A SUPERB first-half display saw Prestwich Heys defeat neighbours Radcliffe Borough 3-1 at Adie Moran Park on Saturday.

The first meeting of these sides for 20 years saw Jon Lyons’ team sweep the Evo Stik North Division One North team aside on the back of some great football.

Although Radcliffe had the better of things in the second half, the Manchester League side were deserved winners of a game played in some torrential rain showers.

Heys made light of the conditions to sprayed the ball around and stretched the Boro defence from the off.

They were rewarded with the lead in the 13th minute when George Powell played in Max White and the wide man made no mistake, lifting his shot over Chris Cheetham in the Boro goal.

Heys were continually finding gaps to exploit and their pressure brought further reward on 20 minutes when from a White corner Baguley steered a header home.

It was hard to believe that three divisions separated the sides as Heys dominated, opening up Boro with ease. In the 26th minute, Heys scored a third as a great move ended with Powell breaking into the box and crossing low for Lee Bruce to slot home.

Only a great save at point blank range by Cheetham kept out a Mark Powell header as Heys threatened to run amok.

The interval gave Boro time to regroup and they made a lively start to the second half with the pace of Bevan Burey causing problems and he saw a shot deflected wide.

Heys were unable to reproduce the fluency of the first half but defended well to limit Radcliffe to half chances.

However, on 70 minutes they did pull a goal back when a low cross into the box provided Jamie Forbes with a simple finish.

The goal lifted the visitors and they squandered two good chances although in between Bruce headed over from close range after good work from Paul Tierney.

Former Heys player Josh Bardsley headed over from close range in the closing moments but the day and the derby honours belonged to Heys.