Take a ride on the Big One!

AIR MILES Manchester League

Premier Division

BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach better watch out, for it has a new rival for the best white knuckle ride in town, writes Steve Howard.

The Prestwich Heys rollercoaster ride that is season 2001/2 showed no signs of slowing on another eventful and memorable afternoon at Sandgate Road last Saturday.

The Sandgate faithful had seen 37 goals in seven previous league and cup matches at the ground, games with more twists and turns and ups and downs than any fun fair could offer, not to mention its fair share of controversy with

sending offs and punch ups.

Not to disappoint, Heys invited East Manchester into the fun house last week and shared the points in a six-goal thriller that was again full of drama as Heys came from 3-0 down to level and then almost snatch victory.

All this after losing goalkeeper Damien Rooney in only the second minute with a facial injury that required nine stitches to the inside and outside of his mouth.

Rooney, collided with East's striker Danny Self when rushing from his line to dive bravely at the striker's feet and had to leave the field to be replaced by Andy Jones.

The Heys substitute had originally been down to play for the Reserves, but had been delayed at work and was only added to the list of first team substitutes at the very last minute. He was plunged straight in at the deep end as a stand-in 'keeper and he and Heys must have been fearing the worst when, within a matter of minutes, he was picking the ball

out of the net.

A catalogue of defensive errors gave Thomason an opening and his shot eluded the boot of Gary Massey on the goal line to compound Heys desperate start to the game. Jones prevented his side from falling further behind on the quarter hour mark with a fine save from Self as Heys continued to struggle to find their feet and it came as no surprise when East's increased their lead in the 21st minute.

Some terrific interpassing ripped Heys defence to shreds and when Berry crossed to the far post Greene was on hand to drill a shot in that took a deflection off Carrington on its way into the net.

Heys were in no mood to roll over and they began to find their feet to exert pressure on the East's goal.

Lee Smart tested the 'keeper with a well-struck free-kick and as Heys' attacks gained momentum, Thompson miscued

in front of goal and Jolly headed over.

Thompson then combined with the impressive Harrison to carve out a chance for Smart but he was denied by a desperate last ditch tackle as Heys penned the visitors back.

However, in pressing to get back in the game Heys were leaving themselves open for the break and Self should have scored on the stroke of half-time, but his chip cleared Jones and the bar.

It was to prove only a temporary respite for Heys though as hopes of a second half comeback were hit within four minutes of the restart when Berry turned in the box to drill a shot low past Jones leaving Heys up against it.

However, their riposte was swift as within two minutes they reduced the arrears. Jolly waltzed down the left wing before crossing to the far post where Smart, in acres of space, had time to pick his spot and drill home his 13th goal of the season and raise hopes of a comeback. Such hopes almost proved unfounded on the hour, but recent signing Mark Leacock provided a superb goalline clearance to keep Heys in the hunt and it's value was underlined moments later as Heys added a second goal with Smart applying the final touch after a cross into the box, flicked on by the impressive Massey, had caused havoc in the Easts defence.

Heys now truly believed the game was theirs for the taking and went at Easts with renewed vigour and the visitors were forced into desperate defence to keep them out. A superb save by Hulley denied Brierley an equaliser with five minutes left but the latter was proving a thorn in the East's defence and he helped produce Heys leveller in the 89th minute.

Breaking down the left, he delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Alex Skelly who finished with a thumping header into the bottom corner.

Heys were still not finished though and it took a stunning double save from Hulley to deny firstly another Skelly header and then Smart as he followed up on the rebound.

Shortly after the whistle sounded to allow everyone to get off the ride, regather their nerves and prepare for tomorrow's visit to Sandgate Road of New Mills (2-30pm). PRESTWICH HEYS: Heys: Rooney, Carrington, Brierley, Stokes, Harrison, Massey, Moran, Leacock, Jolly, Thompson, Smart. Subs: Skelly, Jones, J.Kavanagh.

Heys Reserves were beaten 5-2 at high flying Springhead. Trailing 4-0 at one point Liam Byrne's young side hit back through Gary Sewell and a stunning long range effort from Carl Howard and were twice denied by the woodwork before the home side wrapped matters up.

Tomorrow, the Reserves are at East Manchester in the Open Trophy first round (2pm).

Heys Under 18's Lancashire Cup hopes foundered at the first hurdle with a 3-2 defeat at Atherton Collieries. Lee O'Brein and Andy Moore gave their side a two-goal lead early on, but Colls hit back strongly and clinched victory with a last minute winner. The Under 18's scheduled fixture at Altrincham this Sunday has been cancelled leaving them with no game.

The Under 17's are at home to Daisy Hill on Sunday (2pm) looking to bounce back to winning ways after losing their unbeaten record in a 3-2 defeat at Leigh RMI last weekend. Andrew Morrissey and Danny Roach were on the mark for Liam Morrissey's side.