10 Man Heys comeback to triumph at Shelley

writes Scott White

Prestwich Heys welcomed Darius Photiou back to the starting line-up as they racked up the three points with a battling and spirited display at Shelley Recreation.

The home side enjoyed the best on the opening half-hour, having a decent shout for a penalty turned down in the early stages.

Heys had their moments, Rio Wilson-Heyes making a good run on ten minutes before playing the ball into Will Shawcross, who took a touch before overhitting his shot.

On fifteen minutes, Heys fell behind when flat-footed defending from a free-kick on Heys right flank evaded everyone before finding home skipper Anthony Leech at the far post, who converted easily.

Minutes later, Photiou made a fine run into space before delivering a testing ball into the box, but Jamie Sinnott was narrowly offside at the far post.

The home side were still on top however, but there was an opportunity on twenty-minutes when Wilson-Heyes was upended, and the free-kick from Dannny White was pushed out for a corner, which Heys wasted.

A firm challenge in the back of Shawcross saw Heys again find themselves in a dangerous position, but a training ground move from Heys from the dead ball was broken up in the box.

Great work from Sinnott enabled him to get the ball to Wilson-Heyes, who saw his powerful shot parried, Shawcross followed up but his effort was also saved.

Just before the half-hour, Shelley’s Jordan Broadbent kicked out when challenging Shawcross, and received a yellow card before being replaced.

There was then a let-off for Heys when the referee blew for foul against Heys when the advantage would have suited Shelley.

On thirty-four minutes, James Wolfenden got himself booked for throwing the ball at an opponent who had not retreated after being awarded a free-kick, a rash action which would cost him later.

Next, quick thinking from Brad Sixsmith released Wilson-Heyes into space, his first time cross looked on for Sinnott to get a shot on goal, but he unselfishly cut the ball back and the opportunity was lost.

With six minutes left, a great chance fell to Wilson-Heyes, but Paul Day saved his effort before collecting the loose ball. The ball was soon back in the Shelley box, Sinnott and Wolfenden combined well to earn Heys a corner. The home ‘keeper came for the dead ball but missed it completely, and Jacob Holt found the top corner with a fine shot to level.

In the aftermath, ‘keeper Day was sinbinned for dissent.

Heys time in the ascendancy lasted only five or so minutes however, Wolfenden throwing himself into a tackle from behind on the edge of the penalty area that resulted in a second yellow and his dismissal.

At the start of the second half, Heys had six minutes to try and exploit the lack of a first-choice keeper, and Jacob Wood and Adie Bellamy were both on hand with the ball loose, but Shelley somehow cleared.

When it looked like the advantage had slipped away, the impressive Photiou burst into the box and was pulled back. The referee awarded a spot-kick and Danny White made no mistake.

Shelley were back to eleven players a minute later, and Heys found themselves on the back foot, Russ Saunders making a great save when it seemed Shelley would score.

However, from this point onwards, Heys were resolute in defending their lead, blunting the home attack time after time, and eventually looking very comfortable as Shelley could not take advantage of the extra man.

Justin Pickering made his first appearance of the campaign for Heys, replacing Jamie Sinnott who had again put in a great shift.

One of Shelley’s substitutes was then booked for needlessly following through on Saunders, and then Shelton Payne replaced Shawcross on the flank.

Heys skipper Jacob Wood lead the line magnificently as Shelley ran out of ideas, and the visitors had opportunities to extend the lead.

Wilson-Heyes was caught offside with the home defence committed, and then a short free-kick from White to Payne saw the substitute make space for himself before curling an effort over the bar with his back to goal.

With just over five minutes left, the hard-working Wilson-Heyes was replaced by Jordan Pendlebury.

Shelley thought they had equalised with a spectacular finish with five minutes of normal time left, but the referee had already blow for a foul for a push and striker Josh Dyson was then sinbinned for his protest.

There was still time for Payne to cleverly set up Pendlebury with a square-ball after dragging the Shelley defence out of position, but his shot went straight at the keeper.

This was not a vintage performance from Heys, but the never-say-die attitude and work-rate was first class in the second half with full credit to the ten-men who sealed a fine victory.

Heys Line-up: Saunders, Photiou, Holt, Wolfenden, Bellamy, Wood, White D, Sixsmith, Sinnott, Wilson-Heyes, Shawcross. Subs: Pickering (for Sinnott), Payne (for Shawcross), Pendlebury (for Wilson-Heyes). Unused: Vincent and Slaven