ABBEY HEY 2 PRESTWICH HEYS 1
TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2025 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:158
Report by Rick Barrett

A goal from former Heys man Michael Burke on the stroke of half time was enough to give struggling Abbey Hey a shock 2-1 win against Prestwich Heys at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heys were on an impressive run of one defeat in their last ten games in all competitions whilst Abbey Hey were without a win in the league since 25th August.

Heys made three changes from Saturdays 9-1 thrashing of Maltby Main in the FA Vase bringing back Louis Holt, Josh Tinker and Takura Sambizi as they looked to continue a run that had pushed them up to 14th in the table.

It was the hosts who were quick out of the blocks in the second minute with a cross cleared out by Heys James Badrock, and the visitors first chance was on eight minutes when a Rob Worrall free kick was saved by Abbey keeper Connor Beard.

Warning signs for Heys came in the fifteenth minute when the hosts had the ball in the net, but the linesman's flag was up for offside. Back came Prestwich with shots from Tinker and Sambizi but whilst Heys were enjoying more possession, the hosts were out muscling them, being first to every 50/50 challenge.

The deadlock was broken on thirty-seven minutes when a good move down the right found Hartley Barrett who blasted a shot, bottom left, from twelve yards past keeper Lee White to put the home side 1-0 up.

Worse was to follow for Prestwich on the stroke of half time when Burke got in on the act, firing low past White from eight yards for Abbey’s second goal and suddenly Saturday's FA Vase heroics were a distant memory with Heys being second best in the first half and with it all to do.

Assistant Manager Chris Lowe made two changes at half time bringing on Alfie Belcher and Dre Taylor to replace Holt and Tinker and it was Belcher straight into the action finding the back of the net just after the break, but referee Titus Tressider ruled offside.

Heys were trying to get a grip of midfield but were finding it tough going and the hosts were keeping White in the Heys goal busy with a couple of shots just before the hour mark.

In the seventieth minute home full back Harry Redknapp was given a ten-minute sin bin for dissent after the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box from which Belcher brought a save out of Abbey keeper Beard.

Controversy followed five minutes later when Sambizi broke through on the left for Prestwich and although caught by the Abbey defender he carried on but as he cut inside referee Tressider pulled play back for a free kick rather than playing advantage, much to the anger of the travelling Heys support.

Heys rallied in the final quarter and finally looked like the team that had impressed so well in recent weeks and were rewarded four minutes from time with a goal.
Again, it was Sambizi who broke through, but he was brought down just inside the box and awarded a penalty, which he promptly smashed past keeper Beard for 2-1 and one thought a potential grandstand finish was on the cards.

However, despite five minutes injury time awarded it was the last action of the night as the final whistle was blown shortly after.

So, a disappointing night for Heys with the damage being done in the first half where they were out fought by a spirited Abbey Hey team. Credit is due though as they battled back hard after the break, but their winning run came to an end and they now need to regroup for another tough game on Saturday where they visit league leaders Padiham, ko 3pm.

TEAM: Lee White, Joseph Camozzi, Luke Findlow, James Badrock, David Badrock, Joshua Tinker, Bryson Appleton, Robert Worrall, Louis Holt, Luke Byron, Takura Sambizi Subs: Alfie Belcher (for Holt 45 mins), Mworina Doro (for Appleton 77 mins), Nicholas Dre Taylor (for Tinker 45 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for 85 Mins), Louie Hutchinson (for Findlow 77 mins)