Against a side who had won the West Riding Premier Division last season and whom were playing their first game at semi-professional level, backed by a large, lively crowd, this was always going to be a tough game for Jon Lyons side.

It was always likely the hosts would look to make an early impression and alarmingly, despite the experience in their ranks, Heys seemed unprepared. They could well have been swept away in the opening twenty minutes as Golcar were quicker and hungrier in all areas of the park.

Although, Heys got back into the game and had their moments their play was riddled with errors. Far too often they conceded possession needlessly. Overall, this was not the start to the season they would have wanted.

From the kick off, Golcar went at Heys. Quick into the tackle and full of energy they penned Heys into their own half.

It came as no surprise when the Yorkshire men they took the lead in the 11th minute. A super ball into the box picked out Ben Burnett in space but he still had much to do and produced a sublime finish sweeping a first-time volley past Kyle Haslam.

The Heys stopper had to be alert shortly after, punching clear a a stinging shot from Jordan Townend.

Burnett almost had second in the 16th minute as he cut through into the box but pulled his shot across goal.

Finally, Heys began to put some passes together and in the 22nd minute they levelled. Some good work down the right ended with Jacob Wood finding space and the Heys Captain delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Will Shawcross who delivered a clinical headed finish.

The momentum was now with Heys, Brad Sixsmith went close from 25 yards before Rio Wilson-Heyes got in behind the defence and unleashed a shot which Harry Stead was grateful to push to safety.

On the half hour, Shelton Payne had a great chance for Heys as he got clear but as defenders caught him, he had to check and ended up pulling his shot wide.

The miss seemed to give the hosts a lift and take the sting out of Heys revival. Suddenly, we were back to the early exchanges, the hosts busy, Heys careless.

On the stroke of half time, Golcar regained the lead. It was poor goal for Heys to concede. They had a couple of opportunities to clear their lines but failed to do so and as the ball fell to Alex Hallam, he had the easiest of finishes from ten yards.

It might have got worse for Heys from the kick off, Golcar broke and Haslam was called upon to thwart Burnett.

Heys made a good start to the second half and Payne went close to restoring parity in the 53rd minute when a sharp shot, on the turn, whistled over the bar.

On the hour, a mix up almost saw the Heys striker pull of an audacious finish from out on the touchline but with the home keeper scrambling, his shot rolled across the face of goal and wide.

Golcar still buzzed and threatened but lacked their composure of the first half in the final third. The introduction of Daniel Greene and Max White gave added impetus for Heys and in the 70th minute they went close through Wilson-Heyes who broke into the box before shooting into the side netting.

Mark Ayres then headed wide from a Max White free kick.

Heys though were getting increasingly desperate and often found themselves running down blind alleys.

Alex Hallam should have settled for Golcar when he got clear but pulled his shot wide giving Heys once last chance to salvage something.

Green went close with a shot and in the dying seconds the Golcar penalty area resembled a pinball machine, the ball bouncing around but Heys unable to apply the finish.

In the end they had just done enough to prevent Golcar getting the start they dreamt of to their semi-professional adventure.

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, Jacob Wood (Captain), Jacob Holt, James Wolfenden, Adrian Bellamy, Mark Ayres, Danny White, Brad Sixsmith, Shelton Payne, Rio Wilson-Heyes, Will Shawcross Subs : Max White (for Wolfenden 69 mins) Daniel Greene (for Shawcross 70 mins), Jordan Pendlebury (for Sixsmith 80 mins), Kieron Sherlock, Danny Vincent