After last season's frivolity on the train when we played Penistone in the FA Vase with a pit stop in Huddersfield on the way back that saw us get the last train by the skin of our teeth, we decided this time as a coach was being laid on by the club and a 1045 departure time for the 2pm kick off and only about a 1 hour 15 journey time this would still give up plenty of time for a beer or four in the lovely village before the kick off.
We hit the Old Crown and were pleasantly surprised by the fact it was just £12 for five pints, thus being even cheaper than Glossop a couple of weeks previous, and we joked that we could pretend we forgot the game kicked off at 2pm and rocked up at 3pm for the second half of the match in a state of shock that the first half had already passed.
Suffice to say we headed up the hill towards back towards the ground and I happened to mention to Gary I was a little bit peckish. No sooner had I said this when he immediately whipped out this pie wrapped in foil from what appeared to be a belt bag and said 'have this Rick...it's not any pie it's a Pukka steak pie!'.. I politely decline explaining that it had been in his pocket for four hours located near his crotch area and said I'd rather pop to Greggs located across the road and buy I fresh one which I promptly did.
As I came out of Greggs, I looked across the road to see that a now distraught Gary had not only dropped his Pukka pie but proceeded to then stand in it and continued to walk to the ground with bits of it dropping off his shoe!.
The first half saw our boys battling but looking a bit weary after Thursdays had fought 4-3 win against Daisy Hill and thoughts of the first half's 0-0 stalemate(see match report below) were quickly forgotten when the next round was ordered.
Throughout the first half we could hear music in the distance but not sure from where it was coming. At half time seeing Lloyd had disappeared I ventured into the huge beer garden they have at Penistone and saw him sat quite happily with his pint at a 40th birthday party going on and it turned out the music was an acoustic singer belting out classics from Oasis James the Stone Roses and many more.
Mike Gary and Lloyd enjoying the 40th
Mel who's birthday it was welcomed us all to join in the fun after the game which we duly did and after Penistone got the better of us in the second half we soon returned to the beer garden and when also invited to the buffet laid on, I noticed that our host must have been huge fan of new potatoes with a whole table of them piled high....maybe she ran a spud farm for a living?.
Host Mel and Lloyd The singer carried on playing belting out the classics the beer flowed and despite defeat it was a thoroughly amusing afternoon and such a shame Penistone Church FC are not in our league next season as it's a brilliant away day but by 620pm the coach was calling and we headed back hoping we get Penistone in a cup game again next season.
The Penistone five, Pete Mike Lloyd me and Gary
Speaking of which this was our final outing in a preseason friendly and now we look forward to making history this Saturday when we play our first game in the North West Counties Premier League, the highest we have ever played.
These are very exciting times but a very different kind of vibe for Heys fans this season after being one of the fancied teams for promotion in the last couple of campaigns to now being in a position where we are looking for a season of stability in a strong league that includes Saturday's hosts Northwich Victoria, Macclesfield Town and old foes AFC Liverpool.
So, how will get on?, the first eight to ten league games will give us a good benchmark and with the effort and endeavour we have shown in preseason and some eye-catching new signings like Kingsley Williams, Ryan Shenton and Krisel Prifti along with our established players who got us to this point over the last couple of seasons, makes me feel confident we will be absolutely fine. Matt Barnes thinks so and he is raring to go, as we all are so go forth into the streets and tell everyone you know to get down to Adie Moran Park this Saturday 3pm for the visit of Northwich Vics in this massive game, lets cheer the boys on to our first three points of the season.
UP THE HEYS
OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT
Two second half strikes by Jordan Coduri and Charlie Shephard were enough to ensure victory for Penistone Church against Prestwich Heys in the final warm game before the start of the 2021-22 season.
Heys completed this busy run of fixtures having had a tough work out in a 4-3 win against Daisy Hill just 48 hours earlier and Heys manager Matt Barnes named a side that with the exception of both injured wingers Jamie Hill and Niall Sultan will likely resemble his starting eleven on the opening day.
Penistone started the quicker with a couple of early shots that didn't trouble Heys keeper Russ Saunders in the Heys goal but the visitors were trying to match the endeavour of the home side with fullback Scott Cullen looking lively with a shot that went wide and on 18 minutes striker Jack Coop had a free kick but could only find the Penistone wall.
Penistone began to get the upper hand and were winning the majority of the 50/50 challenges and did have the ball in the net on 26 minutes with a header at the far post from six yards out but the flag went up for offside, warning signs were evident for the visitors.
Despite looking a little leg weary Heys did have some bright moments notably on 39 minutes when new winger signing Krisel Prifti ran 40 yards giving the ball on the left to Anthony Hall who saw his cross blocked by the Penistone defender.
So, it was goalless at half time with both sides struggling in warm temperatures but it was the home side who upped the gears after the break and were soon in front on 53 minutes when a ball from the left came over and it was Jordan Coduri 20 yards out who blasted the ball top right past a despairing Russ Saunders in the Heys goal.
Heys rallied and catching the eye again was Prifti who saw free kick hit the post on the hour having just had a shot blocked after a fine through ball by centre half Adie Bellamy.
Back came Penistone bringing saves from Russ Saunders and it was notable that the other centre half James Dwyer was having a commanding game at the back blocking various efforts in an impressive display.
Ryan Shenton was next to show for Heys with great work to find Nathan Strong on the right who saw his shot saved by Penistone keeper Chris Snaith in what was to be Prestwich's only shot on target in the second half.
Penistone completed the win on 83 minutes when Charlie Shephard latched on to a ball from the left and fired bottom right from 6 yards out past Saunders.
So, a disappointing end to the pre-season campaign with some tired performances likely because of the short turnaround in games but Heys manager Matt Barnes is happy with the preseason on the whole which has included some notable wins against higher ranked opposition like Glossop North End.
With all the friendlies completed we now look forward to the new campaign with excitement starting with a home game against Northwich Victoria at Adie Moran Park Saturday 31 July kick off 3pm where Heys will create history in the North West Counties Premier League the highest level they have ever played at.