RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1 PRESTWICH HEYS 0

TUESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT: 228

Report by Rick Barrett
Pictures by Bethany Lee - more pics here https://flickr.com/photos/91307207@N05/55504701315/in/album-72177720335421897/

A goal from Gareth Hill early in the second half was enough to secure a local Derby win for Ramsbottom United in a 1-0 defeat of Prestwich Heys at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heys with just the one win in the league this season were looking to get back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw at home to Charnock Richard last Saturday, while Ramsbottom were in confident mood having beaten AFC Liverpool 4-1.

Prestwich started brightly, and their first chance came as early as the second minute, Louis Holt on the right, firing wide of the far post from twelve yards. Then, on ten minutes, a lovely move saw a one-two starting with Toby Green finding Bryson Appleton on the right whose return ball found Green twelve yards out. His shot brought a good save from Reece Trueman in the Ramsbottom goal.

The visitors early dominance sparked Rammy into action, Macauley Wilson heading over on seventeen minutes followed by Matt Dudley driving a shot wide a minute later and Gareth Hill firing wide shortly after.

Back came Prestwich on twenty-four minutes, and it was winger Appleton, who was lively all night, weaving his way past a couple of defenders on the left before firing a shot from eight yards which was saved by Trueman.

The remainder of the half became a tight midfield battle typical of a local derby, and both sets of fans knew it was all to play for as referee Martyn Flynn blew for half time.

The visitors were first to show after the break, Green firing in a corner from the right but striker Louis Holt could not connect.

Ramsbottom responded with a shot on the right being deflected out for a corner on the left but on fifty-five minutes another corner was floated in and it was Hill rising above the Heys defence to head past keeper Austyn Hall at the far post to put the hosts 1-0 up.

Rammy continued to press without any real chances, while Heys were struggling in the midfield battle but on seventy-two minutes Appleton kick started Prestwich with a darting run into the box, but his shot was cleared.

Heys manager Ryan Hutchinson made some changes to put some pressure on Rammy including wide man Jamal Crawford, a recent signing from Trafford FC and striker Ellis Richardson to bolster the attack in a change of formation, going two up top.

Prestwich were now pushing forward and were almost rewarded a minute from time when Appleton broke down the right, beating the full back, but just firing wide of the far post. He deserved better for his night’s efforts.
Referee Flynn signalled six minutes of injury time and Heys final chance came in the dying embers from a corner on the right, that even keeper Austyn Hall came up for, but the ball was cleared and this was to be the final action of the evening and the three points went to Ramsbottom.

So, a disappointing night for Heys who battled hard but found it difficult to find any consistency in this one, and they will look to bounce back on Saturday when they visit fellow Counties side South Liverpool in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup, kick off 3pm

TEAM: Austyn Hall, David Badrock, Luke Findlow, James Badrock (Capt.), Matt Smyth, Josh Tinker, Bryson Appleton, Rob Worrall, Louis Holt, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Toby Green Subs: Abdul Djalo (for Tinker 74 mins), Alistair Bracken (86 mins), Liam Cuthbert (for Green 74 mins), Jamal Crawford (for D. Badrock 80 mins), Ellis Richardson (for Taylor 80 mins)