In these testing times of Coronavirus it was a strange feeling last Saturday for our first pre season game against our new affiliate club Beechfield United of the Manchester League Premier.
Under current legislation the game had to be played behind closed doors and so with just the media team and a couple of volunteers it was a strange atmosphere as the teams took to the pitch for this early afternoon kick off.
I receive the team news from manager Matt Barnes before the game for my twitter commentary and look with interest as he has a team for the first 45 minutes and almost an entirely different one for the second such is the size now of our first team squad.
Heys start brightly with new boy Nathan Strong signed from Atherton LR last week having an early chance hitting the side netting, and Alfie Belcher making a welcome return after a spell in the USA hitting a free kick over the bar then shortly after knocking a lovely ball over for another new signing ex Chadderton captain Jack Turnbull who just couldn't get a toe on it to steer past the opposing keeper.
But it was the visitors who drew first blood on the half hour with Jordan Jones latching on to a through ball to lash past Russ Saunders from 12 yards which certainly gave Heys food for thought that Beechfield were not here simply to make up the numbers and continued to press the home side after the goal.
The equaliser soon came though on 38 minutes when great work down the right by Jamie Sinnott who's pace and work rate throughout the half were causing trouble for the visitors crossed into the 6 yard box for a tap in for Nathan Strong who was already raising eyebrows with his performance.
Brad Sixsmith challenging photo by club photographer Bethany Lee
So 1-1 at the break as Matt made wholesale changes for the second half with the like of Reece Lyndon Jack Coop Jamie Hill and Niall Sultan coming on amongst others.
It was Sultan who had a chance early in the second half after great work by Jamie Hill on the left a low cross just evaded the winger and couldn't get the final touch to steer it home.
Heys were pressing though and the ball came out to striker Jack Coop who did what he does best and smashed a shot into the top right from 18 yards to put the home side in front on 52 minutes.
Soon after Coop got the third after captain Jacob Holt was brought down in the box and the striker converted the spot kick.
With subs coming on and off as happens in pre season workouts the final 20 minutes were a bit scrappy but full credit to Beechfield who's heads never dropped and kept battling to the final whistle and so 3-1 to Heys at the end and a successful first run out of the season was complete.
Matt Barnes was happy after the game stating the players had done what was asked of them, and I understand the reason for the large numbers as he is looking for a squad that will fight for places. I believe the early signs are we have not only quality but also strength and depth which will be vital over the coming season.
Also with the Beechfield link up it gives players returning from injury and those on the fringe of the first team some much needed game time and this, coupled with Nick Simister's new under 18's side who beat AFC Blackpool 4-0 in an impressive display the following day you get the sense that things are really starting to come together, and we have reason to feel very optimistic for the coming season.
I hear our Lancashire League cup final v Lancaster City postponed from last season may be taking place in September likely to be at the Lancashire FA ground in Leyland where the semi final also took place.
As you will have heard by now we again compete in the FA Vase next season with the 1st qualifying round Saturday 19 September but our name did not come out when the draw was made for the FA Cup which was a shame but we have more than enough fixtures to keep us occupied!.
Onwards and Upwards
Rick
James Dwyer in action photo by club photographer Bethany Lee