Saunders, Darius Photiou, Jacob Holt, Brad Sixsmith, Adrian Bellamy, Kieron Sherlock, James Wolfenden, Will Shawcross, Rio Wilson-Heyes, Jordan Pendlebury, Justin Pickering Subs: Jamie Sinnott (for Pickering 75mins), Haydn Foulds (for Shawcross 65 mins), Dom Slaven, Danny Vincent, Mark Ayres