PRESTWICH HEYS 2-1 LITHERLAND REMYCA
SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2025 NWCOUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:214

Report by Paul Thomason
Pictures by Bethany Lee

Prestwich made it four wins on the bounce after grinding out a hard‑fought victory over a much‑improved Litherland REMYCA side at Adie Moran Park, with Matt Smyth striking late to extend the winning run.

It truly was a game of two halves. The first was a scrappy, stop‑start affair with very little goalmouth action, while the second opened up into an end‑to‑end battle.

The first meaningful effort didn’t arrive until the 16th minute, when Takura Sambizi whipped a cross to the near post for Kamoy McNair, whose shot was blocked behind for a corner. Play was halted on the half-hour mark after Josh Tinker took a boot to the head, forcing him to don the now-legendary “hero headband” before being replaced at half-time.

Prestwich dominated possession throughout the opening period, but a disciplined REMYCA defence gave them no room to operate. The next real chance came in first-half stoppage time when Litherland keeper Klearchos Filandras spilled Luke Findlow’s cross. The loose ball fell kindly for Dre Taylor, but his effort was bravely blocked.

Litherland’s best moment came seconds before the whistle when a long throw wasn’t dealt with, allowing Dilon O’Callaghan to shoot—but he fired over.

The second half sparked immediately into life. Within two minutes, Bryson Appleton drove into the box and found McNair, who got underneath his effort and sent it looping high. Four minutes later, a Rob Worrall free kick found the head of Smyth, whose effort dipped narrowly over the bar.

REMYCA should have taken the lead on 56 minutes when Alessandro Trapasso‑Tully drilled a low ball across the six-yard box—any touch would have turned it in—but no one could connect.

That miss proved costly just three minutes later. Half‑time substitute Luke Mann delivered from the touchline, and Sambizi rose superbly to guide a header into the far corner and put Heys ahead. It was no surprise Heys finally broke through given their second‑half dominance—though a goal from Sambizi’s head might raise an eyebrow!

Litherland remained dangerous, and O’Callaghan reminded the hosts of that threat five minutes later when he hit the side netting at the back post. The game swung back and forth, with Mann curling a shot just wide on 70 minutes and Trapasso‑Tully unable to get a clean strike away shortly after, allowing Haslam to gather comfortably.

Prestwich looked to have taken control—until the 84th minute. Litherland worked the ball neatly down the right and found O’Callaghan, who was afforded time to set himself before smashing a half‑volley beyond Haslam for the equaliser.

Heys, however, responded brilliantly. Just four minutes later, a quick free-kick released Appleton inside the right of the box. He lifted the ball to the far post for James Badrock, who calmly squared for Matt Smyth to tap home what may be the easiest goal he will ever score.

REMYCA weren’t done. In stoppage time they launched bodies forward, forcing a frantic scramble that saw three shots blocked before the ball was hacked clear. Deep into the ninth minute off added time, another melee ensued, but Haslam eventually clutched the ball and, moments later, the referee’s whistle brought huge relief to the home support.

Prestwich were far from their fluent best. Injuries forced them into a back three to start the game, though they reverted to a more familiar shape after the break, with Dre Taylor impressively slotting in at right-back—a position he previously played at Irlam. And despite their league position, this new-look Litherland side is a very different proposition compared to the team Prestwich faced in November. All the more credit, then, for Heys in grinding out a tough but deserved victory against a much stronger opponent.

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, James Badrock, Luke Findlow, Josh Tinker, Matthew Smyth, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Bryson Appleton, Rob Worrall, Louis Holt, Kamoy McNair, Takura Sambizi, Subs: Lucas Bancroft (for McNair 65 mins), Mworina Doro (for Appleton 95 mins), Louie Hutchinson (for Findlow 95 mins), Alistair Bracken (for Sambizi 90 mins), Luke Mann (for Tinker 45 mins)