A CONSIDERABLE amount of hard work to get Prestwich Heys' Sandgate ground in a more than playable condition came to nothing on Saturday, when the referee called the Lancashire Amateur Cup quarter-final match off 10 minutes before the advertised kick-off time.

Both Heys and visitors Monton Amateurs were already out, engrossed in their pre-match warm-up and were both keen to play. But the referee, who has the final say in these matters, thought otherwise.

A request to delay kick-off by 30 minutes was refused, as was one to start the game and see how the conditions developed.

This has had a knock-on effect.

Heys' scheduled home league game against Rochdale Sacred Heart on Saturday has been cancelled, replaced by a second attempt to play Monton in the cup, with a 1.30pm kick-off.

Heys are currently fourth in the Manchester Football League Premier Division table.

They are 12 points behind leaders Avro but have played three games less. They also have games in hand on Dukinfield and Sacred Heart, who are in second and third place respectively.

A disappointing result at Stockport Georgians saw Heys exit the Gilgryst Cup at the first round stage, however, success is still very much achievable in the other two cup competitions.

A win against Monton on Saturday will book Heys a New Year semi-final, while the semi-final; of the GoldlIne Trophy has now also been decided, with Blackrod Town Heys' opponents, the tie is scheduled for Tuesday, December 6, kick-off 7.45pm at Radcliffe Borough's Inn2gether Stadium.

Following a 4-3 win at Elton Vale, the reserves also moved into fourth place in Division Two, thanks to goals from Dave Berry, Paul Taylor and Carl Rezai (2) on his Heys' debut, following his release from National Conference side, Halifax Town.

They are without a game on Saturday as their Open Trophy opponents, Springhead, are embroiled in County Cup action.

The Under 16s made further progress in the LFA YOuth Cup when they beat Boundary Park Juniors 3-1 to move into the last eight.

MANCHESTER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

P W D L F A Pts

Avro 15 10 4 1 32 17 34

Dukinfield Town 15 10 1 4 39 24 31

Rochdale Sacred Heart 17 10 1 6 36 29 31

Prestwich Heys 13 7 4 2 26 16 25

Leigh Athletic (-3) 13 7 3 3 29 22 21

East Manchester 15 6 3 6 28 30 21

Springhead 13 5 5 3 35 29 20

Wythenshawe Amateurs 13 6 2 5 23 18 20

Stockport Georgians 13 6 2 5 22 18 20

Atherton Town 11 5 3 3 24 25 18

Breightmet United 14 4 2 8 24 39 14

Royton Town 14 4 2 8 23 28 14

Irlam MS 15 4 1 10 38 49 13

Hindsford AFC 11 3 3 5 18 20 12

Monton Amateurs 11 3 2 6 30 27 11

Wilmslow Albion 12 2 0 10 16 39 6

AFC Blackley 11 1 2 8 15 28 5

SECOND DIVISION

P W D L F A Pts

Leigh Athletic Res 14 11 1 2 48 17 34

East Manchester Res 12 9 1 2 39 23 28

Springhead Res 10 9 0 1 40 14 27

Wythenshawe Ams Res 13 6 3 4 27 17 21

Prestwich Heys Res 13 6 1 6 25 32 19

Monton Amateurs Res 11 6 1 4 24 21 19

Stockport Georgians Res 11 5 3 3 16 15 18

Dukinfield Town Res 12 5 1 6 21 22 16

Gregorians Res 10 4 1 5 19 21 13

Atherton Town Res 11 4 1 6 14 21 13

Hindsford AFC Res 12 3 3 6 21 34 12

Avro Res 12 2 2 8 15 30 8

Elton Vale Res 10 1 2 7 13 29 5

Breightmet United Res 13 1 0 12 17 43 3