PRESTWICH Heys and Radcliffe had a stern pre-season workout at Adie Moran Park where a late goal by a Boro trialist gave the visitors a 2-1 win.

The heatwave of recent times was forgotten as mixed conditions blighted the match, with heavy rain, wind and spells of sunshine.

Fortunately, after last season’s problems with waterlogging, Heys have carried out extensive work on the pitch in the summer.

Prestwich had the earliest opportunities, with Justin Pickering firing wide and Michael Itela seeing his shot deflected for a corner.

At the other end a couple of chances fell for Boro but Heys keeper Michael Smith was not troubled by them.

The first goal came from Radcliffe’s Scott Metcalfe, whose whipped-in free kick eluded everyone and found its way into the bottom corner of the goal.

The second half started off positively for Radcliffe as they maintained their momentum, but Rick Smith’s goalbound volley from a corner was cleared off the line by Prestwich’s Jacob Holt.

The Hallmark Security League North Division side then started to come into the game and had their chances, taking one just short of the hour mark.

Substitute Jamie Baguley, who had a postitive impact in the midfield, took aim from distance drilled his shot into the bottom corner past Boro keeper Ollie Martin.

Radcliffe then had their own chances as the game started to open up in the latter stages.

A trialist’s shot from just outside the box was heading for the top corner but Heys keeper Smith made a good save to tip it on to the post and out for a corner.

The hosts started to threaten the Boro goal, and only a great double save from Martin kept the scores level as Prestwich’s Itela had two chances to put them into the lead.

But after a spell of Prestwich pressure, Evo-Stik West Division side Radcliffe found the winner three minutes from time.

A trialist was played through by Ben Wharton in the box for a simple finish into the Prestwich net from close range.

Heys still had time to create one more chance at the end as Martin again had to make a good save to tip Itela’s shot over the bar.

Heys’ league season begins this Saturday with a match at home to Bacup Borough. Kick off at Adie Moran Park is 3pm.

Radcliffe have a friendly at home to Nantwich Town (3pm) and will round off their pre-season programme the following Saturday, back at the Neuven Stadium, when Marske United are the visitors.