Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: January 16 2019 20:12:29 By Keith Long - Series Of Errors Cost Sat Morn Team Dearly

In their top of the table clash away at Hazel Grove a series of unforced errors cost Beechfield United Saturday Morning Senior Team dearly. Against the Division 1 league leaders Beechy only had themselves to blame for a 7-4 defeat. On a very small and bumpy pitch United made the perfect start when recent new signing Tom Helsby sent winger Scott Foulds clear down the right wing, Scott easily beat an Hazel Grove defender and sent a cross into the penalty area, Issiaka Saba instantly controlled the ball and laid it off to Tom Helsby who with his back to the target turned quickly then fired it into the bottom corner of the net. But United didn't capitalise on their early goal and suddenly found themselves under pressure and the hosts drew level. Beechy had a throw-in and the ball was hurled down the line but possession was surrendered far too easily and the ball was back inside United's area. United's defence failed to deal with what should have been a straightforward clearance thus presenting an Hazel Grove forward with the easy chance of netting the hosts their equalising goal.

Five minutes later Beechy were 2-1 down when a ball into the area went unchallenged and that allowed the Hazel Grove No8 to head the ball onto the hosts right winger who volleyed it into the net. Hazel Grove added a third goal after another ten minutes play when following a mistimed tackle inside the area United conceded a needless penalty. United quickly bounced back and on the half hour mark Beechy reduced the arrears via another good move down the right hand side. Scott Foulds delivered a pinpoint cross and Tom Helsby neatly brought the ball under control before passing it onto Issiaka Saba and he added a clinical finish. With half time looming United were starting to get a stronger foothold in the game and would have been happy to be just one goal behind at the break. But once again Beechy were guilty of untidy defending in the middle of the pitch and Hazel Grove led 4-2 a score line that flattered the hosts at half time.

The next forty five minutes proved to be a repeat of the first as United were sloppy in possession and second best when challenging for the ball. Beechy went 5-2 down but rallied and were looking good when Tom Helsby scored his second debut goal with a neat finish to make it 5-3. The goal should have inspired United to go on and get something more from this game but unfortunately they were caught out again, however the sixth Hazel Grove goal was clearly offside. United continued to push hard to get back into the match and were rewarded with their fourth goal by Dean Quinn to set-up a great finish to a game that was now well balanced and a fifth Beechy goal would certainly have produced an exciting last ten minutes. But just as before more poor defending from United gifted Hazel Grove another goal and a 7-4 victory. Beechy were left feeling rather dejected because they could have won this game but poor possession, a lack of winning enough of the 50/50 challenges plus ragged defending cost them dearly. (Match Date 12th January 2019)