Heys Muddy Marvels hit five to sink Chaddy

By Stephen Howard

Heys kept themselves in the hunt for a play-off spot with a richly deserved 5-2 win over fellow promotion chasers Chadderton at a muddy Adie Moran Park on Thursday night.

With the visitors starting the game with a three-point advantage this was a must win game for Heys and they responded magnificently, overcoming going a goal down to score three times in fourteen minutes to lead at the break. In deteriorating conditions, the hosts added two more in the second half to secure a victory that lifted them back into the top five of the NW Counties Premier Division.

After a dry day, persistent rain fell in the hour before the game, making for a wet surface at kick off. However, the ball was moving freely and bouncing normally as the game opened at a cracking pace, with both defences being kept on their toes.

The first chance came Heys way in the ninth minute when Gabriel Mooney-Munoz broke into the box and fired a low shot that Chaddy ‘keeper Morgan Bacon, at full stretch, got fingertips to and pushed the ball wide of the post.

The frantic pace continued as the visitors looked to assert some control. Heys debutant keeper, James Coates had to be alert to keep out a header from Adam Dale in the 21stth minute and from the ensuing corner they took the lead. As the ball broke on edge of the area Sean Kgwangwa fired in a low shot, that took a deflection, to find its way into the bottom corner.

However, Heys response was immediate as they levelled matters through Dylan Fitzgerald. It was Keiron Molly who was the architect as he broke down the left before whipping in a cross for the former to peel of his marker and fire low into the bottom corner.

Four minutes later Heys were almost in again as Fitzgerald saw a shot blocked and Matt Davies, on the follow up, saw his effort pushed out for a corner. However, it was a temporary reprieve for the visitors as from the corner Heys took the lead. It was Molloy who was again the provider with his centre met by Jacob Ngoy at the near post with a header that gave Bacon no chance.

Maintaining momentum, Heys increased their lead in the 36th minute. Mooney-Munoz fed Davies on the left but there seemed little danger. However, he brushed aside his marker before breaking into the box and firing in a shot that beat the keeper at his near post.

Heys were in total control now and four minutes later, as Chaddy lost possession, Molloy and Fitzgerald combined but the latter’s shot was held low.

On the stroke of half time Heys almost had a fourth goal. From a corner, Aaron Chalmers headed on and as the ball broke in the box Davies’ shot looked set for the back of the net but was cleared to safety just short of the line.

Nonetheless, Heys could feel more than satisfied with their work at the break which was marked by a heavy downpour leaving some standing water patches on the pitch. However, the home team continued to go about their business, adapting to the conditions better and showing more desire than their opponents.

Within two minutes of the restart, they went further ahead. As Chaddy failed to clear their lines, the ball broke to Davies whose low shot skidded across the surface into the bottom corner to put his side into a commanding position.

Chadderton did look to respond and began to see more of the ball but any hopes they had of getting back into the game were ended in the 65th minute. Seizing possession in the centre circle, Davies powered through the middle of the park to pick out Molloy, breaking towards the penalty area, and the latter left defenders trailing before rifling home Heys fifth.

As rain continued to fall and conditions continued to deteriorate the worry for Heys was that the match might be abandoned. The game certainly became untidy, but Heys continued to manage the pitch the better as they used all five of their subs and Ngoy went close to his second in the 88th minute as he flashed a header wide following a corner.

However, it was Chadderton who were to score the final goal of the game in the 89th minute when a shot from the edge of the area was parried by Coates and as the ball came free Krisel
Prifti slotted home from close range.

The goal enabled the visitors to stay in fourth place in the table on goal difference, ahead of Heys by one goal, but there was no doubting the night belonged to the home side.

TEAM: James Coates, Jacob Ngoy, Jack McConnell, Pa Jenkins, Sam Olawumi, Aaron Chalmers (Capt.), Gabriel Mooney-Munoz, Kyle Jacobs, Dylan Fitzgerald, Matt Davies, Kieron Molloy Subs: Nathan Emery (for Molloy 73 mins), Rio Wilson-Heyes (for Jenkins 73 mins), Connor Brotherton (for Jacobs 45 mins), Bradley Sullivan (for Fitzgerald 62 mins), Connor Martin (for Mooney-Munoz 68 mins)