Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: February 26 2019 15:48:30 By Keith Long - United Let Down By Poor Second Half Display

In urgent need to a moral boosting victory Beechfield United First Team travelled to play Rochdale Sacred Heart on Saturday 16th February 2019 knowing they faced a fairly tough ninety minutes. Fielding an unchanged line-up Beechy produced a solid hard working first half performance and after taking the lead shared a 1-1 score line at the break but United's second half display was than less than impressive and subsequently they lost this Premier Division fixture 4-1. A stiff breeze affected the flow of the game and straight from the kick-off United were forced to defend against the windy conditions. Sacred Hearts No9 saw a half volley drift over the crossbar then twice in quick succession Beechy keeper Robert Harrison showed safe handling as he dealt with a couple of crosses from both flanks. United's first real promising attack featured Carl Ravenscroft, Jamie Sinnott and Ethan Birds who's shot from the edge of the area was straight at the keeper.

Vital headed clearances were needed from Mike Rogerson and Marcus Belcher plus another fingertip save by Robert Harrison during a sustained spell of pressure by the hosts in the opening quarter-hour. Against the run of play Beechy opened the scoring after nineteen minutes when the ball was sent forward onto Louis Duff who's deep cross was eventually controlled by Jordan Jones-Waite and he angled a cross to the far post for Jamie Sinnott who planted a header past the keeper. But United were soon having to defend again against more forceful attacking play for Sacred Heart and both Luke Johnston and Carl Ravenscroft relied on the first time clearance when under pressure. Beechy's overall display improved slightly with Steven Erskine, Chris Ferris and Ethan Birds getting a greater share of the ball in midfield and chances for a 2-0 lead were on offer. Wind assisted kicks from the Sacred Heart keeper were an added threat to United's back four though Beechy looked in control until the 38th minute.

Sacred Heart won a free kick and after the ball was hit deep into United's half the hosts No10 escaped his marker and via a deflection fired it low into the corner of the net. During a late attacking surge Jamie Sinnott and Jordan Jones-Waite combined to set-up Ethan Birds who saw his swerving effort win Beechy another corner. The second half quickly developed a similar pattern to the first half and making a ragged start United were forced to do some serious defending. Mike Rogerson, Marcus Belcher, Luke Johnston and Carl Ravenscroft did well to contain a rampant Sacred Heart front line but the hosts went 2-1 up on fifty four minutes. Beechy rarely threatened to cause an upset and from the penalty spot the Sacred Heart No11 added his teams third goal after seventy minutes. United's afternoon got even worse eight minutes from the end when a counter-attack ended with the hosts adding a fourth goal via their No8.