Match reportage by Rick Barrett

Alfie Belcher fired a hat-trick as Heys wrapped up their pre-season fixtures with an emphatic 5-0 win at Seaton Carew this afternoon.

On a wet afternoon on the Hartlepool Coast, Heys always held the upper hand against the Wearside Premier Division side after making a perfect start with a goal in the first minute. Joe Camozzi drove in a cross to the far post and Belcher was on hand to slot home.

Heys almost had a second in the 15th minute when Connor Martin broke forward but as he shaped to shoot, he lost his footing on the wet surface and his shot went wide.

The hosts looked to gain a foothold in the game and went close with a free kick by Lithgo which was well held by Heys trialist goalkeeper. Johnson and Linsel then combined to carve out another opening for Lithgo, but the Heys stopper was equal to the task once again.

Prestwich responded through Dre Taylor, who fired wide after a surging run and then David Badrock went close with a header before they added a second goal on the half hour.

A lovely move down the left saw Josh Tinker find Lee Grimshaw who knocked it into Belcher who made no mistake from six yards.

Grimshaw went close with a header before on the stroke of half time Heys scored their third goal when David Badrock fired home on the turn.

The opening of the second half proved a much tighter affair as the sides battled for control but it was Heys who seized the initiative on the hour when Belcher completed his hat-trick with a superb free kick, struck into the top right-hand corner.

In the continuing rain the tempo of the game dimmed a little with opportunities few and far between as the sides rotated personnel.

However, in the 85th minute, Heys rounded the afternoon off with a fifth goal when Dre Taylor capped off a fine afternoon’s work with a strong run down the middle before firing home.

A good afternoon’s work from Heys who turn their attention now to next Saturday’s opening league fixture at Euxton Villa.