HANDSWORTH 0 PRESTWICH HEYS 2
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST 2026 EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND ATT:154

Report by Rick Barrett
Pictures by Bethany Lee -
more pics here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/91307207@N05/albums/72177720335045882/

The magic of the FA Cup came knocking for Prestwich Heys as substitute Bryson Appleton's strike twelve minutes from time secured a place in the Preliminary Round at the expense of Northern Counties East Premier Division side Handsworth FC, at the Express Worktops Stadium on Saturday.

Heys came into this one looking for their first win of the season after a 1-1 draw in the league against Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday. Manager Ryan Hutchinson, who was completing a three-game touch line ban here, freshened up the team giving starts to Abdul Djalo and Ellis Richardson.

Prestwich threatened early, with Lewis Ayres twice involved. In the fourth minute he brought a save from James Pollard in the Handsworth goal before a minute later scuffing his shot after great work by Luke Findlow down the left.

The visitors continued to press with Toby Green dangerous down the middle and captain James Badrock saw a header go wide of the far post on eighteen minutes.

After early dominance by Heys, Handsworth began to find a footing and on twenty-two minutes striker Rion Arbouin brought a save from keeper Kyle Haslam and the Prestwich keeper was called into action again a couple of minutes later saving from Ben Harriott. The hosts were now enjoying a good spell with Thomas McNally heading wide before the half hour mark.

Back came Prestwich though on thirty-three minutes, Rob Worrall knocking a great ball in, but neither Green nor Richardson could connect, with the ball ending up with Djalo, on the left, to fire in a shot, bringing a save from Pollard.

As the first half drew to a close Heys were now banging on the door. A big chance came on forty-two minutes for Nicholas Dre Taylor, but he fired at the keeper from six yards. Pollard was indeed busy as he made two more saves from Worrall and Djalo strikes before the break.

Goalless it was at half time then. Heys were in control, but Handsworth had given warning signs in bringing a couple of saves from Haslam and the visitors knew they would need to make their chances count after the interval if they were to progress further in this year’s FA Cup.

It was a quiet opening to the second half with the best chance going to the hosts on fifty-three minutes, Arbouin seeing his shot cleared off the line by Alistair Bracken.

Shortly after Heys brought on wide man Bryson Appleton, who was coming back into the side after illness, replacing Ayres.

Prestwich started to turn up the heat on the hosts and the deadlock was broken in sensational style on fifty-seven minutes when Worrall, on the left twenty-five yards out, took a touch and smashed a shot into the top right of the net, past a despairing Pollard, who had no chance, to the joy of the travelling support.

Worrall was at it again shortly after dragging a shot wide of the far post, and Ellis Richardson then saw a header go wide.

The visitors were now looking comfortable now, so it was no surprise on seventy-eight minutes that they went further ahead. A lovely ball in from the left found Appleton eight yards out who fired past Pollard and seemingly no way back for Handsworth.

Josh Tinker replaced Djalo on eighty-four minutes and nearly scored a minute after with a shot going just wide.

Heys saw out the game to progress to the next round and deservedly so after dominating this game for long periods with neat and tidy play, good possession and proving clinical when they needed to be. They will have to wait to see who their opponents are in the next round as Runcorn Town and Deare & District must replay after a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Prestwich return to league action with a trip to Abbey Hey next Saturday, and if they carry on this form that first league win of the season will not be far away.

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, Reece Lascelles-Higgins, Luke Findlow, James Badrock (Capt.), Alistair Bracken, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Toby Green, Rob Worrall, Ellis Ricahrdson, Abdul Djalo, Lewis Ayres Subs: Harry Cannon-Noren (for Lascelles-Higgins 67 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for Worrall 90 mins), Louie Hutchinson (for Findlow 80 mins), Bryson Appleton (for Ayres 54 mins), Louis Holt, Ruben Ndienguila, Josh Tinker (for Djalo 84 mins)