Heys triumph at Penistone in FA Cup

By Rick Barrett

A seventy seventh minute strike from Tyler James was enough to give Prestwich Heys an impressive away win in the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Parker Roofing Memorial Ground, home of Penistone Church on Saturday.

Penistone of the North East Counties Premier League came into this one unbeaten this season while Heys were looking for a response after a 5-2 thumping at home to Wythenshawe the previous Tuesday and would have been glad of the diversion from league football with a chance to progress in the cup.

After the said defeat Heys managers Lee O'Brien and James Hampson made full back Nathan Emery Captain in the absence of the injured Aaron Chalmers and made four changes, bringing in Nathan Bartram-Conway, Darcy O'Connor, Kyle Jacobs and Malachi Slaven and the visitors started brightly. Striker Jack Coop shot from eight yards out, but his effort was parried by Penistone keeper Harry Ambler, but fellow striker Tyler James could not follow up.

It was James again shortly after with another shot cleared by Ambler as Prestwich continued to drive forward, Penistone's first chance was on twenty-one minutes when James Stafford headed over the bar.

Heys pressure told on twenty-eight minutes when a ball in from James found midfielder Malachi Slaven at the near post who smashed it past Ambler from six yards to put the visitors into a deserved lead.

Back came the home side trying to get a foot hold in the game and it was Leon Hurles Brook bringing a save out of Heys keeper Jordan Hadlow but as they tried to press Heys upped a gear. Next it was Matt Davies on thirty seven minutes bringing a save from Ambler and shortly before half time Coop was unlucky not to get on the end of a dangerous cross into the box.

As the teams went in for the half time break Penistone knew they would need to do much more if they wanted to get anything out of this game and whilst coming out of the blocks quickly it was Heys who threatened with defender Regan Brown heading over the bar on fifty one minutes followed by Coop sticking the ball in the net shortly after but the referee ruled he was offside.

Matt Davies, who was a nuisance for the home defence all afternoon, was next with a twenty-five-yard drive on the hour but saw his shot go wide and as the wind got up full back Brad Sixsmith knocked a great ball into the box for Tyler James whose shot went agonisingly wide.

This was all one-way traffic now with Heys dominating every department with the impressive Kyle Jacobs pulling all the strings. Coop again on seventy-two minutes, who did everything but score, brought another save from Ambler before the pressure finally told five minutes later.

Davies on the right found James and he smashed it into the bottom right, with Penistone keeper Ambler, having no chance to the delight of the travelling support.

Penistone tried to respond with Cameron Simpson firing over the bar from twenty yards, but Prestwich were standing tall here. Kaiden Barlow replaced Coop and got straight into the action laying the ball off for fellow sub Kayle Power who fired over the bar and Barlow himself then hit a free kick over the bar before the referee blew for full time.

This was an impressive display by Heys, so much so the home fans applauded them off the pitch at the end. This was a massive response from the previous game and if they can take this form into the League, it could be a very interesting season. But, for now, they can look forward to playing in the First qualifying round in the FA Cup after this thoroughly deserved victory.

TEAM: Jordan Hadlow, Brad Sixsmith, Nathan Emery (Capt.), Regan Brown, Kyle Jacobs, Nathan Bartram-Conway, Darcy O’Connor, Malachi Slaven, Jack Coop, Matt Davies, Tyler James Subs: Saidkhon Khamidov, Kayle Power (for James78 mins), Jerome Wright, Isaac Lee (for Slaven 87 mins), Kaiden Barlow (for Coop 72 mins), Akim Samms