There are only three weeks, and four games left of the season now and the relegation battle in the NW Counties Premier Division looks set to go to the wire.

Heys crucial 3-1 win at Colne last Saturday was much needed. A defeat would have left them with much to do but they enter tomorrow’s home game with Ramsbottom United out of the relegation zone, albeit on goal difference from Colne. To ensure that remains the case they must match or better Colne’s results over the last four games.

Tomorrow’s match represents a tough hurdle to overcome against a Ramsbottom side who are on a four-game winning run. Whilst assured of a play-off place, they still need six points from their last four matches to guarantee a home tie when the time comes.

After an 18th placed finish last season, Rammy didn’t figure on many people’s lists at the start of the season as promotion challengers, but some astute transfer business by their Manager Steve Wilkes has transformed them into a side that have led the League at various stages of the season. They are a side packed with goals, with 22 goal top scorer, Tom Hoyle one of four players to have reached double figures.

Heys have gone about their business steadily, if a little inconsistently of late and they will hope the late goals conceded in recent matches against Pilkington and FC Isle of Man, that turned victories into draws, will not come back to haunt them in the final analysis. However, there was an intensity and determination to their display at Colne last week that suggested that they are up for the fight as they look to preserve their Premier Division status.

This will be the third meeting of the season between the clubs. In the League, Ramsbottom secured a 2-1 win at the Riverside in September, whilst in the Macron Cup they ran out 5-0 winners at Adie Moran Park, against a youthful Heys, in December.

There is much at stake for both teams tomorrow. For Heys, ten points off safety at the turn of the year, their destiny in their own hands now. They must look to carry on and build on last week’s efforts tomorrow if they are to keep on track and achieve safety.

MATCH INFORMATION

Ground: Adie Moran Park, Sandgate Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6NT

Telephone: 0161 773 8888 (match days only)

Licensed bar in the clubhouse serving hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food/snacks and equipped with televisions and seating for around sixty people. Gents and Ladies WC's are also located in the clubhouse. An additional serving hatch is available adjacent to the Seated Stand.

We have a covered standing area for approx 150 people and covered seating for 100.

There's free on-site parking for around 150 cars on the front and down the length of the motorway side of the ground. Please do not park on Sandgate Road or surrounding streets.

Hard standing around the entire pitch.

Pyrotechnics are banned. This includes Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs. Anyone carrying pyrotechnics will be subject to a Football Banning order.

Supporters are also reminded that is an offence to enter the Playing Area and doing so can result in a Banning order.

The Club does not allow Dogs into the ground. The only exception to this rule is for Disability Support Dogs.

Please note out of consideration to our neighbours Drums and other Musical Instruments are banned from the ground. Visiting supporters are asked to also refrain from placing flags on the Clubhouse / Seated stand side of the ground.

Other than the match itself no ball games are allowed in the ground. Please do not bring your own Footballs.

2024/25 Admission Prices: Adults £7, Concessions £4 (over 65's and students with valid student card), Under 16 's and under FREE.

Programme Price: £2.00

Directions: M60 to junction 17 head towards Whitefield, take first right into Clyde Avenue and continue over the traffic lights onto Thatch Leach Lane, turn right at the Frigate Public House, go over the motorway bridge, the ground is on the left.

Nearest Railway: Besses O`Barn Metrolink Station, Bury Old Road. Turn right out of station and follow directions as above.

Nearest Bus Route to Ground: 135 from Manchester to Bury Route, alight at Besses o Barn and follow directions as above.
94 from Bury stops on Sandgate Road
Services 95 and 97 stop nearby with variable walks, please check https://tfgm.com/plan-a-journey/schedules/bus-timetables