Amateur football: Heywoods gear up for Cup test

Nov 11 2008 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A BUMPER crowd are gearing up to support Heywood Irish Centre in their second FA Sunday Carlsberg Cup game on Sunday.

About 100 Irish faithful will travel to Liverpool to cheer on their team against Western Approaches, of the Liverpool Premier Division.

Approaches travelled to Humberside-based Hessle Rangers in the first round and came away with a 2-0 victory.

Heywood Irish, who will have their transport provided by Huddersfield coach company Stotts, will be aiming to make the third round for the first time in their history.

This is the club’s third campaign in the prestigious national competition and it is their first away tie.

But Irish have been hit with an injury worry with centre-back Nick Jaggar out after picking up an ankle injury playing for Garforth and player-manager Paul Quinn is a doubt after suffering an injury playing for AFC Emley.

Quinn said: “The whole club is really looking forward to the game and it is fantastic to know we will be backed by such a good following.

“The support was tremendous in the first round and will be even more important away from home. Once again we are aiming to represent the club and the area in the best possible manner on the day.”

In the opening round Heywood Irish Centre were involved in a high-drama game in which they played the majority of the game with 10 men after an early sending-off.

Their opponents, Home and Bargain, forced extra-time and penalties after a game Irish dominated. Irish goalkeeper Kevin Ashe was the resulting hero to clinch an Irish win.

A few seats are remaining on the supporters coach and anyone interested in travelling should contact the club via e-mail on irishcentrefc@hotmail.com