Prestwich Heys...6 Pennington...0

HEYS racked up their biggest league win of the season on Saturday as they swept aside Pennington with a confident display against the division's basement side, writes Scott White.

The afternoon began on a sombre note as Heys held a minute's silence to pay their respects to the late Ramsbottom United Manager and long time friend of

the club, Ken Bridge, who died suddenly the previous Tuesday evening.

When play began, it didn't take long for Heys to stamp their authority on the game as they found themselves a goal up within minutes when Brandon Jolly beat the offside trap to finish well to settle the home side's resolve.

The pressure continued as Heys bossed possession and stretched the visiting defence time after time.

Just when everyone had settled for a solitary one-goal lead, Heys made a crucial breakthrough. Tommy Hannam made a beautifully-timed tackle deep inside his own half before playing a pinpoint ball into the inside left channel for Anthony Jackson to run onto. The youngster fended off a strong challenge before netting confidently and home nerves were settled at the break.

Jolly had been a constant pain to the Pennington defence all

afternoon and his strong running caused the first of many panics in the opening stages of the second half.

Steve Abbott replaced Mark O'Brien as Heys shuffled the pack, and he almost made an immediate impression when he latched onto good work from Barnes and Greenhouse to shoot powerfully, but the 'keeper made a great save to deny the pacy Heys' striker.

On 64 minutes the third goal, which effectively sealed the game, arrived. A long ball forward was deftly laid off by Barnes to Jolly, whose angled shot found the net.

Tommy Ruddock and Simon Kluj replaced Eddie Barnes and Jackson as Pennington began to fade and Heys showed a ruthless streak in doubling their lead before the final whistle.

Ant Greenhouse was instrumental in the fourth when his excellent run and cross found Alex Ritchie, who found the net with a crisp finish.

Abbott shot narrowly wide before Prestwich went nap with a memorable effort from Jolly, who broke down the left before unleashing a thunderbolt which found the far corner of the net to claim a well deserved hat-trick.

Heys were now knocking the ball about with impunity, and the sixth goal was claimed by Ritchie, though Greenhouse was the architect as another of his strong runs culminated in a Beckhamesque cross to the near post which

Ritchie netted with aplomb.

PRESTWICH HEYS: Johnston, O'Brien, Brierley, Hannan, Hannam, Barnes, Greenhouse, Kavanagh, Ritchie, Jackson, Jolly. Subs : Abbott, Ruddock, Kluj.

Heys now look forward to a local derby tomorrow when Elton Fold travel down to Sandgate for a League clash (kick-off 2.30pm).

Heys Reserves were less successful, going down 2-1 at Springhead.