When the pre-season fixtures were announced a few weeks back a trip to Glossop to play Glossop North End certainly got some of Heys away day support very excited.
Six of us set off on the 1203 from Piccadilly with just a 30-minute direct journey into the country side and it was ironic that the first pub we came to was a Joseph Holt's pub who have the lion share of the pubs in our Prestwich and Whitefield area and the fact that this meant no Guinness for me as the chain no longer sell it was met with amusement from the rest of the lads.
After moving on to an interesting (and very cheap) pub called the Corner Cupboard (found Guinness here!) a short walk from the ground the landlord came over had a chat with us and invited us back for drinks after the game but wished us no luck whatsoever for the game itself!.
This was my first visit to Glossop's ground and I have to say I was impressed it's a really good set up, the pitch was in good nick, a decent sized club house and a fine selection of half-time snacks especially the hot beef and onion roll!, loved it.
What was very impressive was the turnout of Heys fans and we worked out about 26 made the trip which was a brilliant for a pre-season friendly, the sun was out and everyone was having a great catch up. A few of us were also in fine voice and as you can see from my match report below the boys did the job again against a team from a higher league and in all honesty, despite the early set back looked totally at ease against these higher ranked opponents playing some great stuff at times.
It was also noted at the end of the game that some of the home supporters stayed to clap our lads off which I thought was brilliant and wish Glossop North End nothing but the best for the up-and-coming season.
Thanks to Bethany Lee for this photo
After the final whistle a number of us stayed for a couple of beers in the clubhouse and it got me thinking how much I had really missed all this in the last 18 months on a regular basis.
We drifted off back into the town centre via a few hostelries which included the Corner Cupboard pub, the landlord was very excited and soon had a Karaoke set up for his locals. We laughed though because as soon as the karaoke lady put some music on the place was cleared, she never even did a number herself!.
On we went to another pub near the station the Star Inn and 3 of the lads decided to finish the night with a glass of port. All was fine until the bar lady came over with the bill and charged them £16.50 for said three drinks!, you have never seen the colour drain out of three men so quickly though I was informed it was 'vintage', but you would say that wouldn't you!?
So, staggering for the last train home a taxi from Piccadilly back to Prestwich and that was the end of another great trip to whet the appetite for the season and it's safe to say that football comes home every time we go away with Prestwich Heys.
MATCH REPORT
COOP DOUBLE FIRES HEYS TO FREINDLY WIN AT GLOSSOP NORTH END
Two wonder strikes by Jack Coop were enough to secure victory against Northern Premier League Division One East side Glossop North End at the Arthur Goldthorpe Stadium on Saturday.
Heys came into this friendly after a confident display in a 2-1 win at Silsden the previous week and wasted no time here quickly getting into the action against opponents currently a league above Heys when next season starts and Manager Matt Barnes again named a strong side which included a start for under 18s star Ollie Scott a couple of trialists.
Heys striker Jack Coop was lively early on having a shot blocked and winger Niall Sultan looking lively with a cross from the right which the Glossop keeper did well to hold on to and the visitors were breaking quickly playing with exciting pace and having the upper hand in midfield.
So it was somewhat a surprise on 19 minutes when a long ball into the box caused confusion between the Heys back four and goalkeeper Russ Saunders enabling the Glossop striker to nip in and fire the home side into a 1-0 lead.
Worse was to follow shortly after as winger Niall Sultan was substituted after picking up a hamstring injury but undeterred Heys pressed with the two trailists making an impression going forward especially down the right on 36 minutes bringing a great save out of the Glossop keeper with Jack Coop firing over the resulting corner.
Heys finished the half strongly with a possible penalty shout as one of the trialists was brought down and just before half time a wonderful ball by Heys full back Nathan Emery found Jack Coop but his shot only found the side netting and you sensed with the visitors on top by half time they were more than capable of turning this round after the break
More injury woe early in the second half for Heys with winger Jamie Hill also limping off with an ankle injury but disappointment was short lived as on 54 minutes an impromptu moment from striker Jack Coop who decided to try a chip on the left from 30 yards and saw this fly over the unaware home keeper and into the net for the equaliser much to the delight of the sizeable contingent of Heys fans in the crowd.
Prestwich continued to press and it was Jack Coop again on 62 minutes with another opportunist moment from a throw in and smashing a half volley on the left from 20 yards again past the hapless Glossop keeper to put Heys 2-1 up which was no more than they deserved.
From here the visitors looked comfortable dominating the middle and when Glossop rarely did threaten from a couple of corners centre half James Dwyer was in resolute commanding form.
Heys threatened again late on with the trialist and Jack Coop both firing wide and when the referee blew for full time this 2-1 victory was no surprise at all against a lacklustre Glossop North End side who struggled throughout and this was another great pre season work out, and although a couple of injuries were picked up to key players it is hoped these will not be long term.