POSTED: April 25 2021 19:30:54 By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 24/4/2021
Creating the Headlines in the Junior Section on Saturday 24th April 2021 were Beechfield United Under 14's Lightning who beat Division 2 leaders Astley and Tyldesley Dragons 3-2.
At Brookhouse Playing Fields this Salford and Districts League fixture produced a very eventful seventy minutes and Lightning had goalkeeper Lucas Wood to thank for guaranteeing the victory when Beechy's No 1 saved a penalty in the last minute. In a superb all-round display Cody Brady, David Olidoy and Joel Idujusi scored the all important goals and the result keeps Lightning in second place in the league table.
In the Under 8's Blue Group Beechy Tornadoes who were at home to neighbours Moorside Rangers Blues were winners of a fantastic game of mini-soccer and played in the correct manner the result could have gone either way. The Rangers Manager who also refereed the match was very complementary of the Tornadoes team who displayed great attitude, team spirit plus being totally committed from start to finish. According to Tornadoes Team Manager Ryan Pugh Beechy who were a joy to watch were rewarded with a consolation goal scored by Man of the Match Kai Barker.
Producing a good all-round performance in their Red Group away game at FC Bridgewater Devils were the Under 10's Storm. Despite creating some good movement which resulted in numerous chances and putting heavy pressure on the opposition Beechy unfortunately lost the match. Goalscorers for Storm were Man of the Match Roman Sandaji and Harry Wallis.
Beechy Under 12's Hurricanes (9v9) faced unbeaten De La Salle Reds who were announced S&DJFL Division Champions will three games to go. Before kick-off the Hurricanes lads and coaches gave the De La Salle players a well deserved guard of honour which showed great respect towards their opponents. There was a bright start to the first half and the Hurricanes were rewarded with a brilliantly worked goal when a fantastic through ball from Alfie Rostron set-up Henry Errington who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner of the net. This setback seemed to wake up De La Salle and they quickly had Beechy back on defensive duty following some strong attacking play. The Hurricanes did well to contain their opponents zest to get an equalising goal which did arrive when following a corner De La Salle's strong midfield player scored via a header.
Both teams continued to create some very good football and a goal apiece was the outcome with Henry Errington on target again and the first half ended 2-2. De La Salle came out strong and determined in the second half and Beechy found themselves trailing 4-2 but the Hurricanes refused to give up and there were some great chances on offer for Beechy to force a draw or even grab the win. De La Salle must have thought this was going to be an easy victory but a resilient and determined Hurricanes pushed them all the way. This was easily Beechy's best performance of the season so far and the Man of the Match award went to captain Owen Hogben for his outstanding defensive display and rallying the team through a very tough game.
There was another hard fought victory for the Under 13's Tornadoes who made it five wins on the trot when they beat Moorside Rangers Reds 3-1 at home. Displaying good movement and passing the ball really well Beechy soon put their opponents under pressure and deservedly took the lead through ace marksman Farrell Williams-Smith who opened the scoring with a in-form strikers decisive finish. Goal number two came midway through the second half when the Tornadoes won a free kick and when the ball finally found it's way to Farrell Williams-Smith he instantly slotted it past the keeper. Moorside Rangers pulled a goal back against the run of play just before the referee blew for half time.
The second half was played in the same frantic manner and both teams were guilty of giving the ball away far too easily but Beechy still had the best chances on offer though several efforts on target failed to find a way past the Rangers keeper. But five minutes from the end Tornadoes were guaranteed their deserved victory when Farrell Williams-Smith forced his way through the Rangers defence to complete the scoring with his hat-trick goal.
Losing games gives you that depressing feeling and Under 13's Hurricanes Manager Kennedy Chirwa suffered that ordeal on Saturday morning. In the Bolton Bury and District League Beechy travelled to play Section D leaders Standish Panthers and despite producing their best team performance so far this season lost the match 5-1. Beechy stood strong, kept their shape and working hard were rewarded with the opening goal via a magnificent Dylan Walker free kick. Against their physical opponents Hurricanes withstood the early pressure but eventually Panthers superiority began to tell and Beechy conceded goals some fortuitous and some caused by individual errors. In the second half following a cynical and dangerous tackle on a Hurricanes player after being challenged why he had failed to deal with the offender the stand-in referee walked off the pitch and was replaced immediately. Sharing the Hurricanes Man of the Match award were Elliott Fahy and Nicholas Green.
The Under 14's Typhoon lost 5-0 away to Adlington Junior Pythons and though the result suggests Beechy were totally outplayed there really wasn't much to choose between the teams. The hosts opening goal should have been disallowed due to a clear handball but Typhoon were far too generous when they gifted their opponents a couple of soft goals. An awful decision by the referee resulted in Adlington being awarded a penalty but Beechy keeper Peter Ellis pulled off a great save following the resulting spot-kick. Creating enough chances themselves Typhoon forced several very good saves from the hosts keeper but Beechy failed to find a deserved consolation goal. Man of the Match was Freddie Latham who took on a role in front of the back four.
Making it three games unbeaten were the Under 15's Storm who met Swinton Lions at Brookhouse Playing Fields. During a slow start to this Bolton Bury and District League Section C fixture Storm created just a few chances in the opening ten minutes but following a mistake by the Lions keeper Beechy took the lead when Reuben Gill who was making his debut tapped the ball home for 1-0. Storm then suffered a sucker punch when a missed header in midfield handed possession to the Lions and their striker was on target with the visitors equalising goal. (HT 1-1) Beechy made better use of the ball in the second half but at times were let down when the final pass went astray and taking advantage Swinton Lions grabbed a 2-1 lead. Storm responded and putting the pressure back onto their opponents equalised through Aaron Cardall. Storm's Man of the Match went to Ben Delaney who was the best player on the pitch.
For the second time in seven days Beechy Under 16's Thunder produced an excellent all-round display and were rewarded with a 5-1 away victory. In the North Bury Junior League Thunder looked more like the Thunder of old and controlled this cup game from start to finish. Strong performances in midfield made it difficult for opponents Prestwich Marauders to get into the game and Prince Idusuyi who scored all five goals gave Beechy the lead then he quickly made it 2-0. Marauders made a spirited fightback and enjoying their best spell in the match managed to reduce the arrears before half time. Marauders had a few early chances in the second half but Thunder's goalkeeper Ryley Walker showed his ability with some top-quality saves and Beechy Manager Wayne Miller was very impressed with Ryley's distribution and presence on the pitch. Stepping up a gear Thunder increased their lead when a pinpoint cross was delivered into the penalty area and Prince Idusuyi executed a deft finish for the third goal. Prince Idusuyi added the gloss to Beechy's superb display with two more goals and Thunder's ace marksman shared the Man of the Match award with Ryley Walker.