Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: January 24 2017 22:19:54 By Keith Long - Penalty Shoot-Out Success For Sat Morning Team

Following a penalty-shoot out Beechfield United Saturday Morning Senior Team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Manchester Evening News Cup. United had home advantage for the 2nd Round tie against Blackley Town that finished 2-2 after ninety minutes and extra time. Beechy took the lead in the 21st minute when Wes Pierce went on a mazy run down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross into the area. Roy Owen operated the perfect dummy that wrong-footed a Blackley defender and the ball was hammered into the net by Kane Branigan. United were ahead for just seven minutes when the visitors courtesy of a neat one-touch finish by their main striker equalised.

Nine minutes into the second half United regained the lead thanks to a lightning counter-attack and a smart finish by Roy Owen. Both teams continued to compete fiercely for possession and on the hour mark Blackley Town were rewarded with a second equalising goal. It was nip and tuck for the rest of normal time and an extra thirty minutes couldn't separate the sides. The players were suddenly faced with the dreaded spot-kick decider and United won the shoot-out 5-4. Beechy's successful penalty takers were Scott Foulds, Roy Owen, John Bolton, Damon Whitbread and Kane Branigan. Stand-in keeper Tim McQueeney made several brilliant saves during the contest but voted Man of the Match was Daniel Eckersley.