PRESTWICH HEYS 2 ATHERTON LR 0
TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:206

Report by Pete Coles
Pictures by Bethany Lee more pics here https://flickr.com/photos/91307207@N05/albums/72177720335913588

Prestwich Heys made it three wins from their last four matches with a deserved 2-0 victory over Atherton LR at Adie Moran Park on Tuesday evening.

The visitors arrived having climbed into the early-season promotion picture, knowing that victory would move them into third place in the North West Counties Premier Division table. Meetings between the two sides were closely contested last season, with one ending goalless before Atherton claimed a 2-1 victory in the return fixture at Crilly Park.

On this occasion, however, Atherton found a Heys side in determined mood, as the hosts controlled large periods of the contest, particularly after the interval.

The home side nearly made the perfect start when after just two minutes Louis Holt attempted to lob Atherton goalkeeper James Aspinall, but the keeper reacted well to save.

Heys continued to enjoy the better of the opening exchanges and came close again on 20 minutes. Lewis Ayres showed good vision to find Toby Green on the wing. Green, making his return from injury after recently being named the league's Player of the Month, beat his marker before firing an effort narrowly beyond Aspinall's left-hand post.

The hosts continued to press, with Holt heading wide from a David Badrock long throw, while Green and Liam Cuthbert also went close as Heys looked to turn their possession into a breakthrough. On 34 minutes, Louis Hutchinson created another opportunity with some great work down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but once again Atherton were able to clear the danger.

Atherton's best chance of the first half arrived a few minutes later when a free-kick from the left was delivered into the penalty area, but Jack Buckley gathered comfortably in the Heys goal. Despite enjoying slightly more of the ball during the closing stages of the half, the visitors struggled to create meaningful openings as the sides went into the interval deadlocked.

The second half began with Heys firmly on the front foot. Bryson Appleton forced a simple save from Aspinall, while another long throw from David Badrock created uncertainty inside the visitors' penalty area.

Atherton showed more attacking intent after the restart and enjoyed their best spell of the match around the hour mark. However, the Heys defence remained resolute and, despite the visitors seeing more of the ball in advanced areas, Buckley was rarely called upon as the hosts maintained their discipline and organisation.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 73 minutes. Nicholas Dre Taylor spotted the run of Liam Cuthbert and delivered an excellent ball over the top. The midfielder took it in his stride before smashing an unstoppable finish high into the net to give Heys a deserved lead.
Five minutes later, the points were virtually secured. Substitute Abdul Djalo produced some excellent work inside the box and found Ayres, whose shot struck the post and rolled across goal for Holt to apply the finishing touch from close range.
Atherton struggled to mount a response, and Heys almost added a third five minutes from time when yet another David Badrock long throw caused problems in the penalty area, nearly resulting in an own goal.
The visitors' final effort came deep into stoppage time when a wild shot sailed comfortably over Buckley's crossbar.
The result was a fair reward for a disciplined and controlled performance from Ryan Hutchinson's side, who rarely looked troubled and fully deserved all three points.
Heys now have a weekend off before returning to action on Saturday 10th October, when they begin their FA Vase campaign with an away trip to Charnock Richard. Following another assured league display and a deserved victory over promotion-chasing Atherton LR, Ryan Hutchinson's side will be looking to carry their recent good form into the cup competition and build on the momentum generated at Adie Moran Park.
TEAM: Jack Buckley, David Badrock, Louie Hutchinson, James Badrock, Matthew Smyth, Liam Cuthbert, Bryson Appleton, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Louis Holt, Lewis Ayres, Toby Green Subs: Alistair Bracken (for Liam Cuthbert, 87 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for Lewis Ayres, 79 mins), Abdul Djalo (for Toby Green, 75 mins), Jamal Crawford (for Bryson Appleton, 90 mins), Ellis Richardson (for Louis Holt, 89 mins).