Heyside found the visitors (one of last season's three joint champions) too hot to handle in the opening league game of the season.
They were completely outplayed in the first half and found themselves 3-0 down,a scoreline that could have been worse but for James Lord's heroics in goal. However, after the break , in which 5 chances were made , Heyside looked a different team, kept the ball better, competed for everything, and gave Littleborough no room in which to play.
Daniel Robertson, who missed the whole of pre-season through holiday, received the referee's praise for a sterling second half at centre half but in truth it was a real team effort as the players collectively lifted the standards.
Debutant Tom Shaw worked tirelessly for the team in the centre of midfield but, for all their efforts, they could not really carve out a chance to cut the deficit.
One observer who only watched the second half inquired at the final whistle "So what score did you win that - you were all over them for the second half!" He could not believe it when told we lost 0-3. A tough start but the second-half performance certainly gives the squad hope for the season ahead.
