After Saturday’s dismal opening day defeat to Burscough, Heys were everything they were not at the weekend. Full of energy, purpose and attacking threat they may have won by a larger margin as they hit the woodwork three times and saw a shot cleared off the line. Defensively they also looked more robust and needed to be against a Pilkington side who were always a threat. In an entertaining game though Heys, who overcame a tentative start, were deserved winners’ courtesy of goals from Jack Coop, Vinny Howell and Kaiden Barlow.

There were six changes to the starting line up from Saturday as Heys Management looked for a response. In a lively opening from both sides, it was clear that this was a more energetic Heys outfit than that which never got started at the weekend, with encouraging signs at both ends of the pitch.

Heys created the first chance of the evening, as Jack Coop latched onto a Jordan Hadlow clearance to fire in an angled shot that visiting ‘keeper Liam Sergent gathered at the foot of the post. Soon after though, Heys defensive capabilities were tested from a corner and as the ball bounced about the penalty box a timely block deflected Wade Rutherford’s shot for another corner which was defended well.

In being promoted last season, Pilkington were their divisions top scorers, and one could see why with their fluent attacks and quick transitions from defence keeping Heys rearguard marshalled by Arron Chalmers and Nathan Bartram, already looking far more solid and on their toes.

Equally, Heys were looking an altogether different proposition in attack and their pace and movement began to make an impact. Matt Davies, to prove a threat throughout, fired in a ferocious angled shot that Sergent pushed over the bar before in the 27th minute Coop worked space for himself on the edge of the area before unleashing a thunderous shot that came crashing off the crossbar. Two minutes later, Tyler James pace took him into the box, but his low shot was held by the keeper.

The breakthrough came in the 34th minute as Davies surged into the box before seeing his shot parried with the ball breaking to Coop, who showed great composure to gain control, turn a defender and slot home.

The Heys striker was almost in again a minute later as he seized on a stray ball but this time his shot drifted just wide of the post. On the stroke of half time Heys went close again as Davies burst into the box to pick out James whose shot came off the post.

However, the half ended with a warning for the hosts as Pilkington went straight down the other end and a deflected shot brought a fine save from Hadlow as he pushed the ball to safety at full stretch, a reminder of the visitors’ threat and that the match was still delicately poised.

Heys came out for the second half however in scintillating fashion, eager to put the game to bed. With Howell and Darcy O’Connor establishing their familiar passing rhythms, ably supported by debutant Isaac Lee, who has joined on loan from Radcliffe, the direction of play was all towards the visitor’s goal.

A great shot by Coop from 25 yards, that looked to be heading in, was matched by Sergent as he saved at full stretch, then James broke down the left cut inside and teed up Howell, who shot with the outside of his foot, with the ball just clearing the bar. A warm up for what was to come?

In the 51st minute there was another chance for Heys as James turned the defence inside out, but his shot was again resisted by Sergent as he saved well low down.

The pressure was relentless, but it was to take something special to make it count. In the 53rd minute a stray pass was seized upon by Howell who advanced into the box. As Sergent came out to meet him, the Heys midfielder could have fired left or right but instead delivered a sublime, perfectly weighted chip over the keeper into the net. Pure class!

Two minutes later Heys almost had a third as James broke down the left, leaving defenders trailing, before seeing a low shot cleared off the line. On the hour, O’Connor almost got in the act, but his shot was just wide.

Heys rang the changes and some of their momentum dimmed which allowed Pilkington to enjoy more possession. Their tenacity almost brought a reward in the 75th minute as Freddy Garbutt made his way into the box, forcing Hadlow to save at full stretch with Malachi Slaven tidying up the danger.

It was a warning to Heys that the match wasn’t over yet. However, they still looked to have another goal in them and in the 83rd minute they wrapped up the three points. Moments after seeing one long range effort blocked Kaiden Barlow tried his arm again from 20 yards out and this time found the bottom corner.

Pilkington did not throw in the towel and launched some promising attacks and should fare well over the months ahead. The sight of Brad Sixsmith and Nathan Emery running strongly to make decisive defensive interventions, late on, however only served to underline the impressive all-round nature of this Heys performance.

TEAM: Jordan Hadlow, Brad Sixsmith, Nathan Emery, Darcy O’Connor, Nathan Bartram-Conway, Aaron Chalmers (Capt.), Isaac lee, Vinny Howell, Jack Coop, Matt Davies, Tyler James Subs: Saidkhon Khaimidov (for O'Connor 86 mins), Regan Brown, Kaiden Barlow (for Lee 67 mins), Malachi Slaven (for Howell 65 mins), Rio Wilson-Heyes (for Coop 84 mins)