BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 2 PRESTWICH HEYS 2

NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 2025 ATT:214

Report by Rick Barrett

In a frantic finish, a goal from Dre Taylor in the fifth minute of injury time secured a point for Prestwich Heys in a 2-2 draw at the Silent Night Stadium, home of Barnoldswick Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

Both teams were in confident mood after having wins in the FA Vase on Saturday, so it was all to play for on this sunny afternoon with Heys still looking for their first League win of the season.

It was the hosts though taking control early on, with Charlie Rowlands-Whiteoak firing over the bar on three minutes before shortly after Heys defender Jack Taylor went up for a challenge, ending up with a bloodied nose, although after treatment he was fine to continue.

On the restart, Barlick continued to have the upper hand, with Gareth Hill having a couple of runs that resulted in corners.

Heys made an early substitution on nineteen minutes with Dre Taylor replacing Alfie Belcher before the hosts took a deserved lead a minute later.

The visitors gave the ball away inside their own penalty area and from six yards out Hill's shot was parried by Heys keeper Lee White into the path of William Proctor to tap in the opening goal.

Prestwich were really struggling to get into it at this stage, looking very leggy, with only winger Bryson Appleton on the right looking lively as he knocked in a couple of crosses which were blocked and cleared with little movement from the forward line.

White made another save on thirty-eight minutes for the visitors but the half ended on a slightly more positive note for Heys as Rob Worrall fired a free kick over the bar and in the closing minute of the half Takura Sambizi did have the ball in the net, but referee Sam Oldfield had already pulled play back for a free kick.

So, Barlick went in a goal to the good at half time with Heys looking weary and needing to show a lot more in the second half if they were to get anything from this one, but history has shown they have a habit of coming back from losing positions on this ground and they needed more of the same here.

Manager Ryan Hutchinson introduced a couple of substitutes in Joe Camozzi and striker Connor Martin. However, it went from bad to worse as shortly after the break a corner on the left from Ethan Gough went straight into the net to double the home sides lead. It was not without controversy though as Heys keeper White appeared to be pushed over as the ball was in the air, but referee Oldfield allowed the goal to stand and then sin binned the keeper for ten minutes when he protested.

Full back Luke Findlow took over in goal for the short duration but this incident and being a man down seemed to kick Heys into gear.

Camozzi fired a shot in bringing a save from Barlick keeper Dale Latham, then Sambizi. on the left, beat of couple of challenges but couldn't get a cross in before on seventy-three minutes Appleton cut inside and brought another save from Latham.

Heys were piling on the pressure now and it was Appleton again at the heart of it two minutes later shooting, from twelve yards with Latham getting down to it again.

The pressure told on seventy-seven minutes as Appleton knocked in a peach of a ball, from the right to put Connor Martin through and he made no mistake firing low past Latham to pull a goal back. Could Heys pull off another comeback here?

Just as you thought Heys were about to turn things around the hosts responded. Sam Unwin fired one over the bar and then came a big chance to wrap it up on eighty-five minutes as Hill was presented with a free header, six yards out, but headed straight at White.

The referee added five minutes of injury time to give Heys hope but just as it looked like it would be a home win, Martin who had been busy since he came off the bench, produced a deft header, to find Dre Taylor running into the box and he hit a sweet shot past Latham for a deserved equalizer, to ecstatic scenes from the travelling Heys support.

The visitors almost won it at the death, with Appleton breaking through on the right but Barlick keeper Latham beat him to it before the referee blew for full time.

So, it was another great comeback here from Heys on a ground where they never know when they're beaten and today was no different. After a poor first half they showed battling qualities, and additionally quality finishing. something that has been a struggle for them in the previous four league games this season.

It is true to say though, they need to get that first league win on the board and the next opportunity will be against Cheadle Town at Adie Moran Park on Saturday 30th August kick off 3pm.

TEAM: Lee White. David Badrock, Luke Findlow, James Badrock, Jack Taylor, Joshua Tinker, Bryson Appleton, Robert Worrall, Mworina Doro, Alfie Belcher, Takura Sambizi Subs: Joseph Camozzi (for J Taylor 45 mins), Connor Martin (for Doro 45 mins), Louie Hutchinson (for J. Badrock 73 mins), Nicholas Dre Taylor (for Belcher 18 mins), Owen Percival (for Tinker 73 mins)