POSTED: March 31 2023 10:47:31. By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 25/3/2023
Following their 3-Way Group B play off games Beechfield United U/10's TORNADOES booked their place in the Supplementary Cup Final.
*In the Salford and District League the Tornadoes opponents in the Group were Winton Galaxy and Prestwich Cobras and the play-off occured after all three teams finished on equal points. Beechy met Winton in their first game and during a tense opening period Winton had a few goalscoring opportunities. But the Tornadoes settled down and gradually imposing themselves on the game dominated the rest of the first half. Defending well and creating some good chances Beechy took the lead via Kai Barker before Archie Charles added the Tornadoes second goal which secured the win.
*Before the game against Prestwich Cobras the Beechy Boys knew they were just one win away from the final. After previous games between the teams the Tornadoes had never beaten their opponents but this was a more confident all-round Beechy performance. As the Tornadoes battled well keeper Harvey Pugh made some great saves while Jacob Rowland who dominated the midfield helped create several chances. Kai Barker added to his goals tally for the day before Jack Hoatson netted goal number two then from a free kick Jacob Rowland completed the scoring to guarantee the Tornadoes their place in the final. Man of the Match for the two games awarded by the players were Harvey Pugh and Jacob Rowland.
*The U/16's TYPHOON produced one of their best performances of the season in their home game against North Walkden Hawks and were rewarded with a 2-0 victory. Prior to this Bolton Bury and District League fixture North Walkden were unbeaten Section D leaders and in a feisty encounter Beechy were up and running straight from the kick-off. Thanks to a Reece James double strike Typhoon were good value for their 2-0 lead at half time. Playing against the wind in the second half Beechy battled to retain their lead as North Walkden fought back but due to some top-class defending Typhoon keeper Peter Ellis barely had a save to make. Beechy went close to another goal when an effort hit the post and there was a loud appeal for a penalty which the referee waved away. There was quite a bit of injury time but Typhoon managed to stay firm and fully deserved their victory. Back in the team following a long term injury was Jopseph Bothamley and his action packed performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
*Beechy U/7's THUNDER continued their recent run of winning results with a superb display at home to AFC Monton Eagles. The visitors to Beech Farm took the lead when following a free kick the ball was caught in the wind and help set-up Monton's goal. But Thunder responed and taking control held a commanding half time lead through goals from Harrison Spencer, Jude Bond and George Kelly. Beechy continued to dominate the match in the second half and increased their lead when Harrison Spencer netted his second goal of the game then from that moment it was the Chase Sixsmith show when he grabbed a hat-trick of strikes in quick succession. Monton Eagles grabbed a couple of late consolation goals but Thunder were already home and dry as they made it three wins on the trot. The Man of the Match award was given to the whole team for a thoroughly impressive all-round performance.
*Playing away at Deans Youth Sports the U/8's THUNDER suffered an agonising penalty-shoot-out defeat in their last Supplementary Group game. Thunder who needed to win to guarantee their route to the final are now left waiting on other results in the competition. A tight first half ended goalless but this wasn't a reflection on Beechy's dominance of the game and the hosts had their goalkeeper to thank for some fantastic saves. Early in the second half Deans took the lead via their first shot on target but Thunder soon forgot the minor setback and surging forward as a team created numerous chances forcing Deans to rely on some desperate defending. Eventually Beechy found an equalising goal when Brayden Taylor scored for the thirteenth game in a row with a sweet strike that saw the ball enter the net off the post. Harley Cosgrove-Newby won Thunder a penalty in normal time which was missed and Beechy could still have won the tie had it not been for more Deans last ditch defending. In the penalty kick decider Sonny Phillips got Beechy off to the perfect start and keeper Hugo Balogun produced one brilliant save. Thunder's Manager Scott Taylor said he was proud of all the players and named Noah Aspen as Man of the Match for his great defensive display.
*The U/9's STORM fought out the most entertaining goalless draw of the season a scoreline that flattered Beechy's opponents Longford Park Black. This was due to the fact that Storm's goalkeeper was a mere spectator and Beechy just couldn't put the ball in the net. It was just one of those days when the Beechy Boys played some great football as they passed and moved the ball really good only to lack the finishing touch. Storm's Man of the Match was Barkley Pope who played his first game up front and caused absolute chaos in the Deans defence winning the ball high up the pitch and being a nuisance throughout the game.
*Without an official league fixture the U/12's STORM (9v9) played a friendly match away against St Johns Lions. After making a slow start Beechy found themselves 2-0 down but they recovered and once they got into gear took control and secued an emphatic 9-2 victory. On target with goals for Storm were Roaman Sandaji (Hat-Trick) Man of the Match Harry Wallis (2) Timothy Badewa (2) Elijah Knott and Ethan Seddon.
*Back in Salford and District League Division 1 action were the U/14's HURRICANES who made the long away trip to face second place team Hough End Griffins Lions. Beechy who celebrated a 3-0 victory were missing three key players and they began the game playing against a strong wind and following a gritty first half performance from the Hurricanes with chances at both ends the score was 0-0 at the break. Beechy went 1-0 up when Alfie Rostron won the ball from a goal kick and moved it onto Finlay Unsworth who showed great footwork when beating two opponents before drilling a low shot under the diving keeper. A superb pass over the top from Owen Hogben on the halfway line released Finlay Unsworth who forced a great save from the hosts keeper. The Hurricanes second goal came from a corner taken by Alfie Rostron when the ball swerved in the wind and dropped over the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Another excellent pass by Alfie Rostron sent JJLowery on a clear run and after the Hough End keeper rushed forward to reach the ball JJ rolled it goalward from a tight angle but a hosts defender cleared it off the line for a corner. During a slight reshuffle Sophiyulah Bakare was back at centre half while Owen Hogben moved to left back with five in midfield. Goal number three arrived when Man of the Match Alfie Rostron won possession on the left wing and curled a great ball into the area for JJLowery who executed a first time volley from the penalty-spot. The Hough End keeper produced excellent saves during the late stages to deny efforts from Alfie and Henry Errington.
*Looking to get some match fitness were the U/17's STORM who had no official league fixture so they arranged a friendly game with AFC Monton. Missing a couple of players Beechy were involved in a closely contested first half which ended goalless. In the second half Evan Hodson-Griffiths saw an effort hit the underside of the crossbar and Bradley Oliver had a close range shot tipped onto the post. Storm had just one substitute available and as tiredness crept in AFC Monton took the lead through a close range header and with a couple of minutes to go a low cross into the area deflected off a Beechy defender for Monton's second goal. Despite the 2-0 defeat this was a solid performance from Storm which they need to take into the final six games of the season.