RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3 PRESTWICH HEYS 0

TUESDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2025 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:245

Report by Rick Barrett
Pictures by Bethany Lee

A second half wonder strike from Harvey Whyte was enough to claim a 3-0 victory for Ramsbottom United against in form Prestwich Heys at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heys were in a confident mood going into this one having beaten league leaders Padiham 2-0 on Saturday, while hosts Ramsbottom were looking to make it seven wins in a row after beating Abbey Hey 3-0.

Unsurprisingly, Heys named an unchanged side, and they started the game confidently, Luke Byron firing one in as early as the fourth minute which Rammy keeper Bradley Rose saved easily, and he was called upon again shortly after to clear the ball from the on running Mo Doro.

Referee Kaan Hayes was at the centre of it all on nine minutes awarding the hosts a penalty when Finn Wallbank was brought down in the box, however the linesman called him over and after a consultation a corner was awarded. The drama wasn’t over as from the corner Jacob Holland Wilkinson headed onto the bar before the ball was cleared by the Heys defence.

Heys responded on seventeen minutes with Takura Sambizi firing a shot in from the left, eight yards out, which keeper Rose got down to save, and shortly after it was danger again from the visitors on the left as Louie Hutchinson crossed to find the head of Louis Holt, but his effort went over the bar.

The game at this point was quite even but it was Ramsbottom who broke the deadlock on twenty-six minutes. A ball in from the left was mishandled by Heys keeper Lee White and spun to Harvey Whyte who fired it straight back into the net from close range to put the hosts ahead.

Referee Hayes was the focal point again on twenty nine minutes, this time at the other end, waving away a big penalty appeal when Luke Byron was brought down in the box, much to the frustration of the travelling Heys fans and shortly after, it was Byron again, on the right, firing in just wide of the near post as Prestwich responded well to being a goal down.

A big moment in the game came shortly before half time when a great ball in from the left found the head of Holt who brought a terrific save from Rose, tipping it over the bar to keep the hosts in front.

A one goal lead to the hosts at the break then, but with very little between these two sides.

Heys were first to attack after the interval the ball being worked to the edge of the box where Holt just couldn't connect.

Ramsbottom responded on fifty-five minutes, as Holland Wilkinson got down the left before bringing a save from White, but at this point the game was becoming a bit scrappy in the heavy rain, developing into a midfield battle.

It was United though who raised it a level and they increased their lead on sixty-seven minutes when a ball in from the right saw Richard Baker nip in front of the Heys defence to fire past White from three yards.

From this moment Rammy never looked back and pressed Prestwich hard who by this time had little response. The hosts added to their tally on seventy-seven minutes when Heys failed to clear the ball and when it fell to Whyte, he fired a terrific volley from twelve yards giving White in the Heys goal no chance.

Heys only shot on target in the second half was a Luke Byron effort two minutes from time which was easily saved by Rose and after just three minutes of injury time referee Hayes blew for full time and a win for Ramsbottom which temporarily put them top of the North West Counties League table.

So, a disappointing defeat in the end for Heys who couldn't repeat their first half endeavours after the break with the hosts running out deserved winners. However, they have an early chance to put this right as they play Ramsbottom again in the home fixture at Adie Moran Park this Saturday ko 3pm.

TEAM: Lee White, Joe Camozzi, Louie Hutchinson, James Badrock, David Badrock, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Mworina Doro, Robert Worrall, Louis Holt, Luke Byron, Takura Sambizi, Subs: Joshua Tinker (71 mins), Alfie Belcher (for Doro 56 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for Hutchinson 75 mins), Jace Osborne (75 mins), Luke Findlow