Heyside bow to experience

TOE TO TOE: Heyside’s James Taylor (left) nicks the ball away from Matthew Walmsley.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

AMATEUR FOOTBALL:

THREE goals in the space of eight second-half minutes condemned Heyside to defeat in round two of the Huddersfield and District League’s Challenge Cup at a bitterly cold Royton and Crompton 3G.

It was the experience and know-how of Lepton Highlanders that proved so decisive.

A total of 33 places separated the two sides before kick-off, with reigning champions Lepton in fourth place in division one and Heyside just behind pacesetters Shelley in division four.

Yet, in a highly entertaining first half, with quality football to the fore, there was little to separate the sides in terms of ability.

Heyside midfield man Michael Ward contributed much to the ‘ball-on-the-floor’ type of game, the former Manchester City junior benefiting from the extra space afforded to him by higher division opposition.

But there was one high ball that came close to giving Heyside what would have been a shock, if not unexpected lead, five minutes before half-time.

Joe Mannion’s lofted pass from the half-way line picked out Carl Winstanley.

It was 50-50 between Winstanley and the Lepton goalkeeper as to who would reach the ball first. Winstanley did, but his effort landed on to the roof of the net.

It was a close call and Heyside were made to pay as their more illustrious opponents turned up the heat in the second half.

The visitors opened their account after 57 minutes and were three goals to the good soon afterwards, each effort coming as a result of clinical finishing.

Home heads dropped, perhaps understandably, in the knowledge that there was no way back.

Lepton remained equally merciless and bagged another five goals as Heyside threw caution to the wind in an attempt to at least register a goal.

Heyside committee member Mick Cummins said: “We went to sleep and basically lost our shape.

“We could have done with our big frontman Michael McCabe, but he wasn’t available because of work commitments.

“Full marks to Lepton, who are a very good side.”

Watching Heyside felt like stepping back in time in terms of two of their players.

Central defender Jordan Smithies is the son of Steve Smithies, a bustling striker who enjoyed a fruitful amateur career with a number of local clubs in the 1980s and early-1990s.

Scott Rowbottom, Smithies’ partner in the centre of defence, is the son of Ian Rowbottom, who was regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers with a host of clubs in the same period.

Strong in the tackle, Smithies has the same, long-striding gait as his dad.

Rowbottom’s height allowed him to win most of the aerial duels but it is an air of coolness that is so evocative of his goalkeeping father.

Both Rowbottom and Smithies will have learned much from their Lepton central defensive counterparts, who effectively ran the game from the back line.

Looking to the future, there is little doubt that Heyside are destined for greater things if they can hold on to the nucleus of this side.

HEYSIDE: Cummins, Leonard, Craig Winstanley, Ward, Rowbottom, Smithies, C Taylor, J Taylor, Perry, Carl Winstanley, Mannion. Subs: Ryder, Campbell, Bloor.


At the heartbeat of the club

MANY people in local amateur football fall into the category of ‘unsung hero’ or ‘stalwart’ — John Norbury (63) is one of them, writes JOHN GILDER.

His boundless energy and efforts ensure that Heyside FC remain on the local league map.
Norbury has held the post of club secretary for 25 years, the last 11 of which have seen Heyside, formerly known as Weaver’s Arms, play in the Huddersfield and District League.

His main duty is to oversee the efficient running of this small but resilient club by attending league meetings, training sessions and, obviously, match days.

Oh, and there’s the little matter of getting the kit washed and ironed after every game!

Norbury, a driver with Oldham Council’s Street Scene service, is keen to play down his seemingly one-man band status.

He said: “It isn’t just me at Heyside and I wouldn’t ever want it to be seen as that.

“Mick Cummins does a great job as treasurer and his son James, who is also our goalkeeper, manages the team.

“Mick and I have been together for more than 20 years and he deserves as much credit as anyone for keeping things together.

“He does a lot of the off-the-field work, very important stuff like attracting sponsors and that should not go unnoticed.

“I like being involved with a football club and that is something that has been with me ever since I played for St James’ Barry Street in the old Oldham Sunday Schools League.”

Norbury cites last season’s Groom Cup success as the highlight of his time at Heyside.

Every club needs a heartbeat — Norbury and Cummins are Heyside’s.