Prestwich Heys welcomed fans back to Adie Moran Park with a resounding 4-0 victory over Maine Road.

Although, this was Heys’ sixth pre-season outing, it was the first to be played in front of supporters following the easing of Government restrictions and their presence made for a different atmosphere to the games that had passed.

With the North West Counties League having also confirmed an October 3 start date for the season, it did feel like the start of the countdown to the campaign had begun in earnest.

There was certainly an extra edge to Heys’ play as they produced their most complete performance so far.

After a tight first half, Heys were dominant in the second period as Jamie Hill added to a single goal interval lead before a late double by Jack Coop put the icing on the cake.

If anything, Heys have been slow starters in their games thus far, but they were quick out of the blocks here with Hill and Alfie Belcher stretching the North West Counties Division One South visitors out wide and Max White pulling the strings in the midfield.

They came to close to taking the lead in the ninth minute, when a well-worked corner routine saw the ball find Coop whose low drive was cleared off the line.

White then put a free-kick over as Heys enjoyed the bulk of the possession. Maine Road were a threat going forward, particularly down the right, and it took a good save with his feet by Russell Saunders to prevent the visitors opening the scoring.

It was Heys who went in front though, a trialist giving them the lead in the 37th minute.

From a White corner, Maine Road struggled to clear and the defender slotted home from close range having already impressed at the other end of the pitch.

Youth team striker Ollie Scott then almost made an immediate impact on his introduction in the second half, finding space superbly before seeing a 20-yard shot pushed round post.

Heys’ pressure finally told on the hour when Hill increased their lead, cutting into the box before steering a low shot into the far, bottom corner.

As momentum was maintained the keeper scrambled to save at the feet of Scott.

Belcher then tested the Maine Road stopper from 20 yards before Scott Cullen whistled a shot past the post.

Three minutes from time Heys’ dominance was further rewarded as Coop seized on a stray pass to finish smartly from a tight angle.

There was still time for one more, Coop finding space and delivering a sublime shot from 20 yards that nestled into the bottom corner.

Heys are in action tomorrow night (7pm) against Charnock Richard at Adie Moran Park.