This was the classic game of two halves. Prestwich Heys have had their struggles this season but at half time went in with a two-nil lead, playing impressively and with thoughts of a possible corner turning victory.
However, it was not to be. Chadderton, starting the evening in second place and amongst the teams fancied for a promotion tilt, demonstrated just why as they swept Heys aside with four goals in a devasting twenty-minute blitz that the hosts never looked like recovering from.
This was Heys seventh defeat in a row and in many ways was the most painful. In the first forty-five minutes there were positive signs of a side coming together, threatening in attack and resilient in defence. However, such notions were firmly set aside as the they proved simply unable to cope with the visitor’s intensity after the break.
From the off the game was played at a cracking pace. Heys young ‘keeper Bradley Sullivan was the first in action with an important touch to divert the ball to safety after a strong run by Tyler Berry.
Heys responded by going straight down the other end with Erike Sousa breaking down the right before pulling the ball back for Luc Ferry who fired over. Shortly after a good press by Heys forced an error and Dylan Fitzgerald’s low shot was held low by Chaddy ‘keeper Morgan Bacon.
Although the visitors were enjoying more of the ball, Heys were comfortable defensively and looked a threat when they did go forward. Those two factors combined to give them the lead in the 22nd minute. As a move was broken up Heys quickly turned to the attack as Jordan Southworth was released down the right. The striker headed straight for the box, coming in at the angle, he appeared to still have much to do but he produced a ferocious shot that beat Bacon all ends up, nestling perfectly in the far top corner.
Heys were buoyant, looking the sharper and more energetic, producing some of their best play of the season thus far and in the 33rd minute they doubled their lead. And what a goal it was as on the counter Gabriel Mooney-Munoz picked out Fitzgerald, who shrugged off a challenge, before then rifling a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Chadderton almost responded immediately. Berry broke in the box and rounded Sullivan only for Edward Schryburt to pop up and clear as the ball looked set for the back of the net. Sullivan the saved with his legs to thwart Berry again before on the stroke of half time a goal bound shot for the visitors was deflected wide by one of their own players.
It had been a fine first half performance from Heys, who were deserving of their lead. The warning signs were there though given the away’s side’s strong finish to the half.
However, when the second half got underway Heys seemed unprepared for the onslaught that was to come. The visitors simply ripped them apart. Within four minutes Lewis- Simon Byrne burst through the middle and slotted into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later Matthew Barlow curled a shot just wide and then in the 58th minute the visitors were level. A needless, off the ball, penalty was conceded when there was no threat and Lewis-Byrne slotted home the spot kick.
Chadderton were rampant as Heys disintegrated before their eyes. Sullivan made two great saves in as many minutes to keep things level but in the 63rd minute the comeback was complete as Berry seized on a stray pass to tee up Barlow who finished on the half volley.
Two minutes later, the visitors had a fourth goal. With any semblance of resistance having vanished from an all at sea Heys side, Byrne in oceans of space, broke forward to fire home and complete his hat-trick.
One wondered what score this might finish. A couple of substitutions helped steady the ship, but it still took another good save by Sullivan in the 74th minute to stop Ethan Sutcliffe adding to the tally.
A snapshot from Shay Stansfield, after good work by Sonny Reeves, in the 80th minute offered a glimmer of hope for the home side but in truth the visitors were now in cruise control, looking comfortable and managing the game out with Sullivan preventing further damage in the 88th minute with a good save from Byrne.
As the game entered added time Heys did pull one back as a nice break down the middle found Reeves, who finished well to offer a moment of hope for the home fans.
However, from the restart Chadderton went downfield and Byrne strolled through the Heys defence to round Sullivan and slot home.
All the positivity of the first half had been firmly shattered by the events of the second. However, Heys must try to draw on that opening half going forward. Results elsewhere keep them out of the relegation places, but they are in danger of becoming cut off from the sides above them. They must regroup as they face a huge game on Saturday at Litherland (3pm) who sit one place and four points above them.
Next Tuesday sees the start of the Macron Cup as Heys face Irlam at Adie Moran Park in the First Round (7.45pm)
TEAM; Bradley A Sullivan, Finley Stanyer, Edward Schryburt, Gabriel Mooney-Munoz, Nathan Bartram-Conway (Capt.), Shay Stansfield, Erike Sousa, Noah Inneh, Dylan Fitzgerald, Jordan Southworth, Luc Ferry Subs: Russell Saunders, Luke Jackson (for Ferry 13 mins), Sonny Reeves (for Southworth 70 mins), Adam Dahou (for Bartram-Conway 70 mins),Kian Sharples (for Inneh 80 mins)
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