PRESTWICH HEYS (Adie Moran Park)

NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE,
PRESTWICH HEYS 1-2 WHITCHURCH ALPORT, ATTENDANCE: 113

It was the final Saturday of the regular North West Counties season so I decided to re-complete my visits to all of the league's grounds by heading to Greater Manchester.

Prestwich Heys were hosting Whitchurch Alport in their final home game after returning to the league after a 30 year absence.

Prestwich Heys were founder members of the North West Counties League back in 1982 but left in 1986, due to ground grading issues, and joined the Manchester League. They remained in this league until 2016 when, as champions, they returned to the North West Counties for this season. 

There were no problems with ground grading this time around as in 1991 the club relocated to a new home on Sandgate Road in Whitefield.

The ground is now named in tribute to former manager Adie Moran who, after leading the club to three successive Manchester Premier League titles in the noughties, sadly died on the eve of the 2007/08 season.

It has been a successful campaign, with the club guaranteed 8th place in the table, regardless of the result today. Up until a few weeks ago the club were firmly in the mix for promotion but a backlog of fixtures in recent weeks finally took it's toll and they have faded away.

Whitchurch on the other hand had already secured their play-off berth so in reality there was nothing but pride resting on this game. Both teams played to win though and produced an decent encounter to watch.

After a goalless first half two Alex Hughes strikes (48 & 65) put the visitors in command. A Lee O'Brien penalty three minutes from time halved the deficit but, despite late pressure, Prestwich couldn't find an equaliser.

The Mayor of Bury was also in attendance this afternoon, I hope he enjoyed the match as well as I did!