WYTHENSHAWE 1 PRESTWICH HEYS 1

SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:467

Report by Paul Thomason

Prestwich Heys earned a valuable point on the road against a possession dominant Wythenshawe side, with the visitors’ pace on the counterattack proving a constant threat throughout. Takura Sambizi’s composed first half finish had Heys ahead before an unfortunate own goal denied them all three points.

The league leaders Wythenshawe began the match by controlling the ball, but it was Heys who immediately showed their danger in transition. After three minutes, Bryson Appleton burst forward from the right flank and struck over from 25 yards, setting the tone for Heys’ fast breaks.

Appleton was at the heart of the early attacking play, weaving past two defenders on the right after five minutes before lifting a cross to Louis Holt, whose header forced a save from Forde at the near post. Prestwich continued to threaten, with Holt sliding a pass to Dre Taylor, who cut inside but saw his shot deflected wide.

Despite long stretches without the ball, Heys’ direct, incisive attacks kept Wythenshawe unsettled. On twenty minutes, a powerful run from Luke Findlow through the centre opened space for Luke Byron, who found Appleton in a good position, though he fired over.

Prestwich’s deserved opener arrived on 31 minutes. Appleton flicked a loose clearance intelligently into the path of Takura Sambizi, who accelerated away from the backline and coolly slotted past the keeper to give Heys a 1–0 lead.

Heys could have extended the advantage shortly after when Appleton fed Holt on the right side of the box, but the striker’s effort went wide. Still, the visitors headed into the break with plenty of encouragement from an excellent counter attacking display, having soaked up pressure superbly and looked dangerous every time they broke forward, with more goals a real possibility.

On the restart, Heys came out quickly, with Appleton once again breaking through on the right before a strong save from Forde denied him.

Sambizi continued to cause problems on the left, cutting inside and trying to link with Holt and Taylor, but Wythenshawe gradually tightened their defensive structure and limited the space Heys had enjoyed earlier.

The Ammies rarely broke Heys back line down, but a moment of misfortune proved costly. In the 70th minute, a bouncing ball forward caused hesitation, and Joe Camozzi, attempting to clear first time, saw his volley fly into the corner of his own net, levelling the match at 1–1.

Even so, Prestwich responded well. Fifteen minutes from time, Sambizi again beat his man on the left and drove into the area, though his attempted pass to the waiting Alfie Belcher narrowly missed its target.

Wythenshawe struck the post shortly after, but Heys continued to defend bravely and looked for opportunities on the break. Deep into stoppage time, Holt had the final chance of the match, but his 25 yard effort drifted wide.
Prestwich Heys produced an organised, determined performance, balancing disciplined defending with real pace and threat on the counterattack. Their first half transitions were outstanding and could easily have produced a bigger lead.

Though an unlucky own goal denied them victory, Heys took a well earned point from a match where their game plan worked effectively and showcased the attacking quality of their front line.

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, Joe Camozzi, Luke Findlow, James Badrock, Josh Tinker, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Bryson Appleton, Luke Mann, Louis Holt, Luke Byron, Takura Sambizi, Subs: Rob Worrall, Lucas Bancroft (for Mann 82 mins), Louie Hutchinson, Alfie Belcher (for Appleton 73 mins), Jace Osborne