POSTED: January 10 2023 20:42:48 By Keith Long
- Beechy Ladies Rewarded For Brilliant Performance
Producing one of their best ever performances Beechfield United Ladies made a brilliant start to 2023 in the Greater Manchester Womens League with a 4-1 home win over Boltonians Ladies on Sunday 8th January.
*During a period of early defending by Beechy goalkeeper Elina Parker was in action dealing with an overhit long ball hit deep into the penalty area. Some top-class defending by Megan Mirfield denied the Boltonians No8 a shot on target and Shauna Smith made a superb ball winning tackle as the visitors attempted to force an early goal. Gradually Beechy got a tighter grip on this Division 1 fixture and great skill by Natasha Herity set-up a chance for Jess Lawson who's effort was just off target. There was another attempt to score by Jess then a volley from Becky Topping flew inches wide as Beechy created some excellent passing moves on the artificial surface.
Boltonians directed most of their attacks down the left wing which were dealt with by Alice Mosley who made several vital clearances when under pressure. Becky Gregory, Amie Barratt and Becky Topping combined in a series of counter-attacks and on one occasion a pinpoint pass by Joanna Szafranska found Jess Lawson who fired the ball just wide. There was a good tempo to the game as Beechy continued to enjoy a greater share of the ball and Julie Ward was featured prominently in her role on the left flank. Julie was caught in an offside position following a delightful move involving Becky Gregory, Becky Topping, Amie Barratt and Jess Lawson.
A goalline clearance by Alice Mosley resuced Beechy and during a goalmouth scramble Elina Parker made a brave save when the Boltonians No24 was inches away from knocking the ball into the net. After the visitors won the games first corner a top-quality Beechy move between Joanna, Becky Gregory and Jess was ruined by another offside decision. The visitors No10 created both time and space before firing an effort on target from twenty yards but Elina Parker was well positioned and made a comfortable save. During another period of eye-catching football from Beechy Julie Ward, Amie Barratt and Natasha Herity skilfully worked a move through midfield and the latter curled the ball past the post.
Beechy took the lead with a goal from Amie Barratt who's effort from just outside the area saw the ball deflect off a Boltonians defender and into the net despite a brave attempt to save by the visitors keeper. Following a slight stoppage due to an injury to the Boltonians No9 Beechy maintained control of the contest and were inches away from increasing their lead when a powerful strike by Natasha Herity hit the crossbar. Two minutes later great play between Julie Ward and Becky Gregory carved out a chance for Amie Barratt and Beechy's No25 went close to helping herself to a second goal. Joining an attack down the right wing Joanna Szafranska got into a good position but just couldn't divert the ball into the net.
Stacy Partridge replaced Amie Barratt who suffered a injury a few minutes before the referee ended the first half. Boltonians made a confident start in the second half and briefly forced some positive defending from Shauna Smith, Megan Mirfield and Alice Mosley. After forty nine minutes Beechy went 2-0 up when Natasha Herity ended a mazy run with an inch perfect cross and and via a decisive finish Jess Lawson netted her seventeenth goal of the season. Rarely wasting possession Beechy continued to display a high fitness level and terrfic workrate in all areas of the pitch. The visitors created a few worthwhile chances as they strived to reduce the arrears and both Julie and Megan made vital clearances while Elina made a smart save following a direct free kick.
But after sixty two minutes Boltonians got a goal back courtesy of their No9 who created a solo run into the area before adding an accurate low finish. Beechy were quick to respond from the setback and created two good chances when Jess Lawson's effort was dealt with by the visitors keeper after a great pass from Becky Gregory. Then at the end of a move involving Stacy Partridge and Becky Topping a powerful effort by Natasha Herity hit the side netting. The non-stop action was end to end and a superb piece of skill by Becky Gregory produced a shooting opportunity for Jess Lawson who was denied another goal by the agile Boltonians keeper.
Returning to the Beechy squad after missing four games due to an injury was Aimee Armsden who replaced Becky Topping in the 73rd minute. A fierce drive by Jess Lawson dipped over the crossbar after a disguised pass from Joanna Szafranska and a minute later another mazy run by Natasha Herity won Beechy a corner. More solid defending from Alice, Megan and Shauna denied Boltonians the chance of causing a late upset before Jess supplied the pass that resulted in Beechy's third goal scored by Natasha Herity who produced a spectacular finish. The three points were guaranteed in the 83rd minute when Natasha Herity completed the scoring following a superb defence splitting pass from Aimee Armsden.