Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: December 07 2021 13:47:26 By Keith Long - Cup Exit Following Penalty Shoot-Out

On Sunday Beechy Ladies were in action in the Challenge Cup when they met Tiki Taka away for a 2nd Round tie. Beechy fought back from 3-0 down but went out of the competition following a penalty-shoot-out.

The highlight of the cup tie was a hat-trick for Stacy Partridge while making her Beechy debut was goalkeeper Alice Mosley who had a very good game. On a slippery pitch Beechy conceded the opening goal in the 3rd minute and Emily Walmsley, Sian Anderson, Shauna Smith and Monique Pollard were suddenly forced to produce some valiant defending. Beechy who had to work hard in all areas in an attempt to get a foothold in the game found themselves trailing 2-0 after thirteen minutes when the Tiki Taka No 9 was gifted an easy finish following a corner. Attacking up a slight slope Beechy had limited opportunities to test the ability of the Tiki Taka keeper due to a lack of clear cut chances.

Shauna Smith and Sian Anderson produced last ditch ball winning tackles and Alice Mosley made a couple of fine saves prior to Tiki Taka taking a 3-0 lead via their No11. Beechy continued to struggle to find a decent rhythm and from midfield Amie Barratt, Becky Topping and Aimee Greenwood just couldn't find the right pass to unsettle a well organised Tiki Taka back four. The hosts kept Beechy in a defensive mode and went close to increasing their lead in the closing stages of the first half. As the second half developed Beechy gradually looked a greater threat going forward and efforts from Nicola Campion, Aimee Greenwood and Sophie Addison were just off target while Monique Pollard forced a fingertip save from the hosts keeper.

A few swift counter-attacks from Tiki Taka were confidently dealt with by a more composed Beechy defence including Player of the Match Sian Anderson. A great solo run by Amie Barratt set-up a chance for Becky Topping who's shot on target was well held by the Tiki Taka keeper who was the busiest player on the pitch in the last half hour. Nicola Campion then Sophie Addison forced saves from the hosts goalie and another fine effort from Becky Topping almost found the back of the net. The comeback began in the 70th minute when a foul on Amie Barratt won a free kick and after Stacy Partridge fired the ball at the target it spun past the hosts keeper and into the net just inside the post.

After the goal Beechy stepped up a gear and keeping the pressure on their opponents produced their best period of attacking football in the cup tie. Beechy's second goal arrived following an attack down the left wing when after an effort by Monique Pollard was blocked the ball rebounded to Stacy Partridge who fired it back into the area and the ball deflected off a Tiki Tska defender into the net. As they attacked non-stop Beechy were rewarded with a fully deserved equaliser when Becky Topping supplied the pass that led to Stacy Partridge via a superb finish firing the ball over the keeper to complete her hat-trick and the scoring. Unfortunately Beechy lost the penalty shoot-out 4-3.