Walshaw Sports 2-3 Prestwich Heys

Jon Lyons levels from the spot

IT couldn’t get much worse. Trailing by two goals to one, down to NINE men after only 30 minutes and with the right-back acting as an emergency ‘keeper!

But Heys put in a superb second half performance to defy the odds and take all the points in an amazing three-two victory at Walshaw Sports.

Since coming up from the first division as champions last season, Walshaw Sports have enjoyed a decent start to life at the top table, illustrated by their comfortable mid-table position.

But Heys indifferent form of late has slightly de-railed their charge for a fourth successive Manchester League title. And with the season entering its final third, the Sandgate Road outfit need to get a long run of results going to stand any chance of retaining their crown.

However, Saturday afternoon’s task was made all that more difficult on 16 minutes when ‘keeper Paul Hinchy’s reaction to a challenge from a Walshaw forward earned the stopper an early shower.

Right-back Mark Slater donned the goalkeeping attire and was almost immediately picking the ball out of the back of his net following an un-stoppable strike in the corner from the edge of the box.

But Heys hit back as Chris Smithies sent a low effort in to the side-netting.

Slater was taking no chances at the other end, stretching high to tip over a long-range drive as the home side looked to pressure the stand-in ‘keeper.

Heys got back on level terms on 22 minutes, when Jonathan Lyons’ corner on the left eventually found its way to Mark Westhead who nodded in from close range.

Parity was to last all of a minute though as a Walshaw shot took a lucky deflection which deceived Slater and restored the home side’s advantage.

Then, as if the task facing Heys wasn’t big enough, Captain Andy Roberts was given a straight red card for a late lunge in the middle of the park.

Down to nine men, the Heys coaching staff had some thinking to do.

Lyons moved to right-back with Westhead and Love dropping back to help out Sam Smith in the middle leaving Smithies the lone striker up-front.

Happy to sit back, Heys let Walshaw knock the ball around in front of them and looked to pick off their hosts on the break.

This style of play obviously comes with an element of risk and Heys needed lady luck to be on their side on a number of occasions.

Slater pulled off a good double save as Heys looked to get to the break without conceding further.

Love and Lyons still managed half chances for Heys although it was Walshaw who came the closest as they rattled Slater’s crossbar on 42 minutes.

Slater was again called in to action after the restart as he guided another effort over the crossbar.

But Heys were playing some good football now, so much so that any late-comers would struggle to notice the visitors lack of numbers in the player department.

And their deserved lifeline back in to the game came on the hour when Damion Keegan was brought down just inside the box. Lyons stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to bring the scores level at two apiece.

Walshaw found the woodwork again on 75 minutes when a header from a free-kick on the right clattered Slater’s upright.

Then, the visitors turned the game on its head with nine minutes remaining. Smithies, who worked tirelessly upfront on his own for the majority of the game, caused panic in the Walshaw rearguard with a surge down the right.

Waiting for backup to arrive, he eventually played to ball back to Smith who squared inside to Lyons on the edge of the box, teeing him up for a right-footed strike that left the Walshaw ‘keeper clutching thin air.

Cue scenes of celebration reminiscent of last season’s Goldline trophy success at the Reebok Stadium back in March.

The home side still managed to find the frame of the goal for a third time before the referee finally blew time on a quite amazing game of football.