PRESTWICH HEYS 1 EUXTON VILLA 0
TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2026 NW COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION ATT:153

Report by Pete Coles

Prestwich Heys marked Ryan Hutchinson's 100th game in charge with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Euxton Villa at Adie Moran Park on Tuesday evening. A wonder strike from September's Player of the Month, Louie Hutchinson, proved enough to separate the sides as Heys extended their winning run to four matches in all competitions and maintained the momentum generated by Saturday's FA Vase success.

Fresh from that dramatic victory at Charnock Richard, Heys carried their confidence into the contest and welcomed back Takura Sambizi, making a timely return to action as the hosts continued their climb up the North West Counties Premier Division table. The winger received a warm reception from the home support, with the Sandgate Road faithful in full voice throughout the evening and delighted to once again hear the popular "Sambizi" chant ringing around the ground following his return to the side.

The visitors got the game underway, but it was Heys who threatened first. Bryson Appleton was brought down outside the area inside the opening few minutes and from the resulting free kick, Louie Hutchinson's delivery found James Badrock at the far post. The defender headed the ball back across goal before Villa were eventually able to clear the danger.

Just moments later, another foul on Appleton handed Heys a second opportunity from a set-piece and this time Hutchinson took matters into his own hands. The defender stepped up and produced a moment of real quality, curling a magnificent free kick into the top corner from around 25 yards out, leaving goalkeeper Will Kitchen with absolutely no chance and sending the home support into celebration.

The visitors responded well to going behind and almost found an immediate reply when Dave Moore showed great determination to work his way through on goal, only to see his effort well saved by Buckley after the referee had played advantage.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Heys enjoyed much of the possession during the opening stages. Sambizi immediately showed glimpses of what he brings to the side, stretching the visitors with his movement and dribbling, while Dre Taylor and Liam Cuthbert looked to release him in behind whenever opportunities presented themselves.

Villa gradually grew into the contest and began to enjoy more possession as the half progressed. Despite some neat link-up play in midfield, the Heys defence dealt well with everything thrown at them. Louis Holt came close to doubling the advantage midway through the half when he headed narrowly wide from another excellent Hutchinson delivery, while Lewis Ayres forced the goalkeeper into action with a powerful effort from distance.

At the other end, Buckley was called into action on several occasions during the first half, denying Villa from a dangerous opening before later getting down well to save Leo Thompson's low free kick as the visitors searched for a route back into the contest.

The first half ended with both sides enjoying attacking spells, though Heys remained good value for their 1-0 lead going into the interval.
Villa emerged for the second period determined to find an equaliser and began to exert increasing pressure on the hosts. Sambizi again provided an outlet for Heys, producing some excellent footwork to win a free kick in a dangerous position, although Appleton's resulting effort drifted over the crossbar.

The contest became increasingly competitive as the second half wore on, with both sides picking up cautions as tensions rose. Louie Hutchinson was shown a yellow card midway through the half, while Villa's number ten also found his way into the referee's notebook following a challenge on Appleton after some excellent work from Sambizi as the battle for control intensified.

As the game entered its final half-hour, Villa enjoyed their best spell of the match and pushed Heys deeper into their own half. Ben Turton's powerful long-range effort was brilliantly tipped over by Buckley before Dave Moore headed narrowly wide from the resulting corner as the visitors came agonisingly close to drawing level.

The pressure continued to build, and Villa thought they had found an equaliser on sixty-six minutes when Joel Booth raced through and finished confidently beyond Buckley, only for the assistant referee's flag to cut celebrations short for offside.

Further opportunities followed for the visitors. Ethan Darr saw an effort blocked on the line before Vaughn Green forced another excellent save from Buckley after unleashing a powerful strike towards goal. Leo Thompson then sent a free kick agonisingly wide as Heys continued to withstand mounting pressure.

Ryan Hutchinson looked to freshen things up with the introductions of Jamal Crawford, Lucas Bancroft and Ellis Richardson, while Louie Hutchinson continued to cause problems with his long throws and set-piece deliveries.

Five minutes of added time produced a tense finish as Villa threw players forward in search of an equaliser. Heys, however, showed tremendous resilience. Dre Taylor and Richardson won valuable corners deep into stoppage time, helping relieve pressure and run precious seconds off the clock.

When the final whistle arrived, it sparked celebrations around Adie Moran Park as Heys secured a fourth consecutive victory and the perfect result on a landmark evening for manager Ryan Hutchinson and the coaching team. Fittingly, it was Ryan's son, Louie, who provided the decisive moment with a stunning free kick that ultimately settled the contest. Coupled with a resolute defensive display and a hard-earned clean sheet, it was another night to remember for the home faithful.

The return of Takura Sambizi was warmly welcomed by supporters, who were in full voice throughout the evening, while September's Player of the Month, Louie Hutchinson, once again demonstrated his quality when it mattered most. With confidence continuing to grow and momentum firmly behind them, Heys now turn their attention to Saturday's trip to Chadderton, where they will be looking to make it five wins on the bounce and continue their climb up the table.

TEAM: Jack Buckley, David Badrock, Louie Hutchinson, James Badrock, Matthew Smyth, Liam Cuthbert, Bryson Appleton, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Louis Holt, Lewis Ayres, Takura Sambizi
Subs: Alistair Bracken, Lucas Bancroft (for Sambizi, 86 mins), Jamal Crawford (for Lewis Ayres, 72 mins), Ellis Richardson (for Louis Holt, 87 mins), Simon Foday.