A 12th minute Alfie Belcher goal gave Heys victory over FC United of Manchester on Tuesday night.

However, the scoreline does not reflect the events of a wet evening at Adie Moran Park. Heys completely dominated this game from start to finish and the winning margin could and should have been much larger.

The visitors fielded a youthful side, consisting largely of their Under 21’s squad. However, this should not detract from the result. Amongst Heys squad there were half a dozen players in the same age group. The experience that has been added to the home group undoubtedly played its part though in an excellent performance, bristling with energy and fine football.

Heys set out their stall from the start with Bryson Appleton going close before the early pressure told in the 12th minute. The Heys wide man was this time the provider as he broke into the box before rolling the ball back into the path of Belcher, who rifled it into the bottom corner.

With the visitors attempts to gain a foothold in the game thwarted by the home rearguard, Heys looked to add to their tally with Michael Burke seeing a shot saved at the foot of the post.

A misplaced clearance was the biggest threat to Heys in the opening period which ended with Belcher seeing a shot, set for the bottom corner, blocked before the follow up effort by a Trialist came off the foot of the post.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Heys lay siege to the FC United goal. A great save by the keeper denied Badrock, three shots were blocked in the ensuing scramble and then moments later a penalty appeal for handball was turned down.

Either side of the hour Takura Sambizi first saw a shot saved superbly and then after beating the keeper another drift just wide of the post. A Trialist fired wide shortly after as Heys continued to dominate.

In the 77th minute, Connor Martin poked a shot wide and then shortly after Lee Grimshaw was denied by another stunning save.

The visitor’s keeper continued to excel, saving at the feet of Martin after a great through ball from Max White. When the stopper was beaten shortly after, Grimshaw’s effort was cleared off the line.

In the closing moments Martin was denied at close range by another fine save. And so, the early goal proved the difference on the scoreboard on the night. That could be the only complaint the Heys camp could have, that the win wasn’t more emphatic in another wise terrific performance.