It’s been another frustrating week for Prestwich Heys as the weather has again intervened with the rain bringing the postponement of last Saturday’s home league game with Colne, followed by the Macron Cup tie at Irlam on Tuesday night.

Heys will be hoping that conditions improve over the coming days as they prepare for a huge league game at Wythenshawe on Saturday (2pm) while the cup clash with Irlam has been rescheduled for next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Their hosts are presently third in the table with 53 points from 26 games, that is six points more than Heys, who have a game in hand. The Boxing Day defeat at Bury and weather enforced inactivity has seen Heys lose a little ground on the top three in recent weeks. They trail second-placed Wythenshawe Town by seven points and leaders Bury by eight but have three games in hand on both those sides.

Lee O’Brien and James Hampson will be looking for their side to get back to winning ways. Saturday’s game is effectively a six pointer in the race for top spot and they will be anxious not to lose any ground. The sides have met already met twice this season. At the beginning of December Heys took the honours with a penalty shoot out win in the Macron Cup after a 2-2 draw at Adie Moran Park. Back in August however, Wythenshawe were worthy 5-2 winners in the League.

Wythenshawe have stuttered a little recently having suffered four defeats in the last six games including a 4-1 home loss to their neighbours Town in a Boxing Day derby. Heys will be hoping to continue that run as they look to bounce back from the loss at Gigg Lane, which was only their third in their last 18 league games.

Meanwhile, Lee O’Brien and James Hampson added to their coaching team prior to Christmas with the arrival of Alex Mortimer.

Alex brings a wealth of experience to the club. After spending time as a schoolboy at Manchester United, he began his professional career with Leicester City, bringing loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Gainsborough Trinity before spending a successful two seasons with Southport. He has also figured for Stafford Rangers, Hyde and FC United. Since finishing playing, he has turned his hand to coaching and has most recently been with Darwen FC.

O’Brien said: “This appointment is a timely boost for us at a key part of the season. Alex is a great guy and very knowledgeable and his experience can only help us progress. I know he will be brilliant with the players and myself and the Management team are really looking forward to working with him”.

Heys also announced the signing of Gabriel Mooney-Munoz who joins from 1874 Northwich.

A pacy, exciting and skilful left sided player, Spanish born Gabriel played for Winsford United last season making 52 appearances and made an impression on the Heys Management and fans in their games against them. Gabriel, aged 20, has featured for Madrid-based club CD Canillas, before spending a season with Wythenshawe Town where he was voted as Player of the season in 2021/22.

On completing the signing,O’Brien added: “Gabriel is an industrious player, who epitomises hard work, desire as well as possessing great quality and a good knowledge of this division. He is somebody we have had our eye on for a while and we are really pleased to have him on board.”