Prestwich Heys 1 Gregorians 2, Manchester League Premier Division (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Prestwich Heys 1 Gregorians 2, Manchester League Premier Division

4:41pm Wednesday 25th February 2009

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HEYS continued their good second-half performance from last week as they were narrowly beaten by title contenders Gregorians at Sandgate Road.

Although no points were gained from this encounter, the belief instilled in the players from this showing could prove ultimately more important in battles to come.

Two Heys old boys were back at Sandgate Road with Marvin Walters and Martin Love now sporting the maroon and gold of Greg’s.

But when striker Daniel Murray out-jumped Walters in the seventh minute to glance a cross into the path of Chris Jepson running from deep, the winger beat the keeper with a neat finish only for the goal to be struck off for offside.

Mat Jolly then sent a close range effort over the crossbar as Heys looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

Paul Murphy in the Heys goal stayed alert to smother at the feet of a forward as the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure.

But just as the half-time orange juice was being poured, Heys fell behind as Leon Walters nodded home from close range.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes after the restart when a low cross was turned in to the net at the back post.

This could have signalled the raising of the white flag from Heys, but they dug in and looked for a route back in to the match.

Midfielder David Morris saw an effort from the edge of the box easily collected by the keeper before Adam Edwards caused panic with two telling crosses from the right that had the Gregorians defenders hurriedly clearing their lines.

Heys finally got their goal in the 80th minute when Jepson’s free-kick from the right fell to Mat Jolly, who volleyed into the roof of the net from six yards.

Heys pressed in the final moments as they looked for a dramatic late equaliser, but it was not to be as the visitors held out to collect another three points in their title charge.

If this level of performance can be maintained by his players, manager Liam Morrissey will be confident of getting that elusive win when seventh placed Stockport Georgians visit Sandgate on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

HEYS: Murphy, Monks, Barker, Taylor, O'Shaughnessy, Morris, Edwards (B Jolly), Pilkington (Webster), D Murray, M Jolly (1), Jepson.

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