Whyte double strike gives Ramsbottom win against Prestwich Heys

A second half wonder strike from Harvey Whyte was enough to claim a 3-0 victory for Ramsbottom United against in form Prestwich Heys at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heys were in a confident mood going into this one having beaten league leaders Padiham 2-0 on Saturday, while hosts Ramsbottom were looking to make it seven wins in a row after beating Abbey Hey 3-0.

Manager Ryan Hutchinson unsurprisingly named an unchanged side and Prestwich started the game confidently Luke Byron firing one in as early as the forth minute which Rammy keeper  Bradley Rose saved easily, Rose was called on again shortly after to clear the ball from the on running Mo Doro.

Referee Kaan Hayes was at the centre of it all on nine minutes awarding the hosts a penalty when Finn Wallbank was brought down in the box, however the linesman called him over and after a consultation a corner was awarded from which Jacob Holland Wilkinson headed onto the bar and was cleared by the Heys defence.

Heys responded on seventeen minutes with Takura Sambizi firing a shot in from the left eight yards out which keeper Rose got down to save,and shortly after it was danger again from the visitors on the left as Louie Hutchinson crossed finding the head of Louis Holt but his effort went over the bar.

The game at this point was quite even but it was Ramsbottom who broke the deadlock on twenty six minutes a ball in on the left was mishandled by Heys keeper Lee White and spun to Harvey Whyte who fired it straight back into the net from close range to put the  hosts 1-0 up.

Referee Hayes was the focal point again on twenty nine minutes at the other end waving away a big penalty appeal when Heys Luke Byron was brought down in the box to the frustration of the travelling Heys fans and shortly after, it was Byron again on the right firing in just wide of the near post as Prestwich responded well to being a goal down.

A big moment in the game was shortly before half time whin a great ball in on the left found the head of Holt who brought a terrific save from Rammy keeper Badley Rose tipping over the bar to keep the hosts in front.

1-0 to the hosts at the break but very little between these two sides at this point and Heys were first to attack after the interval the ball going to the edge of the box where Holt just couldn't connect.

Ramsbottom responded on fifty five minutes Holland Wilkinson down the left bringing a save from White, but at this point the game had become a bit scrappy in the heavy rain as the game became a midfield battle.

It was United though who raised it a level and were further in front on sixty seven minutes when a ball in from the right saw Richard Baker nip in front of the Heys defence to fire past White from three yards for 2-0.

From this moment Rammy never looked back and pressed Prestwich hard who by this time had little response, the hosts increased their lead on seventy seven minutes, Heys fail to clear the ball and the ball came out to Whyte who fired a terrific volley from twelve yards giving White in the Heys goal no chance for 3-0.

Heys only shot on target in the second half was a Luke Byron effort two minutes from time from the right easily saved by Rose and after just three minutes of injury time referee Hayes blew for full time and a 3-0 win for Ramsbottom United which put them top of the North West Counties League table.

So, a disappointing defeat in the end for Prestwich Heys who couldn't repeat the first half endeavor's after the break and the hosts ran out deserved winners, however they have an early chance to put this right as they play Ramsbottom again in the home fixture at Adie Moran Park this Saturday ko 3pm.