PRESTWICH HEYS 5 FC ISLE OF MAN 0
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2025 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:147
Report by Paul Thomason
Pictures by Bethany Lee

Clinical finishing proved the difference as Prestwich Heys swept aside FC Isle of Man with a five-goal display – their biggest league win in seven years.

The visitors, however, started the brighter. Inside two minutes Callum Sherry met a corner with a firm header that flashed just wide. But it was Heys who struck first. On seven minutes, a neat move found Alfie Belcher in the box; he created a yard of space and drilled a low effort to the far corner, the ball kissing the inside of the post on its way in. It was Belcher’s first league goal of the campaign, adding to his four already netted in the FA Vase.

On a difficult pitch following persistent rain, the opening half-hour was evenly matched, with both sides carving out half chances. Lee White was called into action on 13 minutes, reacting sharply with his legs at the near post, and the Ravens threatened again on 22 minutes when Kyle Watson’s powerful run set up Dean Pinnington, who dragged his shot wide.

Pinnington looked lively again on 33 minutes, driving into the area before Alistair Bracken rose well to head clear. Isle of Man – a side steadily improving as the season progresses – continued to press and almost levelled two minutes before the interval. Joseph Middleton’s 20-yard strike forced White into a full-stretch save to preserve the lead.

But the Ravens were dealt a sucker punch right on half-time. A rapid Heys break saw slick interplay between Dre Taylor and Bryson Appleton. From the right side of the box, Appleton fired low and hard, his effort taking a big deflection off a defender before nestling in the net to double the advantage. It was a huge moment, and one that arrived slightly against the run of play.

The early stages of the second half were cagey with both teams cancelling each other out. That changed on 57 minutes when a spell of pinball in the Isle of Man area saw the ball loop up perfectly for captain James Badrock, who steered a clever header over Adam Killey from 12 yards to make it 3–0 and register his first goal of the season.

Heys were then dealt a setback as returning forward Luke Mann – brought on for Belcher on 65 minutes – saw red just moments later for a strong tackle in front of the away bench. The decision looked harsh, but if anything, it galvanised Prestwich.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Heys looked increasingly comfortable and struck again on 79 minutes. A loose back pass was pounced upon by Appleton, who kept his composure to round the keeper and slot home his second of the afternoon, aided by clever shielding from Takura Sambizi to ensure the ball crossed the line.

The scoring was rounded off seven minutes from time as the Ravens’ defence was sliced open. Two efforts were blocked before the loose ball fell invitingly for the returning Luke Byron, who smashed high into the roof of the net to complete the rout.

For a side that had scored just once in their previous five games before the midweek win at Litherland, this was a statement victory. Five goals, a clean sheet, and a clinical edge that had been missing in recent weeks – all of it combining for Heys’ biggest league triumph since a 6–0 win over Holker Old Boys almost exactly seven years to the day, back on 1 December 2018.

A sobering scoreline for FC Isle of Man, who were far from poor, but a powerful reminder that when Prestwich Heys create chances – and take them – they can be devastating.

TEAM: Lee White, David Badrock, Luke Findlow, James Badrock (Capt.), Alistair Bracken, Joshua Tinker, Bryson Appleton, Rob Worrall, Alfie Belcher, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Takura Sambizi, Subs: Joseph Camozzi (for Sambizi 85 mins), Louie Hutchinson (for Findlow 85 mins), Luke Byron, Luke Mann (for Belcher 85 mins), Jacob Ramplin (for Appleton 85 mins)