Cup boost for boss Howard

FOOT UP: Heyside’s Daniel Dunne (left) tries to halt an opponent.

Heyside 4, Skelmanthorpe 2

HEYSIDE secured their place in the first round of the Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup following a preliminary round victory at home to Skelmanthorpe at Crompton House.

In a way it was sweet revenge for Heyside, who were knocked out of this competition by Skelmanthorpe at the same stage last season.

Heyside manager Geoff Howard said: “We played really well and thoroughly deserved to win. “There was neat passing and good movement, and it was good to watch.”

It was difficult to disagree with Howard’s view of the game and there is no doubt the man who left Oldham Hulmeians to join Heyside has crafted a side bursting with quality.

It was the unfortunate Reece Hursthouse whose own goal handed Skelmanthorpe the lead five minutes before half-time. But Howard’s side pulled level three minutes later when Jonny Pauley’s crisp drive from 18 yards found the back of the net.

Two goals inside eight minutes shortly after the restart from goal machine Mark Hopwood and then Daniel Wooliscroft, followed by a John Leonard strike just past the hour mark, more or less put the tie beyond doubt.

Skelmanthorpe managed to give the scoreline a little more respectability with a second goal in stoppage time.