POSTED: February 09 2017 11:33:46 By Keith Long
- Saturday Senior Team Knocked Out Of Amateur Cup
On 4th February 2017 at Salford Sports Village Beechfield United Saturday Morning Team were left wondering how they lost their Manchester Amateur Cup Quarter-Final tie against East Manchester Academy. Beechy suffered an agonising 3-2 defeat and Manager Graham Rothwell and Assistant Karl Stott were left speechless because United were in complete control of the first half but failed to hold a handsome lead after wasting a glut of easy chances. East Manchester couldn't believe their luck when they took the lead in the 42nd minute. Following a piece of slack defending the ball was controlled by an East Manchester forward who's snap shot looped over the keepers outstretched hand and into the net.
Three minutes into the second half East Manchester went 2-0 up when a rash challenge by the United keeper gifted the visitors a penalty and Beechy's number one was beaten from the resulting spot-kick. On fifty six minutes a lack of concentration led to United conceding a third goal when they expected a linesman to raise his flag indicating offside but the East Manchester forward continued his run and chipped the ball into the empty net. Three minutes later United were thrown a lifeline after being awarded a penalty and Kane Branigan took responsibility of taking the spot-kick and easily beat the keeper to reduce the arrears.
East Manchester then had a player sent off and Beechy changed their tactics as they chased the game. During the next twenty five minutes United dominated possession but again lacked the finish to more easy chances plus the East Manchester keeper denied Beechy with several outstanding saves. With ten minutes to go United had a goal disallowed then in the 88th minute Roy Owen forced the ball into the net from six yards for 3-2. East Manchester's time wasting tactics resulted in a number of cautions and an additional six minutes and though Beechy continued to create chances an equalising goal eluded them. This was an under par performance and sharing the Man of the Match Award were Was Pierce and Ben Donohue.