Cleator Moor 3-5 Prestwich Heys 18 Feb 20

SHAWCROSS TREBLE SEALS HEYS WIN IN THRILLER

A 92nd minute free kick from Heys winger Will Shawcross sealed a 5-3 victory at JBV Park fell home of Cleator Moor Celtic on Saturday.

Heys came into this one looking a return to form after a 4-1 defeat at Emley last time out and on a wet blustery day things didn't go according to plan early on for Matt Barnes side.

A ball in from the left split the Heys defence and found Callum Birdsall 12 yards out who shashed it home unmarked past debutant Heys keeper Mackenzie Chapman.

Heys came back strongly however with a series of chances,with Will Shawcross looking lively down the right cutting inside to shoot wide on 7 minutes quickly followed by a cross to James Dwyer bringing a save out of Cleator keeper Tom Sharpe.

Heys continued to press and a big chance for Heys centre half Adie Bellamy from a corner on 22 minutes the ball falling to his feet 6 yards out but couldn't steer the ball past Sharpe.

It was Bellamy again at the heart of it on 37 minutes with a lovely cross field pass to Jamie Hill who's shot brought a save from Tom Sharpe.Sharpe was called into action again shortly after with a wonderful save tipping over the bar from another Will Shawcross shot.

The wave of Heys pressure told on 40 minutes with a ball over from the left found Shawcross who unleashed a shot from 20 yards top left past Sharpe for the equalizer.

Heys were now hitting top gear and took the lead in bizzare fashion just 2 minutes later when Heys were awarded a free kick on the edge of the centre circle. Full back Nathen Emery spotted Cleator Moor keeper Tom Sharpe off his line and launched a wind assisted shot that sailed over everyone and into the net to put Prestwich 2-1 up at the break.

So a half time brew and Heys were straight back into the 2nd half pressing the home side hard and the third goal soon came on 53 minutes and Shawcross it was again firing another shot from 20 yards which flew in off the underside of the crossbar to put the visitors 3-1 up.

Heys were playing some great stuff with Dwyer and Rothwell pulling the strings in the middle and Shawcross and Hill on the flanks were piling on the pressure with pace and power.

It was Hill down the left on the hour who put in a lovely cross to Heys striker Jack Coop who brought another save from Sharpe in the Cleator Moor goal.

Despite the home side trying to get back into it Heys forth of the afternoon arrived on 65 minutes when Shawcross played a lovely ball through the middle to Greg Wills who ran in and slotted neatly past Sharpe and one thought the points were safe for the visitors.

Back came Cleator Moor though on 68 mnutes a lovely 20 yard strike Stuart Shaw flew in past Heys keeper Chapman and shortly after a somewhat fortuitous strike from Ryan Hall hit the underside of the crossbar bounced down hit Chapman on the back and rolled into the net to make it 4-3 to Heys.

The final 13 minutes were a frantic affair on an increasingly heavy pitch caused by rainfall throughout the afternoon Heys started to look a bit leg weary but fought off the home pressure and a 2nd yellow card for Stuart Shaw saw the Cleator Moor Man sent of with a couple of minutes to go.

So with the clock running down Heys got a free kick on the edge of the box in the 92nd minute and yes,it was the man of the match Will Shawcross who stepped up and blasted the ball bottom right past Sharpe to win the game 5-3 for Heys and complete his hat-trick .

Further late drama saw the home side leave the pitch with 9 men after Callum Jackman was sin binned for dissent for the remaining 3 minutes.

Heys Manager Matt Barnes will be pleased overall with this display and despite conceding three goals the visitors were in control of this one for long periods over all and the Heys fans who attended this longest away trip of the season travelled home with smiles on their faces.