A seventy seventh minute strike from Tyler James was enough to give Prestwich Heys an impressive away win in the second pre qualifying round of the FA Cup at the Parker Roofing Memorial Ground home of Penistone Church on Saturday.
Penistone of the North East Counties Premier League came into this one unbeaten this season while Heys were looking for a response after a 5-2 thumping at home to Wythenshawe the previous Tuesday and would have been glad of the diversion from league football with a chance to progress in the cup.
After the said defeat Heys managers Lee O'Brien and James Hampson made full back Nathan Emery captain in the absence of the injured Aaron Chalmers and made four changes bringing in Nathan Bartram Conway, Darcy O'Connor, Kyle Jacobs and Malachi Slaven and the visitors started brightly here it was striker Jack Coop shooting eight yards out parried out by Penistone keeper Harry Ambler which fellow striker Tyler James could not follow up.
It was James again shortly after with another shot cleared by Ambler as Prestwich continued to drive forward, Penistone's first chance was on twenty one minutes when James Stafford headed over the bar.
Heys pressure told on twenty eight minutes when a ball in from James found midfielder Malachi Slaven at the near post who smashed it past Ambler from six yards to put the visitors into a deserved lead.
Back came the home side trying to get a foot hold in the game and it was Leon Hurles Brook bringing a save out of Heys keeper Jordan Hadlow but as they tried to press Heys upped a gear next it was Matt Davies on thirty seven minutes bringing a save from Ambler and shortly before half time Coop was unlucky not to get on the end of a dangerous cross into the box.
As the teams went in for the half time break Penistone knew they would need to do much more if they wanted to get anything out of this game and whilst coming out of the blocks quickly it was Heys defender Regan Brown heading over the bar on fifty one minutes followed by Coop sticking the ball in the net shortly after but the referee rules for offside.
Matt Davies who was a nuisance for the home defence all afternoon, was next with a twenty-five-yard drive on the hour but saw his shot go wide and as the wind got up full back Brad Sixsmith knocked a great ball into the box for Tyler James who's shot went agonisingly wide, this was all one-way traffic now Heys dominating every department with the impressive Kyle Jacobs pulling all the strings.
Coop again on seventy two minutes who did everything but score brought another save from Ambler, the pressure finally told though five minutes later Davies on the right finds James and smashes it bottom right with Penistone keeper Ambler having no chance to the delight of the travelling support.
Penistone tried to respond through Cameron Simpson firing over the bar from twenty yards but Prestwich were standing tall here Kaiden Barlow replaced Coop and got straight into the action laying the ball off for fellow sub Kayle Power who fired over the bar and Barlow himself hit a free kick over the bar before the referee blew for full time.
This was an impressive display by Prestwich Heys so much so the home fans applauded them off the pitch at the end, a massive response from the previous game and if they can take this form into the league, it could be a very interesting season but for now they look forward to playing in the first qualifying round in the FA Cup and thoroughly deserved it was.