Walshaw make point to champions

From the Bury Times, first published Wednesday 22nd Aug 2007.

Prestwich Heys 1 Walshaw 1

WALSHAW proved they belong in the Manchester Premier League with a fantastic draw at the home of defending champions Prestwich Heys.

Matt Barnes was the Walshaw hero, as he levelled in the final throes of the game to cancel out Michael Hoggard's 82nd minute header.

The game began with Heys having the lions share of the possession in the opening 15 minutes, but the Walshaw rearguard was rarely troubled and, as the half wore on, they began to creep steadily into the contest with forward Adam Ellis looking a particular threat.

On the half-hour mark, Walshaw received a blow when Ric Manning had to go off and his place was taken by David Davies. The rest of the half was nip and tuck, with both sides failing to test the keepers.

With the wind at their backs in the second period, Walshaw tried to up the tempo but it was always going to be a tight game between two evenly matched sides.

Walshaw introduced Simon Manifold into the fray on 60 minutes but still there seemed no sign of the stalemate being broken.

The game burst into life on 81 minutes when Walshaw carved out a great chance, but Ryan Nowak seemed to get the ball stuck under his feet and the ball squirmed agonisingly wide.

A minute later, Heys worked the ball out to the right and Mark Westhead lashed a shot goalwards, which was brilliantly parried by Simon Marsh but Hoggard was quickest to react to give Heys the lead.

Walshaw immediately threw Barnes into the fray and, within two minutes, he had levelled up the contest. A trademark long-throw by Chapman was missed by Heys keeper Paul Hinchy and, in the ensuing melee, Barnes prodded home from six yards.

Walshaw beat Hindsford 2-0 on Saturday, and will travel to Irlam this weekend, before a trip to Rochdale Sacred Heart on Tuesday.

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