HEYWOOD Irish Centre’s second foray in the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup was ended abruptly by Liverpool Premier Division side Paddock FC, who romped to a 6-1 victory.

But Heywood managed to keep the scoreline down to just a goal deficit at half-time and it wasn’t until the last 20 minutes of the tie that the visitors prised open the floodgates.

Disappointed Heywood manager Chris Helliwell said: “It was an extremely disappointing scoreline and once again shows the gulf between the strong Liverpool clubs and ourselves.

“The gap in ability, fitness and application was evident for all to see and as this team lost to last year’s eventual winners it won’t surprise me to see them go all the way this year.

“At 1-0 down at half-time we still had a chance, but when we were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser we left spaces which Paddock exploited.

“We now need to quickly lick our wounds and come out determined to win in next week’s county cup match at Manningham Ward. That will restore some pride and self belief.”

Paul Wheeler fired Paddock ahead on 10 minutes following a goalmouth scramble and the goal allowed the visitors, who showed plenty of talent and ability, to stamp their authority on the second-round tie.

Heywood’s midfield presented too much space to the visitors and, with their neat passing and movement, they created a number chances, but a combination of dogged defending, good saves and a bit of luck kept the scoreline down to 1-0.

Irish started the second half a lot brighter with Matthew Tattersley making good runs down the right while the forwards were grateful to enjoy more of the ball.

But the best chances were still created by Paddock with Mick Madigan forced to make a series of impressive saves.

Paddock’s pressure paid off and on 68 minutes they went 2-0 up from a quickly-taken corner by Stephen Brown, which was headed in at the far post by Jamie Henders.

Heywood didn’t allow their heads to go down and tried hard to get back into the game but the opposition were too strong overall and they added a third after a great crossfield ball from Brown to Dominic Bird, who found Henders to convert the chance.

Heywood hit back with a goal from Ashley Flynn to give the Irish a lift but straight from the restart Paddock added a fourth, quickly followed by a fifth, before Brown broke from his own half to cap a superb man-of-the-match performance with a brilliant individual effort to rifle in a sixth goal.

AFC Emley bounced back from a goal down to book a place in the second round of the Sheffield Senior Cup with a 4-1 victory against Mexborough Athletic.

Emley dominated the game from start to finish but found themselves 1-0 down when on 33 minutes Gareth Pashley scored a freak goal, against the run of play, with a shot that went through the grasp of the usually reliable Emley keeper Jamie Green.

But Ray Dennis and Nicky Bramald’s side turned on the style in the second half and equalised on 50 minutes through Matt Neesam.

New signing, former Wakefield FC striker Stephen Kenworthy, who scored a hat trick on his debut last week, added a quickfire brace on 55 and 66 minutes to put Emley firmly in control before Nick Manousios added a fourth on 75 minutes.

Tomorrow Emley travel to South Kirby for the second-round tie (7.45) and hit the road again on Saturday when they travel to Staveley MW for a Northern Counties East League Division I match.