A 70th minute strike for Manchester League side Elton Vale was enough to secure victory for the home side in Prestwich Heys latest pre season run out.
On a warm sunny evening with a 645pm kick off and a magnificent playing surface which is a credit to the home side, Matt Barnes again brought a large squad with the intention of getting them match fit and to look players who will be fighting for a starting place when the season gets under way.
In a side that included under 18 players midfielder Ollie Scott forward Jordan Jones and 16 year old keeper Joe Keane who had all had impressed the previous weekend with affiliate club Beechfield United, Heys wasted no time from the kick off attacking the home defence.
It was Jones who burst into action down the right at early as the 5th minute after receiving the ball from Alfie Belcher hit a low hard cross into the box to find Belcher again who having continued his shot from six yards to put the visitors 1-0 up.
This began a period of slick passing play notably from Heys legend Max White who was making his first appearance of pre season after missing Saturdays clash with Beechfield, was bossing the midfield and we saw some of the familiar quality long passing so accurate in his game.
In fact a lovely moment on 15 minutes as White dispossessed former Heys man Dom Slaven in the middle of the park and hit a wonderful pass through to the impressive Belcher again but this time saw his shot just go wide of the post.
Heys pressed but an early set back as centre half Max Fenton limped off on 25 minutes with a knee injury and was replaced by Reece Lyndon who would normally play as a forward but was on covering centre half this evening.
So as the half went on Elton were trying to get back into it with a couple of half chances but keeper Joe Keane was looking confident when called into action.
Fellow under 18 Ollie Scott was again looking impressive in the middle battling for every 50/50 ball and not scared to get in the mix and early indications are that he could become a fans favourite very quickly if he continues with this grit and determination.
The same effort could be said for full back Nathan Emery and Jamie Sinnott who were looking dangerous on the ball but on the stroke of half time Elton hit back and yes it was the earlier mentioned Dom Slaven who reminded us of the quality he still has knocking a lovely ball over the top into the box for the Elton Striker to latch on to and slot past Keane from close range.
So 1-1 at the break and Matt Barnes made three half time changes bringing on keeper Russ Saunders along with forwards Corey Knight and Francesco Frangillo.
Heys struggled to find the feet in the second half as more substitutions were made Holroyd and Sixsmith also coming on soon after the break and Elton took advantage on the hour when again the visitors defence was split with a ball through the middle and a shot past Saunders from 12 yards.
But Heys hit back immediately as another substitute recent signing Nathan Strong was brought down in the box and Joe Rothwell who had put in a determined display all evening slotted home the penalty for 2-2.
Elton were enjoying a good 25 minute spell as Heys slick passing play of the first half eluded them and again breached the Heys back four as they were caught cold with a ball to the right hand side and the Elton winger cut inside to shoot past Saunders for 3-2.
Heys rallied late on but Vale held out for the win after a better second half from the home side.
This was another great work out for the squad with fitness rates improving and we look forward with excitement to the coming season with what appears to be options in all positions.
Saturday sees us take on Premier League Silsden in what will be a tough test and my guess is Matt Barnes may play what he intends to be his first eleven come that start of the season in this one ,so it will be an interesting clash....we shall see.
Rick
