Despite a frantic final ten minutes and Lee Grimshaw chance cleared off the line Prestwich Heys could not find a way through to beat Squires Gate in a 0-0 draw at a windy Brian Addison Stadium on Saturday.
After two successive draws in the league Heys were looking for three points to further ensure safety in a tight North West Counties Premier League for another season and Manager Matt Barnes resisted temptation to start the resigned midfielder James Dwyer who started on the bench.
It was the visitors who were quickly out of the blocks with winger Bailey Dawes darting down the left but his cross evaded everyone zipping past the post and in the 5th minute Jack Coop fired over the bar from 25 yards.
Heys were getting control of the midfield early with Greg Daniels looking lively as the wind made life difficult for both sides and as a result chances were few and far between although James Boyd had a shot cleared off the line on 36 minutes after rounding Heys keeper Russ Saunders.
Heys also threatened shortly before the break and again it was the busy Dawes on the left crossing in and started a frantic few seconds in the crowded penalty box with several Heys players trying to get a shot in before the ball was finally cleared.
So goalless at the break and Prestwich continued to have the upper hand in the second half but struggling to find that final pass to break the deadlock despite Greg Daniels on the right on 65 minutes beating a defender his cross was cut out by Squires Gate keeper Alan Mclachlan
Heys Captain Brad Sixsmith replaced Sam Dickinson as the Heys midfield pressed up and Bailey Dawes again using his pace this time down the middle after a Squires gate corner was cleared by the Heys back four he beats two defenders, but can't get a shot in as keeper Mclachlan runs out and shortly after it was Daniels again who's deep cross just evaded everyone at the far post and you sensed one goal would win this game and it was likely to be the visitors.
So, into the last ten minutes and tension mounted on 84 minutes as a shot from Prestwich striker Jack Coop rebounded to Lee Grimshaw on the edge of the box who fired the ball back in and looked to be flying into the net, but to the astonishment of the large Heys contingent in ran Nathan Bartram from nowhere to save the day for the home side clearing off the line.
Photo's by Beth Lee
This rejuvenated Squires Gate who threw everything into the final few minutes hitting the bar with a shot from Okon and Joel Mills could have won it at the death seeing his shot thwarted by Heys keeper Saunders and the game finished goalless with Heys taking a valuable point to cement a place in mid table as we approach the final third of the season.
Comments