No pubs near the ground for this one so no pre match pub tour on this Bank Holiday Monday but old habits die hard as four of us arrive at 145 for the 3pm kick for an early beer but had to wait outside for the turnstiles to open we stand chatting to the guy on the gate about our clubs fortunes so far this season and nervous as I felt, Saturday's 4-1 win against Winsford was a massive turning point and anything was possible on 'derby day'
We entered the ground and head to the bar behind the goal, talk was concern of a couple of 'absentees' from the regular Heys starting line-up today which included Jack Coop who started on the bench
With about 20 mins to go it became apparent that we would have a good turnout of fans for this one today, and a few of us decided to head to the terrace near the half way line to make an 'away end', a few text messages were sent to tell others coming where we were stood along with shouting at anyone wearing red to head in our direction! and by kick off we had 30 plus stood in our area and chants of 'we love you Prestwich' and 'come on Prestwich' were in full voice .
The response from the home supporters was a lone 5 year old banging a drum shouting 'come on Avro' for whatever reason the home fans didn't seem to be 'up for the banter' today but we knew we had to get behind the team as this wasn't going to be easy. I've always maintained for away games it's important that we all stand or sit together where possible as it CAN make a difference, but would it be today?.
The first half is short on clear cut chances for our boys and it's a typical Derby day game with some tasty challenges flying in and a worring clash of heads that saw captian Brad Sixmith substituted and true, Avro were shading it but we queue for our half time beer thinking we are more than in a game here and you just never know.
Into the second Avro look the stronger to start with and we are fearing the worst but on the Jack Coop enters the arena and things start to go up a gear, and we can sense it in the crowd as we get more vocal, we were mounting the pressure but had to be careful the other end as Avro were catching us on the break but new keeper Ryan Livesey was a rock, nothing was getting past him and in front of it James Dwyer was at the heart of everything we did.
Jamie Hill nearly puts us in front just skimming the right-hand post after shooting from the left, the agony is on everyone's faces , everyone was glued now at the intensity of our play, and then, the long ball over from Dwyer finds Coop and with the keeper closing down fast he rolls the ball bottom left and into the net.
Everyone is going mental in our end and after jumping madly for what seemed an lifetime a bloke kindly hands me my keys back that flew out of my pocket and onto the floor (cheers pal whoever you were!).
The last eight minutes seemed like an eternity but we should have added a second as the returning legend Max White misses a header unmarked from close range.
Injury time Avro get a corner but again Livesey catches easily, and finally the referee blows, our first away win of the season and what a place to get it. Man for man magnificent as the players receive a standing ovation at the end and you can see Matt Barnes is clearly loving it.
Photo by Beth Lee
It's such a shame the game is not on a Saturday and we can't really make a night of it but a few of us sit in the bar afterwards get our breath back and reflect, our season has now well and truly started, a late winner in a local derby is the most amazing feeling that we have all been denied for so long with the pandemic, football is most definitely back.
I hear the question asked which was better?, Bury away last season or this today?, it's something that will be debated in the clubhouse and bars for a long time to come, but whatever your answer what we do know is in the big games like this we love to rock the applecart and I know we will ruffle a few more feathers before this season's out.
MATCH REPORT
Photo by Beth Lee
An 82nd minute strike by substitute Jack Coop marched Prestwich Heys on to Bank Holiday derby glory against Avro at the Vestacare Stadium on Monday.
Heys were in confident mood after beating Winsford United 4-1 on Saturday thus securing the first league win of the season and looked eager to carry on where they left off here as early as the fourth minute when James Dyer fired over from 20 yards after good work by wing back Krisel Prifti.
Avro were eager to show this was going to be a competitive afternoon when striker Louis Potts brought a save from recent Heys signing Ryan Livesey just after and back came the visitors as Prifti fired over a free kick shortly after that..
Concern in the Heys contingent of the crowd followed on seventeen minutes as a clash of heads left midfield captain Brad Sixsmith down with a nasty head wound and had to be replaced shortly afterwards by Oscar Campbell with centre half James Dwyer being passed the captains armband.
Both sides continued to battle to get the upper hand in midfield with the game starting to reflect its 'derby day' build up with some strong challenges going in and it was becoming apparent that this was going to be a very tight and close game with both teams really going for it.
Heys Anthony Hall saw another free kick go over the bar on 28 minutes and Avro going close on the stroke of half time with a cross come shot also over the bar and so ended a goal less first half with few clear-cut chances but plenty of endeavour from both sides and one sensed this was a warm up for what was to be served after the break.
Into the second half and it was the home side who started the brighter and Heys keeper Livesey was really beginning to show why manager Matt Barnes had brought him to the club making a great save on 57 minutes and cutting out a dangerous cross from Avro striker Joe Rathbone on 66 minutes and also in front of the keeper centre half James Dwyer was excelling in the captain's arm band in a commanding display and as the half went on this helped increase Heys intensity in the game as they started to get on top.
On the hour striker Jack Coop replaced Anthony Hall and Heys quickly stepped up a gear with a series of chances seeing full back Joe Rothwell on 66 minutes shooting 18 yards out on the right bringing a save out of Avro keeper Jordan Latham with Latham again getting down to a 20-yard shot from Krisel Prifti just after.
A lovely move followed on 74 minutes for the visitors with Coop finding Rothwell and returned the ball to Coop who dragged his shot wide left from 12 yards, the pressure was mounting but Avro still battling hard were keeping Heys alert at the back as the game was flowing and just lacking a goal.
It was Jamie Hill next to show for Heys on 80 minutes with a fantastic run down the left cutting inside and launching a terrific shot from 18 yards that had Avro keeper Latham beaten but clipped the right-hand post and bounced clear.
Just two minutes later the deadlock was broken as a long ball over from the impeccable James Dwyer found Jack Coop 18 yards out who beat keeper Latham to the ball and calmly slotted past him into the back of the net sending the large Heys contingent wild.
It was the visitors who continued to press with Coop shooting over from 30 yards shortly after and substitute Max White missing a header when unmarked 6 yards out.
Avro rallied with Ryan Livesey saving an 18-yard shot in the dying embers and finally the referee blew for full time to the relief of the visiting supporters delighted with two wins over the bank holiday period and a clearly delighted manager Matt Barnes joined in the celebrations with players and fans at the end, and one senses Prestwich have now settled down in the Counties Premier League after a difficult start and can look forward to progressing in the forthcoming weeks.