Holt Heads Heys to victory at Pilkington

A goal in the ninth minute from striker Louis Holt secured another away win for Prestwich Heys at the PSD Stadium home of Pilkington on Wednesday night.

Heys were playing their first game since a 2-1 derby win at Chadderton on Boxing Day while Pilkington were looking for a response having lost to Burscough 6-2 at home the following week.

The visitors wasted no time in getting into the action and were ahead in the ninth minute, a corner on the right was floated in by Louis Holt who rose above the defenders six yards out to head home at the far post past Pilkington keeper Harry Campbell for 1-0.

The game continued as an intense midfield battle, Josh Tinker fired one wide for Heys from twelve yards on twenty minutes and Holt should have doubled the lead a minute later glancing a header wide from close range.

Pilkington responded a couple of minutes later firing in, bringing a good save from Heys keeper Lee White turning it round for a corner.

The game at this point was end to end and on thirty two minutes it was lovely work down the left by Takura Sambizi knocking in a great cross to Dre Taylor three yards out,  but his header went straight into the arms of Campbell.

Back came the hosts two minutes later, great work down the left, White saves another shot that rebounds to Kyle Robinson Murray who fired over the bar from six yards ,this was a warning to Heys as shortly after White makes another save but spills the ball and it almost trickles over the line, he tracked back just in time.

Prestwich had the final chance of the half, Sambizi firing one in twenty five yards in agonisingly going wide of the far post.

The visitors went in at half time a goal up but knowing they were being pushed by a Pilkington side who had been in a run of poor form of late and would have to battle hard if they wanted the three points.

Heys manager Ryan Hutchinson made a couple of changes at half time, Bryson Appleton replacing  Alfie Carmichael and Joe Camozzi on for Luke Byron.

It was a scrappy opening quarter with Pilkington enjoying the better of the midfield battle, and were unlucky not to be level on sixty three minutes when Tom Patrick fired over from six yards.

As the half continued Heys slowly got back in control with substitute Appleton at the heart of it down the right, Rob Worrall fired one in on sixty eight minutes keeper Campbell  parried it but no Heys player could follow up.

Luke Findlow made an impressive run shortly after but his shot was blocked, and Appleton breezed through the defence on the right crossing for Holt and his shot brought a save from Campbell in the Pilkington goal.

It was lovely work again from Appleton down the right on seventy seven minutes finding Holt six yards out with his back to goal and tries an overhead kick that goes over the bar.

The visitors were finishing very strong Appleton, Camozzi and Holt all having shots late on, but had to stay alert as Pilkington fired one in at the near post on eighty four minutes that was deflected wide.

Referee Chris Cooper-Tongue awarded three minutes injury time but Heys held possession and the last chance was Luke Mann firing over on the stroke of full time.

So, a big win for Prestwich Heys who were pushed all the way by a determined Pilkington side, a win that sees them in the top half of the table for the first time this season, additionally seeing them with five wins in the last six league games and they go into Saturdays game with Atherton LR  full of confidence that this run can continue.