AIR MILES MANCHESTER LEAGUE GILGRYST CUP

WILMSLOW ALBION ...2, PRESTWICH HEYS ... 3: TWO weeks ago, Heys beat Royton Town in a game that was arguably their best performance of the season.

Last Saturday, that was surpassed as they progressed through to the semi-final of the league's major cup competition with an extra time win by the odd goal in five.

Heys went into the game with a side decimated by injuries, illness and suspension, but the way that all fourteen players that were used worked tirelessly for each other, speaks volumes for their desire to succeed.

Wilmslow are a side full of experience and are quite prepared to try and dominate with their physical presence, but Heys put them on the back foot after six minutes when Danny Norton gave them the lead with a shot, that found the back of the net via the inside of the post.

The lead, though, was short lived as Flanaghan scrambled the ball home following a rebound from Heys keeper, Colion Scott. Tackles of a dubioius nature were coming on a regular basis from the home side, but Heys stuck rigidly to their principles of playing good football. They went behind on 19 minutes when Brereton gave the home side the lead. This, they held up to the break, but Heys had done enough attacking themselves to suggest that the game was still there for them to progress to their second semi-final place of the season.

The physical attitude from Wilmslow saw five of their players cautioned, in fact, some were lucky not to be sent off, Mercer replaced Love on the hour and Massey came on for Norton. However, his presence was brief as he was injured in a tackle after only 60 seconds of action.

This was the pivotal point of the game as Adie Moran, in his first game of the season, came on and immediately changed the course of the game. His experience gained over the years was put to good use and it was he who was instrumental in setting up the equaliser, when he won possession in a crowded mid-field and sent Mark Denham clear.

A fierce left shot gave the keeper no chance of saving. Back on level terms with 15 minutes to go, Heys were now in full control but as the minutes passed, their defence was superb with Tim Stokes and Marvin Walters outstanding. No further addition to the score and extra time started in fading light.

The main attribute this season has been fitness and this was very much in evidence as Heys were now controlling the game, and they took the lead when Brierley, for once forsaking his defensive duties, crossed for Mercer to head in at the far post. Dydyna was making good runs up the right and this was keeping Wilmslow well and truly on the defensive. Garrick was denied a penalty when crudely brought down in the area, and the second period saw the home side visibly tiring.

Lyons and Leonard kept control in midfield, but the man of the match was undoubtedly Morgan. The final whistle went and Heys were through, and their performance was testiment to the overall progression during the season.

PRESTWICH HEYS: Scott, Stokes, Brierley, Dydyna, Walters, Leonard, Lyons, Love, Denham, Norton, Garrick. Subs: Mercer, Massey, Moran.

The reserves avenged their recent open trophy defeat by beating Atherton Town 3-1, with goals coming from Heveran (2) and Monks. The win moves them up to fourth in Division Two.

The youth sides both played on Sunday with the A team losing 2-1 to New Mills, and the B team going down 2-1 at Morecambe. This weekend, the A team are away to Euxton Villa and he B team at home to Rochdalians kick-off 1.30pm.

A welcome addition to Heys back room staff was confirmed last weekend, when Derek Miles, previously physio with conference side Leigh RMI agreed to join the club. Derek is local and his experience will be vital to Heys as they seek to build on the platform achieved so far this season.