Prestwich punish defensive howlers

ACTION STATIONS . . . Springhead’s Mark Ashworth (right) tries to make a clearance. PICTURE: TIM BRADLEY

Springhead 4, Prestwich Heys 5


FOOTBALL: SPRINGHEAD joint-manager Lee McAllister was left to rue his side’s defensive frailties in a nine-goal FBT Manchester League Premier Division thriller at Ashfield Crescent.

Visitors Prestwich made Springhead pay for their errors at the back with two goals and, though debut-making Luke Butler pulled one back midway through a forgettable first half for McAllister’s side, Heys restored their two-goal advantage five minutes before the break.

It got worse for the home side less than five minutes after the break when Heys bagged a fourth goal. But then the Springhead fightback began, and for the second time in as many weeks, Nathan Eastmond scored from the restart with a wonder-goal - just like Rob Flynn had done for Cartshaft in the Oldham Sunday League the previous weekend.

Mark Hopwood converted an Owen Minnock cross on the hour mark to reduce the deficit further still, before Rick Massey levelled matters with a far-post header with 20 minutes still left to play.

In the final minute David Ashworth was up-ended in the Heys’ penalty box offering ideas of a win - but the referee thought otherwise and awarded Springhead a free-kick.

Then with the very last kick of the game, Heys broke clear to score an unlikely winner.