PRESTWICH HEYS 2 LONGRIDGE TOWN 0
NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 26 ATT:136
Report by Stephen Howard
Pictures by Bethany Lee

Prestwich Heys made it five wins on the bounce with victory over Longridge Town at Adie Moran Park on Tuesday night.

In a hard fought game, played at a terrific pace, Heys overcame a difficult start to run out deserved winners as they controlled the game for long periods.

They took the lead through James Badrock in the 14th minute and might have added to their total. However, throughout the game the visitors carried a threat and it was not until Kamoy McNair’s 69th minute goal, that Heys could settle.

The opening exchanges belonged to Longridge who dominated possession, moving the ball around at pace and Kyle Haslam had to be alert, dropping low to keep out a Liam Atkinson shot in the 7th minute.

It was not until the ninth minute that Heys threatened. Bryson Appleton made a lightning break into the box and fired in a fierce shot that Longridge keeper Kai Crowe fumbled, with the ball dropping between his legs before being regathered. The home crowd cheered for a goal thinking the ball had crossed the line, but the linesman was unmoved.

The opportunity sparked Heys into life. Appleton had a shot held and then young full back Reece Lascelles-Higgins went on a great run from halfway before bringing another save from Crowe.

Heys were now playing some good stuff and in the 14th minute they went ahead. From a free kick, out on the left, the ball was curled into the box by Rob Worrall and James Badrock, running in on the angle, slotted home from six yards.

As Prestwich upped the ante Luke Findlow tried a shot from 25 yards but it was straight at the keeper. Worrall and Appleton then worked the ball down the right and when the latter picked out Takura Sambizi his first time shot was deflected wide.

Just after the half hour, it looked like Heys were finally set to increase their lead as Lascelles-Higgins made another great run down the right, before crossing for Sambizi, who, on the turn, saw his shot come off the inside of the post and out.

Successive attacks then saw Appleton fire over and then Sambizi put a low shot just wide.

Although Heys were largely in control, Longridge were still a threat on the counter, keeping the Heys defence on their toes, and the visitors almost levelled on the stroke of half time when an Aaron Hewitt shot,from distance, came off the underside of the bar and back out. A reminder that despite their lead and possession that the home side still had work to do.

Indeed, Longridge began the second period in similar style to the first. Paul Turner tested Haslam from the edge of the area in the 48th minute and then four minutes later missed a great opportunity as he broke into the box, rounded the Heys keeper, but then fired into the side netting.

Heys responded with a chance of their own in the 53rd minute. In an almost identical manner to their opening goal a Worrall free kick found James Badrock who guided the ball goalwards only for Crowe to scramble it wide. From the ensuing corner Sambizi fired just wide.

At this stage the outcome was firmly in the melting pot. On the hour Longridge broke quickly and it took a great save by Haslam to prevent Lucas Wane grabbing the equaliser.

Play soon switched to the other end, as the game continued to rattle along at pace, with Appleton waltzing into the box before firing wide.

It was clear Heys needed the second goal if they were to see this match through and in the 69th minute they gave themselves that breathing space. Some magic play by Appleton saw him somehow weave his way between two defenders before crossing for McNair, who took a touch before slotting home from six yards.

Heys went close to a third goal three minutes later when Luke Mann let fly from 25 yards with Crowe getting down well to push the ball round the post.

With their two goal cushion Heys nowlooked comfortable as they rang the changes, playing out the final quarter of an hour with five of their under 21 graduates on the field, to gain a deserved win.

Although Longridge started the stronger and carried a threat throughout Heys controlled the game for long periods and should maybe have scored more. Nonetheless it was another good performance from Ryan Hutchinson’s side bringing them a fifth win on the trot and making it seven games unbeaten.

Heys host City of Liverpool at Adie Moran Park on Saturday (3pm) before welcoming Irlam on Tuesday night (7.45pm)