A promising start to the pre-season schedule for Daisy Hill

Lee Hill's men bag a win and a draw from their opening two friendly matches

Jul 7, 2025
A promising start to the pre-season schedule for Daisy Hill
Daisy Hill's Jacob Ridings is challenged by Prestwich Heys front man Takura Sambezi

Daisy Hill have made a solid start to their pre-season programme with a win and a draw in their opening two games.

Manager Lee Hill has arranged six pre-season games in the run up to the start of the North West Counties League season on Saturday 26th July, and his side got off to a winning start in their first pre-season game with a 2-1 victory over Prestwich Heys at Adie Moran Park last Tuesday evening.

A goal down at half time, Ben Unsworth levelled the scores for Daisy four minutes into the second half, and Kaiden Barlow struck what proved to be the winner from a free kick midway through the second half.

Heys has taken the lead just before half time when wide man Takura Sambezi laid a pass into the path of former Daisy striker Lee Grimshaw, who slotted home the opening goal from 10 yards.

Heys rang the changes at half time, and sent out a new team for the second half, but Daisy began with the same eleven and levelled the scores within four minutes of the restart.

An Unsworth header that was heading for goal was deflected wide for a corner, and when Jake O’Brien curled the resulting kick to the far post, Unsworth stole in unmarked to steer the ball home from close range.

What turned out to the winning goal arrived at the midway point of the second half, with a free kick being awarded 25 yards out from goal, after Barlow had been sent crashing to the ground under a challenge.