Heys winning run ends at Abbey Hey

A goal from former Heys man Michael Burke on the stroke of half time was enough to give struggling Abbey Hey a shock 2-1 win  against Prestwich Heys at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heys were on an impressive run of one defeat in the last ten games in all competitions against an Abbey Hey side without a win in the league since 25 August.

Heys made three changes from Saturdays 9-1 thrashing of Maltby Main in the FA Vase bringing back Louis Holt, Josh Tinker and Takura Sambizi as they looked to continue a run that had pushed them up to 14^th in the table.

It was the hosts quick out of the blocks in the second minute with a cross cleared out by Heys James Badrock, and Heys first chance was on eight minutes with a Rob Worrall free kick saved by Abbey keeper Connor Beard.

Warning signs for Heys came in the fifteenth minute when the hosts had the ball in the net but the linesman's flag was up for offside, back came Prestwich with shots from Tinker and Sambizi and while Heys were enjoying more possession Abbey were out muscling them being first to every 50/50 challenge.

 The deadlock was broken on thirty seven minutes when a good move found Hartley Barrett down the right who blasted a shot bottom left from twelve yards past keeper Lee White to put the home side 1-0 up.

Worse was to follow for Prestwich on the stroke of half time when ex Heys striker Michael Burke got in on the act firing low past White from eight yards for 2-0 and suddenly Saturday's FA Vase heroics were a distant memory being second best in the first half and with it all to do.

Assistant manager Chris Lowe made two changes at half time bringing on Alfie Belcher and Dre Taylor to replace Holt and Tinker and it was Belcher straight into the action with the ball in the net just after the break but referee Titus Tressider ruled offside.

Heys were trying to get a grip of midfield but were finding it tough going and the hosts were keeping White in the Heys goal busy with a couple of shots just before the hour mark, but on seventy minutes full back Harry Redknapp given a ten minute sin bin for descent after the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, Belcher bringing a save out of Abbey keeper Beard.

Controversey followed five minutes later when Sambizi broke through on the left for Prestwich and was caught by the Abbey defender but carried on and as he cut inside referee Tressider pulled play back for a free kick rater than playing advantage much to the anger of the travelling Heys support.

Heys rallied in the final quarter, and finally looked like the team that had impressed so well in recent weeks, they were rewarded four minutes from time, again it was Sambizi who broke through, was brought down just inside the box and awarded a penalty, promptly smashing the ball past keeper Beard for 2-1 and one thought a potential grandstand finish however despite five minutes injury time awarded it was the final action of the right as the final whistle was blown..

So, a disappointing night for Prestwich Heys with the damage being done in the first half where they were out fought by a spirited Abbey Hey team.Credit though as they battled back hard after the break but the winning run comes to an end and they now need to regroup for another tough game on Saturday where they visit league leaders Padiham ko 3pm.