Grimshaw double gives Heys last gasp victory

Lee Grimshaw struck twice as Prestwich Heys secured a dramatic last gasp win over Lower Breck in their top five clash at Adie Moran Park.

In an absorbing encounter it looked like the spoils would be shared but the Heys striker, who had earlier given his side a 7th minute lead, popped up again deep into injury time to give his side a fully deserved victory.

The Merseyside visitors arrived in red hot form, unbeaten in their last seven games, during which they had scored 42 goals, a run which had lifted them to third in the table. However, they were largely second best to a young Heys side who never stopped running, whether that be in attack or defence.

The experience of Dom Slaven, Danny White and Jake Wood was invaluable but around them there were some impressive performances from the youngsters in this emerging side, most notably at centre half where James Dwyer delivered a Man of the Match performance that helped stifle the visitors attack and provide the platform for this victory.

Heys, who started the game in fifth, began in lively fashion and were rewarded after only seven minutes with a goal that was right out of the top drawer.

Some impressive build up play culminated in Slaven, feeding the ball into Grimshaw, just inside the area, and the striker didn’t disappoint as he sent a low, first time shot, past the despairing dive of Joshua Molloy, into the bottom corner.

Whilst play flowed from end to end it was Heys who looked the most dangerous and Molly was forced into a smart save in the 20th minute to keep out a Danny White shot at the foot of the post.

Lower Breck briefly rallied and their chief threat Leon Arnasalam threatened twice in as many minutes but couldn’t find the finish to match his approach play.

The general momentum was however with Heys. Will Shawcross tested Molloy from 20 yards before a run of four successive corners saw the hosts twice go close too increasing their lead.

As Breck struggled to clear a Slaven cross beat their attempts to spring the offside trap and Molloy had to be alert to block Wood’s shot before Kieron Sherlock headed just over.

The visitors responded with a spell of pressure of their own and it took a timely clearance, on the line, by Jacob Holt to stop Stephen Milne’s deft back heel on the line.

In a frantic end to the half Heys might have doubled their advantage but instead saw themselves going in level.

First a great run and cross by Grimshaw picked out Brad Sixsmith but his header was well held by Molloy.

Moments later though, Lower Breck were level. A cross into the box looked to have been covered by Sherlock but as he looked to allow the ball to float out of play it clipped him on the shoulder and dropped invitingly for Luke Duffy to slot home from close range.

It was harsh on Heys and they came out for the second half in determined fashion, building momentum as Danny White saw a free kick go just wide and Shawcross saw a long-range effort held by Molloy.

However, it was Lower Breck who came closest to scoring in the 70th minute. A lightning move culminated in Arnaslam picking out Michael Douglas but to Heys relief, the latter’s glancing header went just wide of the post.

Shawcross shot wide for Heys shortly after but as the game entered the closing stages both teams sensed the points were there for the taking.

There were some anxious moments at both ends but in the second minute of injury time Heys endeavor brought its reward.

From a free kick, just inside from the touch line, some 25 yards out, Max White floated in a superb cross to the far post and amidst a clutch of bodies in the six-yard box, Grimshaw applied the decisive touch to grab the winner and spark wild celebrations on and off the pitch.

TEAM: Russell Saunders, Kieran Sherlock, Jacob Holt, Brad Sixsmith, James Dwyer, Jake Wood (Capt), Danny White, Dom Slaven, Lee Grimshaw, James Wolfenden, Will Shawcross, Subs: Carl Fitton, Liam Healey, Connor Smith, Lee Bruce (for Wolfenden 57 mins), Max White (for Sixsmith 72 mins)