PRESTWICH HEYS 2 GLOSSOP NORTH END 0
TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:250
Report by Paul Thomason
Pictures by Bethany Lee more pictures here - https://flickr.com/photos/91307207@N05/albums/72177720335210258/

Prestwich Heys claimed their first league victory of the season with a deserved 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Glossop North End, thanks to a stunning strike from Reece Higgins and a coolly taken penalty from Toby Green. Both players opened their accounts for the club as Heys produced an excellent all-round performance to take all three points.

Glossop arrived at Adie Moran Park unbeaten in the league and yet to concede a goal. However, despite their impressive start to the campaign, recent defeats in both the FA Cup and FA Vase had dented their momentum, and it was Heys who made the brighter start.
The hosts fashioned the first opportunity after just three minutes when James Badrock met a corner but headed narrowly wide. Both sides soon settled into the contest, although the early chances continued to fall the way of Prestwich.

After 17 minutes, Abdul Djalo delivered a teasing cross from the left that flashed across the face of goal, just beyond the reach of Ellis Richardson at the far post. Only a matter of inches prevented Heys from taking the lead. Richardson went even closer moments later, producing a brilliant run from a tight angle before firing towards the near post. Glossop goalkeeper Oliver Martin made an excellent save, with the ball then striking the post before rebounding kindly back into his arms.

The visitors created their first clear opening on 27 minutes when a free-kick found Oliver Kvaternik six yards from goal, but Austyn Hall, making his first appearance of the season, produced a superb save to keep the scores level. Hall was called into action again three minutes later after Djalo was dispossessed inside the Glossop half, allowing Ethan Sutcliffe to break through on goal. The Heys goalkeeper once again stood firm with another important stop.

Prestwich responded well and nearly broke the deadlock ten minutes before the interval. Dre Taylor picked out Toby Green on the right, and the forward unleashed a powerful low drive from 25 yards that flashed just wide of the far post.

As the match appeared destined to reach half-time goalless, Heys struck in spectacular fashion. Green found Reece Higgins on the right-hand side, some 28 yards from goal, and the right-back rifled a low effort towards the far corner. The ball clipped the inside of the post before nestling in the net, a stunning first senior goal from Higgins that sent the hosts into the break with a deserved lead.

Heys began the second half positively, although Kvaternik tested Hall from distance six minutes after the restart, with the goalkeeper gathering comfortably. Richardson then battled hard to win a header from a Luke Findlow cross, but his effort drifted over the bar.

The contest developed into a physical battle, with both teams working tirelessly. The pivotal moment arrived with 15 minutes remaining when Dre Taylor was brought down inside the penalty area. The challenge left little doubt, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
With regular penalty taker Louis Holt absent from the side, the responsibility fell to Toby Green. He confidently sent Martin the wrong way, firing into the keeper's left-hand corner to score his first Heys goal and double the advantage.

Chances remained limited as the clock ticked down, but Glossop almost set up a nervy finish in stoppage time. Former Heys player Max Bardsley-Rowe came close to haunting his old club when his header was cleared off the line. Moments later, he threatened again with a free kick from 20 yards that Hall saved well.

Prestwich could have added a third in the 93rd minute when substitutes Lewis Ayres and David Kerrigan combined brilliantly near the corner flag before finding Taylor inside the box. His curling effort drifted just beyond the far post.

This was exactly the response Heys needed following Saturday's frustrating draw at Abbey Hey. The players showed determination, resilience and quality throughout, fully meriting victory against a strong Glossop North End side. Attention now turns to the FA Cup, where a trip to Runcorn Town awaits on Saturday.

TEAM: Austyn Hall, Reece Lascelles-Higgins, Luke Findlow, James Badrock Capt.), Matth Smyth, Josh Tinker, Toby Green, Rob Worrall, Ellis Richardson, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Abdul Djalo, Subs: Alistair Bracken, Louie Hutchinson, Harry Cannon – Noren (for Lascelles-Higgins 82 mins), Lewis Ayres (for Djalo 83 mins), David Kerrigan (for Richardson 90+2 mins)