SOUTH LIVERPOOL 0 PRESTWICH HEYS 1
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:119

Report by Rick Barrett
Pictures by Bethany Lee - more pics here https://www.flickr.com/photos/91307207@N05/sets/72177720335585882/

A first half goal from Ellis Richardson was enough to give Prestwich Heys a morale boosting League win against South Liverpool in the final part of the 'trilogy' between these two sides at Jericho Lane on Saturday.

This encounter completed three games in seven days between the clubs, with South Liverpool progressing to the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday night after a 2-1 replay win at Adie Moran Park.

However, it was back to North West Counties Premier Division action here, and Heys welcomed back Abdul Djalo and the cup tied Liam Cuthbert into the side.

It was a tight start to the game with an air of familiarity to it. The first chance fell to Prestwich in the tenth minute when a ball over the top found Ellis Richardson, on the left whose shot was saved by South Liverpool keeper Dominic Garner.

The visitors were looking the more likely, and so it proved on twenty-eight minutes when a great header from the left by Cuthbert, deep into the box, found Richardson on hand to tap home his third goal of the season and put Heys ahead.

It was almost a second a couple of minutes later when Bryson Appleton broke through and fired a shot from eight yards out that was parried away by keeper Garner.

Heys continued to press, and on thirty-four minutes it was midfield powerhouse Nicholas Dre Taylor seeing his shot partially cleared before the ball found Richardson, who fired over.

South Liverpool's first attempt on target came a minute before half time when Brandon O'Keefe fired straight at Heys keeper Kyle Haslam thus bringing an end to the first half action.

So, Heys had the advantage at the break and were the more dominant side, especially after Richardsons goal, but it was clear they would need to make their chances count to ensure the three points in this one.

It was the hosts quicker out of the blocks in the second half, Neil Weaver firing a shot in from eight yards bringing a good save from Haslam in the Prestwich goal.

Shortly after Heys full back Luke Findlow was substituted after getting a knock in the first half and was replaced by Louis Hutchinson.

The home side were trying to find a way back in to the game but the Heys defence was standing tall. On sixty-four minutes George Clarkson fired in a shot from the left, which was saved by Haslam and you sensed South Liverpool were starting to get frustrated.

Lewis Ayres replaced Richardson for Heys on sixty five minutes and he was unlucky shortly after, firing over the bar after great work by Cuthbert in the middle.

Heys were now back in control and had a big chance to finish it on seventy-six minutes. Appleton cut through the South Liverpool midfield and fired in a shot that keeper Garner parried back to him. Appleton then lobbed the keeper only to see the ball hit the crossbar and bounce back out to Djalo who couldn't convert it home.

It was the lively Appleton again three minutes from time who grabbed control in midfield before finding substitute Toby Green on the left who fired over the bar.

Referee Jack Mitchell signalled four minutes of injury time, and another chance fell to Heys. Appleton, who had looked dangerous in the second half playing in a freer role, ran down the right and crossed to Taylor but his shot from eight yards was blocked and cleared for what proved the final action of the day.

So, a deserved 1-0 victory for Heys who had to work hard for this win and will be encouraged by a strong defensive display and good attacking play. If they can begin converting more of their chances they will continue to prosper as the season progresses.

Heys next game will be a trip to league newcomers Droylsden next Saturday 19 September (3pm.)

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, Reece Lascelles-Higgins, Luke Findlow, James Badrock (Capt.), Matt Smyth, ​Nicholas Dre Taylor, Bryson Appleton, Liam Cuthbert, Ellis Richardson, Abdul Djalo, Jamal Crawford Subs: David Badrock (for Lascelles-Higgins 70 mins), Louie Hutchinson (for Findlow 52 mins), Lucas Bancroft for Bancroft 81 mins), Toby Green (for Crawford 59 mins), Lewis Ayres (for Richardson 65 mins)