Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: January 14 2023 18:58:25 By Keith Long - Junior Section Match Details 14th/15th Jan 2023

There were a raft of postponements in the Junior Section when the majority of the fixtures were victim of the adverse weather. Just a few games were played.

*Beechfield United Under 7's Thunder were involved in a thoroughly entertaining game of football in their Sunday lunchtime away fixture with Maccabi Meercats. The first half was a tight affair with chances missed by both teams while Thunder's Man of the Match Oscar Spencer denied Maccabi multiple times with some great goalkeeping. On the stroke of half time Maccabi took the lead from the penalty-spot. In the second half the contest remained evenly balanced until Maccabi grabbed two quick goals one a scrambled effort then another from a long range free kick. Beechy continued to display their battling qualities and both Jude Bond and Harrison Spencer forced some great saves from the Maccabi keeper. Thunder reduced the arrears when Harrison Spencer bundled the ball towards the goalline for George Kelly to add an easy finish. Then George scored his second goal when he went on a solo run and found the back of the net via a well placed shot. Unfortunately Beechy ran out of time as they searched for a deserved equaliser.

*The Under 8's Storm had a Sunday away game at Manchester Maccabi Blues in the Red Division and making a good start to the game Storm defended well playing out confidently from the back. Beechy created plenty of chances but at times were let down by taking an extra touch on the ball but Storm were eventually rewarded. Twice Seth Barber found the back of the Maccabi net with a couple of well taken goals and Beechy held a fairly comfortable lead at half time. The boys were asked to give the same committment in the second half whilst rotating goalkeepers and though Storm played below their normal high standard and wasted possession far too easily they were always the better team and secured a deserved victory. Also on target with goals for Beechy were Oscar Pugh, Alfie Heighway and Kade Doyle while Man of the Match was Harry Chambers who had a great game in defence.

*After a lengthy lay-off the Under 9's Storm were back in action but due to illness Beechy had only seven players available for their match with Salford Storm. To guarantee the game went ahead it was moved to an Astroturf Pitch but at times the Beechy Boys found it difficult on the artificial surface. But despite any issues Beechy's players were magnificent and though they dominated the first half the finishing touch was missing until Max Schofield hammered the ball into the top corner of the net to give Beechy the lead. Salford Storm were limited to just a few half chances but they equalised from virtually their only real attack in the first twenty five minutes.

Producing some great all-round team play Beechy took control of the game and Barkley Pope and Harvey King were relentless on the wings giving the Salford Storm defenders a really tough time. Max Schofield dominated the midfield area while Scott Ellis-Smith created a quality display performance in his first game playing upfront. The defensive trio of Harry Wharton, Joshua Lowery and Sebastian Jones gave Beechy a solid foundation at the back. During the period when Beechy added another four goals Man of the Match Scott Ellis-Smith netted a terrific hat-trick and Max Schofield was on target again with and absolute worldie of a free kick.

*A good overall team performance by the Under 9's Tornadoes was unrewarded following their SDJFL away game against Winton Spiders. Every Beechy player produced a top-class display but after conceding an unlucky opening goal the Tornadoes struggled to put the ball in the hosts net especially in the first half. Beechy's Man of the Match award went to Jayden Lowe for his great defensive performance throughout the game.

*Beechy Under 10's Tornadoes Manager Ryan Pugh said his teams away fixture with Monton Sports was one of the best games he's been involved in. Last season Beechy's opponents reached two cup finals and in this game the quality on show was frightening from two extremely talented groups of players. Storm made a slight change in team formation when they operated with three main defenders instead of the usual two and this sysyem worked a treat. Monton weren't allowed much time on the ball and a long range effort from Jack Hoatson which gave the keeper no chance put Beechy a goal ahead at half time. The hosts scored two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half but following another fine strike Jack Hoatson soon got Storm back on level terms. With ten minutes to go Monton regained the lead via a goal from long range while their keeper made numerous outstanding saves which earned generous applause from the players parents. The Beechy Boys refused to be beaten and were rewarded with an equalising goal in the last few minutes through River Langford. Following an absolutely fantastic performance the whole Beechy team shared the Man of the Match award.

*Playing their first home game of the season on an Astroturf Pitch were Beechy Under 13's Tornadoes who met Kingsway Athletic North. In this Salford and Districts Junior League Division 2 fixture Kingsway took the lead early in the first half following a defensive lapse by Beechy. Seconds before the whistle for half time the Tornadoes equalised when a lovely through ball from Radwan Fakeeh found Jayden Hoye who rounded the keeper for 1-1. Kingsway scored again during the early stages of the second half and despite their best efforts the Tornadoes couldn't find another goal to force at least a draw and eventually lost 2-1. This was a great display from the Beechy Boys against a team who'll probably finish as runner's up in the league table at the end of the season.