Prestwich Heys 1 Leigh Athletic 0, Manchester League Premier Division (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Prestwich Heys 1 Leigh Athletic 0, Manchester League Premier Division

4:27pm Wednesday 18th March 2009

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DANIEL Murray’s touch diverted James Barker’s drive past the Latics keeper as Heys notched up their third win on the bounce on Saturday.

Playing with a swagger seen only in glimpses so far this season, Heys were confident of taking advantage of Leigh’s poor form on the road.

But the strong wind swirling around Sandgate Road was making life rather difficult for Liam Morrissey’s men as they struggled to get out of their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes.

Heys keeper Paul Murphy was in fine form as he touched an early Leigh free kick on to the bar as the ball moved wickedly through a powerful gust.

The home side managed a couple of attacks themselves when playing the ball around on the deck as Chris Jepson’s teasing low cross was scrambled clear by the Latics defenders.

And when a toe-poke back to the visiting keeper brought an indirect free-kick from 10 yards, Mat Jolly’s lay-off to Daniel Murray was deflected to safety as the Leigh wall charged forward in unison.

Feeling pleased to get through to half time unscathed, Heys looked to take full advantage of the conditions after the restart, but the wind had more or less blown itself out by the time the teams retook the field.

Jepson’s volley on the turn was saved in the 50th minute before Jon Monks’ foray up the pitch resulted in another collect for the Leigh keeper.

The breakthrough finally came on the hour when James Barker’s powerful drive got the slightest of touches off Murray which was just enough to take the ball past the Latics goalkeeper.

The visitors responded well to the setback and could consider themselves a little unfortunate not to get back on level terms when a forward executed a perfect air shot with Murphy’s goal at his mercy.

This latest win for a resurgent Heys lifted Morrissey’s side up one place to ninth in the Premier Division rankings as a visit to Lancashire Shield finalists Rochdale Sacred Heart awaits on Saturday. HEYS: Murphy, Monks, Barker, Morris, Taylor, O’Shaughnessy, Edward (Hoggard), Pilkington (Webster), D Murray (Grant), M Jolly, Jepson.

l In Division One, Bury Amateurs had an amazing 10-0 win at home to Manchester Juniors while in the Murray Shield, Stand Athletic were beaten 1-0 at home to West Didsbury.

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