POSTED: February 26 2023 13:31:07 By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 25/2/2023
For the second successive Saturday the Supplementary Cup was the main feature of the games played in the Junior Section and it was Beechfield United Under 8's STORM who created the headlines.
*After winning their away game against AFC Urmston Meadowside Eagles the Under 8's STORM finished top of their group and guaranteed themselves a place in the final. Beechy's opponents had only ever lost one previous game but Storm made the best possible start when they took the lead with a goal from Bobby Lowe. Midway through the first half Alfie Heighway put Beechy two goals up and though Urmston reduced the arrears Alfie Heighway scored a screamer to restore Storm's two goal advantage at half time. Beechy continued to play well in the second half and they increased their lead when Alfie Heighway completed his hat trick. Shortly after Storm suddenly defended much deeper which invited added Urmston pressure and Beechy conceded two goals. Then with the last kick of the game Urmston equalised after the visitors were awarded a penalty forcing a spot-kick decider to find a winner. In the shoot-out Storm's goalkeeper and Man of the Match Harry Chambers saved two penalties and also scored Beechy's winning spot-kick.
*Playing away the Under 7's THUNDER were involved in an enthralling cup tie with Urmston Meadowside Predators. It was Thunder who took the lead thanks to a very good goal from George Kelly but Urmston fought back and were ahead via a couple of goals. Beechy equalised when following a mazy dribble down the left wing Jude Bond squeezed the ball into the net at the near post. Then Jude delivered the perfect through ball for Milo McNulty to race clear and edge Thunder back in front before half time. The second half was a closely fought affair and though Urmston equalised Beechy kept their opponents constantly on the back foot and Thunder almost snatched victory but an effort by Harrison Spencer hit the underside of the crossbar with seconds remaining. The tie would then be decided by the players taking penalties and unfortunately Thunder lost the shoot-out. Choosing a Man of the Match was a difficult choice but the award went to Jude Bond for a tireless performance with real quality.
*There was a disappointing Saturday morning at home thefor Beechy Under 8's THUNDER who met Wythenshawe Celtic Milan. Special praise went to Lyle Glass for taking on the goalkeeping duties after Thunder's usual keeper became unavailable. Wythenshawe started well and with Thunder not picking up the pace of the game the visitors opened the scoring but after going a goal down Beechy sparked into life and equalised when Brayden Taylor scored for the tenth game in a row. Almost immediately Wythenshawe regained the lead though Thunder working hard for each other rallied superbly and Beechy were back level when Man of the Match Brayden Taylor was on target again with easily the goal of the game. With the lack of substitutes Thunder found it hard going in the second half and had it not been for some great defending from Noah Aspen Beechy could have lost by a bigger margin. Both teams, officials and spectators observed the FA's silent weekend and a good performance by the referee made the day a lot easier.
*For their latest Supplementary Cup game Beechy Under 9's TORNADOES were in action against Deans Youth and Sports and just one goal was enough to decide the match winning team. The goal came from Tornadoes Man of the Match Crewe Reeves who produced a fantastc solo run from his own half before firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net to earn Beechy a fully deserved victory.
*In their second game in the Supplementary Cup the Under 9's STORM were beaten by Longford Park Blue who seem to be Beechy's bogey team. On top for most of the first half Storm took a deserved lead when the ball broke free to Kobe Glass in the area and he added a neat and accurate finish. A lack of concentration resulted in Longford Park's equalising goal though Beechy battled back and took the lead again via Jack Sinclair. The match retained it's competitive edge and Longford Park equalised a second time then Jack Sinclair hammered home his second goal to restore the lead but on the stroke of half time Longford Park drew level again. Beechy started well in the second half and Jack Sinclair completed his hat trick and when play remained very even for long periods the visitors equalised yet again. A penalty shoot-out looked a real possibility but with the last kick of the game Longford Park grabbed a dramatic winning goal.
*Beechy Under 11's THUNDER (9v9) had home advantage in their Supplementary Cup tie with Winton Wanderers Titans. In a below-par display Thunder found themselves 2-0 down and despite a good fifteen minute spell and having a goal disallowed Beechy still trailed at the break. A similar pattern developed throughout the second half and though Thunder continued to play some nice football they conceded four more goals.
*After four successive defeats the Under 12's STORM (9v9) got back to winning ways thanks to a dominant performance against Monton Sports Tigers. The main focus was to enjoy playing plus passing and movement and the Beechy Boys made it happen while throughout the game Storm created some lovely moves plus there were some fantastic goals scored by four different players. Following this excellent all-round display it was a tough decision choosing Man of the Match but well done to Nathan Kay who picked up the award after a very strong defensive performance. Goalscorers for Beechy who celebrated a 6-2 victory were Mikel Omotayo (2) Roman Sandaji (2) Etehadpoor Mohammadmatin and Elijah Knott.
*Finn Browne scored the Under 13's TORNADOES consolation goal via a great header following a corner by Josh Beddows in Beechy's latest Supplementary Cup fixture. The Tornadoes who lost 5-1 at home to Parkwyddn Predators suffered their first defeat in five gamesin the Salford and Districts League.
*On a Big and uneven grass pitch the Under 14's HURRICANES faced a tough challenge in their Supplementary Cup away game with Roach Dynamos. After confidently dealing with some early pressure the Hurricanes conceded the opening goal following a corner. But Beechy created a positive response and equalised when Finlay Unsworth on a surging run beat two Roach defenders then drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net. As they continued to produce some strong attacks the Hurricanes went 2-1 up via a great goal from Man of the Match Owen Hogben who dinked the ball over the hosts defence before firing it beyond the keeper. Roach Dynamos equalised after a long ball got caught in the wind then flew over Beechy's back four setting up the chance for a hosts striker who added a decisive finish (HT 2-2)
Playing down the slope in the second half the Hurricanes were caught napping following a counter-attack and despite a brave effort by Beechy keeper Oliver Dalton-Bunker the Dynamos regained lead. A goal kick to the Hurricanes resulted in the hosts winning possession and a Dynamos midfield player was on target when he made it 4-2. In the dying seconds the home side got their fifth goal though once again the Hurricanes keeper made a decent save but the ball was slotted into the net at the second attempt. This had been a difficult game for the Hurricanes who were without key players but there were plenty of positives especially regarding the teams first half performance.
*In the Bolton Bury and District League the Under 15's HURRICANES were in action at Astley Bridge Tigers. Recently Beechy had struggled to find their best form but against Astley Bridge they started on the front foot as they produced their usual impressive style of football. The Hurricanes were rewarded when they took the lead through Kane Wood who's shot on target found the bottom of the net. As they continued to move the ball about confidently Beechy went 2-0 up after Ethan Mangwiro latched onto a rebound off an effort by Oghenekaro Ibodje (Karo) but some slack defending from the Hurricanes allowed Astley Bridge back into the game when the hosts reduced the arrears.
A mistake by the referee gifted the hosts a penalty but Beechy keeper Callum Hanvey made a great save from the resulting spot-kick. Alfie Gridlestone buried the ball into the net for the Hurricanes third goal but Beechy defended much deeper in the second half offering pressure from their opponents who scored again. Following a corner which was well cleared Karo ran from his own half and in a 1 on 1 with the Astley Bridge keeper guaranteed the three points and a 4-2 Beechy win with a decisive finish. Sharing the Hurricanes Man of the Match award were Nicholas Green for his simplicity in defence and Alfie Gridlestone who produced a solid display in midfield.
*According to Team Manager Phil Hesketh he witnessed the best and worst of the Under 16's TYPHOON in their Section D away game at Bolton Lads Club. In the first twenty minutes Beechy's overall performance was poor with no pressure on the ball and very few challenges and Typhoon found themselves trailing 2-0. Gradually Beechy got their act together and displayed more committment which created excellent chances though the finishing touch was missing. But the end of the first half was brilliant for Beechy when the hard working Reece James reduced the arrears then Man of the Match Ronan Mullen supplied a superb through ball and Reece James was on target again when he made it 2-2.
Things got even better after the interval when Typhoon took a 3-2 lead thanks to a well taken goal by Ronan Mullen but Bolton Lads Club suddenly found fresh impetus and Typhoon's self belief and confidence waned. Keeper Peter Ellis kept Beechy in the game until the hosts forced a succession of corners and equalised then following a deep cross into the area an unmarked Lads Club player headed his team 4-3 up and late in the game a long range strike added a fifth goal for the hosts. For half the game Typhoon were exciting to watch as they passed the ball well and put pressure on their opponents but they need to do that for eighty minutes in their remaining league fixtures.