Matt Davies scored twice to help Heys on their way to an ultimately comfortable 4-1 victory over Beverley Town in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase at Adie Moran Park on Saturday, writes Stephen Howard.

The Heys forward is enjoying a rich vein of form and inspired his sides fightback, after they had fallen behind to an early goal. He also set up Jack Coop for the strike that brought the scores level as the hosts roared into a 3-1 half time lead before a 65th minute Kaiden Barlow strike confirmed the win.

Few would have forecast the outcome in the opening stages as Beverley were the better side, causing problems going forward whilst nullifying any attacking threat from Heys who enjoyed the better of the possession in the opening exchanges.

However, with the first attack of note from either side Beverley took the lead in the 5th minute. Some slick passing opened Heys up down the middle with the ball finding Ollie Baldwin, on the edge of the area, who steered a fine low shot past Jordan Hadlow.

In their first ever game in the FA Vase, the North East Counties League First Division, side played with confidence, to stretch Heys and twice went close with shots across the face of goal as the home side struggled to find any momentum.

However, in the 23rd minute, Heys found a way back into the game as out of nothing they levelled. There seemed little threat when Davies collected the ball out wide but quick feet saw him shake off his marker and break into the box, before delivering a deep cross to the far post for the unmarked Coop to stab home with the outside of his foot.

The goal steadied Heys and they began to start putting some passes together and whilst Beverley still carried a threat it was the hosts who were to forge ahead in the 32nd minute with a superb strike from Davies.

The striker gained possession outside the penalty area but appeared to have few options, but some fine footwork and a burst of pace suddenly found him in the 18-yard box, where he whipped a low shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net.

Beverley looked stunned, with the game having been turned on is head and matters were to get worse for the visitors on the stroke of half time as Heys added a third. Turning defence into attack quickly Davies, Coop and James combined before Davies finished the move as he rifled home at the far post.

After the break, Heys came out like a team in a hurry to wrap the game up with a flurry of attacks. James got in behind the defence but saw his shot blocked by Town keeper Tom Nicholson and then as the ball was reworked Jacob Ngoy sent in a cross that the keeper had to claw from under the bar.

On surviving the early onslaught, the visitors looked to gain some momentum and twice in a matter of minutes they went close to getting back into the game.

In the 62nd minute, as Heys struggled to clear, Connor Harman struck a firm volley that Hadlow punched to safety before moments later Joshua Batty cut into the box, but the Heys keeper came out quickly to close the angle and block the shot with an outstretched hand.

Any possibility of a comeback was finally put to bed in the 65th minute as Heys swept up field to score their fourth of the afternoon. The swift break ended with Coop crossing for Barlow whose header the keeper got a hand to, but which only helped the ball goalwards and the Heys man, who had replaced James. followed up to ensure the ball crossed the line.

Coop was replaced by Luke Nicholls shortly after and the latter, a close season striker signing from Atherton Colls whose arrival has been delayed by injury, was soon in the action, working space to pick out Barlow whose shot was held low.

The away side continued to look for a way back but, with Kyle Jacobs imperious, Heys looked comfortable and might have added to their tally in the closing stages when Barlow found space, but Nicholson got down well to keep out his shot.

So, an afternoon that started worryingly for Heys ended with a victory that will see them host Rotherham based Parkgate FC at home in the next round on September 23.

TEAM: Jordan Hadlow, Bradley Sixsmith, Saidkhon Khamidov, Jacob Ngoy, Regan Brown, Kyle Jacobs (Capt.), Darcy O’Connor, Malachi Slaven, Jack Coop, Matt Davies, Tyler James Subs; Kayle Power (for Sixsmith 51 mins), Vincent Howell, Luke Nicholls (for Coop 68 mins), Nathan Bartram-Conway, Kaiden Barlow (for James 60 mins), Connor Martin

Heys turn their attentions to the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday when they travel to Northern Premier League Workington in the 1st Qualifying Round (3pm). Heys are then back at Adie Moran Park next Tuesday when they will either host Padiham in the League (7.45pm), or Workington if there is a replay of the FA Cup tie.