Prestwich Heys losing run was ended in dramatic style as they triumphed over Irlam in the Macron Cup 1st Round at Adie Moran Park on Tuesday night.
After suffering eight successive defeats it looked like it might prove a long night when the visitors when ahead in the seventh minute as they dominated the opening quarter of the game. But Heys showed great spirit to claw their way back, levelling just before half time and then coming from behind again in a second half in which they were the better team. However, with the teams not able to be separated in the ninety minutes the game went to penalties and Heys held their nerve to score all four of their spot kicks whilst their goalkeeper Brad Sullivan excelled with two fine saves, to ensure victory.
There was little to suggest such an outcome in the opening stages. Irlam were sharper all over the park as they stretched Heys with some enterprising play in which lively winger Lloyd Shobo was to the fore. It came as little surprise when the visitors took the lead in the 7th minute. Two former Heys players played their part as Joe Rothwell and Regan Brown combined down the right and when the latter drove the ball low across goal Tom Woodward swept home from close range.
It was the 13th minute before Heys put anything meaningful together to earn a free kick from which Dylan Fitzgerald fired over. However, by and large Heys were struggling to find any momentum to their play as the away side continued to set the pace. Two minutes later Heys were again opened up down the right and when the ball was delivered to Woodward, he fired low but, Sullivan got down well to save and gather at the second attempt on the goal line.
Heys though were showing signs of finding their feet and put together a good spell of football which saw two shots blocked before Fitzgerald fired wide.
On the half hour, came one of the defining moments of the night, when a great chance came for Irlam as Shobo went clear, but Sullivan held his nerve and stood his ground to pull off a great save and keep Heys in the game.
This signalled an overall change in momentum. Although the game became generally untidy, Heys began to find some consistency to their play whilst dimming the threat of the visitors and their spirit was rewarded in the 42nd minute. A nice break by Sammy Imessaoudene saw his progress eventually blocked but Fitzgerald picked up possession and worked his way into the box before clipping a shot into the bottom corner.
The goal gave Heys a momentum they took into the second half, and they went mightily close to scoring in the 51st minute as Fitzgerald tried a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected wide. However, within a minute, the home side were to fall behind for a second time.
A lightening break down the right involving former Heys Captain Jacob Holt and Joseph Thompson saw the latter deliver the ball to Woodward to slot home his second of the game.
So, Heys had it all to do again but they responded well with Fitzgerald going close on the hour with a shot that was deflected wide for a corner from which they were to equalise. Regan Jarett delivered with a ball deep into the far post and Shay Stansfield rose at the far post to head home.
Heys had introduced Luke Mann and new striker signing Finlay Stafford before the corner was taken and the latter was soon into the fray with a strong run, followed by a low shot, which had the keeper scurrying to save at the foot of the post.
Although Irlam were still a danger on the counter it was Heys in the ascendancy as the game entered the final quarter. Mooney-Munoz released Fitzgerald but his shot from 20 yards was over in the 80th minute, then at the death, Stafford whipped in a cross to the edge of the box that Fitzgerald met with a first time shot that was an inch over the bar.
And so, to penalties it went. Both teams scored from their first two spot kicks, Johnston and Rothwell for Irlam and Fitzgerald and Southworth for Heys. It was then the outcome turned in Heys favour. Sullivan saved low from Holt and then Stafford fired home to give Heys a 3-2 lead.
Sullivan then excelled again with a super save low to his right deny Nicholas Taylor. That set the scene for Finley Stanyer to step up and fire home the winner and give Heys an ultimately deserved victory.
Heys return to League action on Saturday when they welcome Lower Breck to Adie Moran Park (3pm) before travelling to Charnock Richard next Tuesday (7.45pm
TEAM: Bradley A Sullivan, Edward Schryburt, Regan Jarrett, David Edwards, Shay Stansfield, Finley Stanyer, Erike Sousa, Lloyd Shobo, Gabriel Mooney-Munoz, Dylan Fitzgerald, Sammy Imessaoudene, Sonny Reeves, Subs: Noah Inneh (for Edwards 80 mins), Luke Mann (for Schryburt 60 mins), Finlay Stafford (for Reeves 60 mins), Kian Sharples (for Jarrett 80 mins),
Jordan Southworth (for Imessaoudene 67 mins)
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