Heyside bounce back in style

SPOT ON: Daniel Dunn

HEYSIDE'S fantastic 16-game unbeaten run in the Manchester League First Division was ended when they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by local rivals Chadderton reserves.

Missing six key players, top-of-the-table Heyside produced their worst performance of the season.

However, Geoff Howard's side did bounce back in midweek, seeing off local rivals and strugglers Uppermill 2-0.

PENALTIES

Daniel Dunn slotted home a brace of penalties for the visitors.

In the derby clash, Chadderton went ahead when stand-in 'keeper Peter Bailey allowed a Gary Molyneux back-pass to roll under his feet and the home forward gratefully accepted the gift by tapping home from close range.

Heyside evened it up in the 20th minute when an Alex Jenkinson corner found defender Josh Briddon unmarked and he bundled home.

Despite an under-par start, the visiting side should have been 2-1 up when top scorer Mark Hopwood was adjudged offside. Moments later he swung a cross over and Jenkinson volleyed against the post from the tightest of angles.

Chadderton responded on the half-hour mark and a rasping drive from 20 yards out was spilled by Bailey, and the home striker swept in the rebound.

The second half was a torrid affair for Heyside as the home side soon scored a third.

As Heyside chased the game, Bailey raced out of his net to clear a Chadderton counter attack and struck the ball against a Chaddy forward, who followed up with a tap-in to make it a deserved 4-1 result.

Heyside are now six points clear of second-placed Prestwich Heys reserves in the table, and have three games remaining.

Heys have still got seven matches to play, so a thrilling title race looks to be in store.

Uppermill were beaten 5-0 at home by Boothstown on Saturday (see Match of the Day), while Hollinwood were beaten 6-2 at home by Heywood St James'.

In the Premier Division, Avro secured an impressive 1-0 victory at Wilmslow Albion and Springhead saw off visiting AFC Monton 3-0.

Results -

Premier Division: Wilmslow Albion 0, Avro 1; Springhead 3, AFC Monton 0. Division One: Hollinwood 2, Heywood St James' 6; Uppermill 0, Boothstown 5; Chadderton Res 4, Heyside 1. Midweek: Altrincham Hale 5, Chadderton Res 4; Manchester Central 3, Hollinwood 1; Uppermill 0, Heyside 2. Division Two: AFC Monton Res 1, Springhead Res 7; Avro Res 5, Dukinfield Town Res 1; Walshaw Sports Res 8, Hollinwood Res 2. Division Three: Pennington Res 3, Heyside Res 3; Springhead 'A' 2, Irlam Steel Res 3.