Prestwich Heys returned to action with a crucial 3-1 League victory over Vauxhall Motors at Adie Moran Park on Tuesday.

With the sides level on points from the same number of games at kick off, this was an important game for both teams as they look to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap in the North West Counties League Premier Division. Playing their first game since November, Matt Barnes side were understandably a little rusty in the opening stages but they grew into the game to take it by the scruff of the neck in the second half, opening up a three goal lead before the visitors netted a consolation.

Vauxhall opened the game in energetic fashion to force a flurry of early corners, but the first real chance came Heys way when Corey Kelly found space but sliced a shot wide.

However, the momentum was with the Merseysiders and Heys keeper Russ Saunders made three smart saves to keep the visitors at bay. He first palmed a Harvey Sample effort to safety before then denying Jack Kelly twice in as many minutes, first diving low to save before then coming out to block one on one.

As Heys began to find their feet, Regan Jarrett broke into the box and fired in a near post shot that Vauxhall keeper Ciaran O’Loughlin pushed round the post. Moving the ball much more fluently, Heys then saw Lee Grimshaw curl a shot wide from 25 yards before Jack Coop’s hot on the turn was pushed wide by O’Loughlin.

Vauxhall responded with a spell of pressure themselves, going close with a free kick and forcing successive corners but in the 38th minute it was Heys who seized the initiative by taking the lead.

Jarrett, making his home debut, seized on a defensive error to go clear and he showed great composure in drawing the keeper before rifling a shot into the bottom corner.

With a half time lead secured, Heys came out strongly at the start of the second period. Kelly lifted a shot over after good work from Greg Daniels before the latter produced a great piece of individual play to dispossess a defender, pirouette and fire a shot just over.

In the 57th minute, Heys pressure told. Joe Rothwell and Daniels linked well on the right before the latter fed Jack Coop. The Heys striker’s shot proved too hot to hold for the keeper and Lee Grimshaw reacted quickly to steer home from close range.

Heys remained in the ascendancy, with Grimshaw seeing a header held before in the 69th minute they added a superb third goal. Daniels was again to the fore as he exchanged passes with Jarrett before then unleashing a sumptuous curling, dipping shot that beat the keeper all ends up.

Vauxhall rallied with Kieran Knapper firing a volley over before they pulled one back with eight minutes remaining. A free kick right on the edge of the area was perfectly executed by Michael Burkey striking with a free kick into the top corner.

As the visitors threatened a comeback, Heys were indebted to a great save by Saunders four minutes from time as he came out one on one, with Knapper to save and secure a big three points for the hosts.

TEAM: Russell Saunders, Joe Rothwell, Regan Jarrett, Scot Cullen, Ben Hampson, Josh Dickin, Corey Kelly, Sam Dickinson, Jack Coop, Greg Daniels, Lee Grimshaw Subs; Louis Potts (for Jarrett 89 mins), Oscar Campbell (for Dickinson 75 mins), Ric Seear (for Grimshaw 62 mins), Ollie Scott, Adrian Bellamy