Prestwich Heys 2, Prestwich 2
Kenyon Cup Group Game at Sandgate Road, Whitefield
Saturday 24th July 2010
Falling behind twice in the opening half as Prestwich struggled to get to grips with a classy Heys side, Lee Metcalfe’s men turned things round and dominated after the break to level the scores and could have even pinched the win in the closing moments.
Following last weeks 6-1 success at home to Hargreaves in their opening Kenyon Cup match, Prestwich travelled the short distance to neighbours Prestwich Heys for the two clubs first ever competitive meeting.
An encouraging opening five or ten minutes by the visitors was soon forgotten about as the youthful home side, with midfielder Danny Morley pulling the strings, imposed themselves on the game and took the lead on 18 minutes as a header crept in at the near post as everybody else anticipated the ball back across goal.
But Prestwich hit back and were unfortunate not to bring the scores back level straight away as John Blezard fired over the bar from close range.
However on the half hour, the visitors found the net as Shaun Jackson picked up a through ball that was missed by a defender and calmly slotted low past the Heys ‘keeper.
Parity was to last just five minutes as Heys got their noses back in front again as Morley’s far post header from a corner was firmly planted past stand-in ‘keeper and debutant Andy Morrissey in the Prestwich goal.
With a few words at half time from their manager and a shuffle about with the formation, Prestwich looked a different team after the restart and immediately had a chance to level from the spot following a keenly seen elbow on Blezard as he surged in to the box.
Jackson looked to continue his fine goalscoring form in this fledgling season but his fifth goal in just one and a half games wasn’t to be as his low penalty was well saved by the Heys ‘keeper.
Just a moment later Blezard rolled another effort wide of the target before a speculative effort from vice-captain Chris Hopkins dipped wide of the post.
It wasn’t all one way traffic though as the home side enjoyed small periods of pressure but Morrissey stood tall and held on tight to any long rangers that came his way.
On the hour, Prestwich deservedly got back on level terms as a bout of pinball in the Heys goalmouth was finally ended as Jackson slammed a shot in to the roof of the net running in from the angle.
And with the home side tiring, the visitors looked for a third with Howarth rolling a shot across the face before sub Rhys Hardie, another making his Prestwich debut, sent a great chance over the bar under pressure from a desperate lunge by a covering defender.
As the game entered stoppage time, Heys enjoyed a couple of close range free-kicks but the Prestwich defence held firm with the evergreen Paul Taylor excelling at the back all game against a group of talented players mostly under half his age!
PRESTWICH: Morrissey, Hopkins, Kirkley, Lott (O’Donnell), Steadman, Taylor, Smith, Howarth, Blezard (Hardie), Jackson (2), Bushell (Ingham)
• Our final Kenyon Cup group stage game takes place next Saturday as Prestwich travel to Little Lever B who yesterday went down 2-0 to Hargreaves in their first game of the group. Kick off at Mytham Road is 2pm.
• Check out the Kenyon Cup website for more fixtures and results from the competition: http://www.kenyoncup.org.uk
