Match Preview

Heys head across Manchester to face Wythenshawe Town on Saturday (3pm).

After the midweek loss to Congleton, Lee O’Brien and James Hampson will be looking for their side to bounce back whilst also being all to aware of the challenge facing them at Ericstan Park.

Wythenshawe are having a fine season and remain unbeaten in the Premier Division with twelve wins and three draws from their fifteen matches.

Ordinarily, it’s a record one would expect from a table topping team, but they presently sit second, two points behind leaders Vauxhall Motors, but with a game in hand.

Indeed, the top sides have set a hot pace. Heys form itself would have been sufficient to see them second in the table at this stage last year, just two points off the top. As it is they go into the game nine points behind Wythenshawe from the same number of games.

It may be to early to call it a must win game, with two thirds of the season remaining, but the Heys camp will feel they need to win or at least avoid defeat, to keep their hosts in their sights. It would also put down a marker. Prior to Tuesday Heys had won six of their previous seven League matches and it is that form they will be looking to reproduce. Heys are likely to be boosted by the return of Captain, Aaron Chalmers and top scorer Connor Berry.

Wythenshawe have proved prolific scorers. Matt Bryant has a goal a game to his name whilst Brad Byrne, Aaron Byrne (both with seven) and Daruis Palma with nine have also been amongst the goals, whilst just today they have announced the signing of another striker in Louis Potts, who O’Brien and Hampson will be familiar with from AVRO.

Indeed, familiarity will be another ingredient of the game, the respective Managers are friends whilst Town’s Jordan Burton and James Dwyer have both played at Heys. There is unlikely to be much that each side does not know about the other.

It all points to a fascinating contest.

Matchday Information

Ground: Ericstan Park

Address: Timpson Road, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester M23 9LL

Admission Prices: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, £1 Under 16s

Programme Price: £2.00

Directions: From the M56 Junction 3, follow the sign for Wythenshawe Hospital. After 1 mile, after passing the Shell garage, turn left at the traffic lights then right at the next set of traffic lights. The ground is at the end of this road.

From the M60 (Counterclockwise), come off at Junction 5 and join the M56. Come off at the first exit which is Junction 3 and follow signs as above.

From the M60 (Clockwise), head towards the M56 at Junction 4 and come off at the first exit, Junction 2 towards Wythenshawe. At the roundabout go straight ahead towards Altrincham, and at the second roundabout take the second exit, again towards Altrincham. This will bring you to M56 Junction 3, go straight ahead at the roundabout and follow the directions above.

Nearest Railway: Baguley (9 minutes' walk, 0.4 miles)

From Cheadle, Gatley & Stockport and in the opposite direction, Timperley and Altrincham, take the 11 or 11a and get off anywhere near Tesco Baguley or Baguley Retail Park. If you’re travelling from anywhere in Wythenshawe, the 11 or 109 is the easiest bus to get.

If you are travelling from Manchester City Centre take the 109.
Parking Facilities: Available and free of charge

Ground Facilities:
Covered seating
Covered standing
Bar serving hot food and drinks as well as cold drinks and refreshments
Pitch side shop serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and pin badges
Beer garden to the rear
Games room
Disabled toilet
Disabled access
Parking
Wi-fi