POSTED: May 21 2023 20:04:57. By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 13/5/2023
Beechfield United U/17s STORM met Radcliffe Junior Devils in their penultimate game of the season and following an action packed ninety minutes this Section B fixture ended 5-5.
*Due to injuries and cricket committments Beechy had only eleven players available for this Bolton Bury and District League away game. After making a decent start Storm found themselves 2-0 down and Beechy expected the floodgates to open but the opposite happened. Alfie S Jones reduced the arrears with his sixth goal of the season when his cross-cum-shot which looped over the Radcliffe goalkeeper and into the net. Evan Hodson-Griffiths was on target when he made it 2-2 and Beechy's top goalscorer had a chance to put Storm ahead just before half time. But early in the second half Evan re-discovered his finishing touch when he rifled the ball home to give Storm the lead but following a poor back pass Radcliffe Juniors made it 3-3. From thirty five yards and on the left wing Evan restored Beechy's lead when he completed his hat-trick with the goal of the season. Then with fifteen minutes left to play Evan netted his thirty third goal of the campaign to edge Storm 5-3 up but with no substitutes available and in the hot conditions the Beechy Boys began to tire. Radcliffe Juniors got their fourth goal and for the final five minutes in a fantastic backs to the wall display Storm just couldn't hold onto their lead when the hosts scored their fifth goal.
*Beechy U/13's TORNADOES lost 4-2 following their Division 2 away game at Signol Athletic. In a really tight contest in the Salford and Districts League the Tornadoes played arguably their best football of the season. Unfortunately three big errors by Beechy were capitalised on by their Maple Bridge opponents but despite the cruel setbacks the Tornadoes battled back and made the scoreline look more respectable. On target for Beechy were Oscar Mather and Jayden Hoye.
*As they prepare for their Supplementary Cup final the U/12's STORM are playing a series of friendly matches. At home against AFC Burnden Park a high energy performance from the Beechy Boys was rewarded with a 6-1 victory. Roman Sandaji put Storm 1-0 up and as Beechy dictated the pace of the game Connor O'Sullivan, Elijah Knott and Eiman Sandaji were involved in several fast flowing moves. Beechy keeper Reuben Wardle made a top-class save just before Storm took a 2-0 lead when Roman Sandaji produced another surging run and decisive finish. Burnden Park forced a couple of corners but quality defending from Amir Ahmadipour denied the visitors to Beech Farm the chance to reduced the arrears. Mikeal Omotayo was soon involved in the fast action when he made his first appearance in the game which moved at a terrific pace from end to end. Following a brilliant save by the Burnden Park keeper his teammate the No5 missed a great chance for the visitors from close range.
Burnden Park made a positive start in the second half and Reuben Wardle was soon in action with a confident save while Callum Norris produced some great defending under pressure. Several times Elijah Knott displayed excellent skill on the left wing while Eiman Sandaji also showed his ability when in possession of the ball. The visitors No10 & No14 were always at the heart of the majority of Burnden Parks counter-attacks but Storm's defenders were able to soak up the pressure. Roman Sandaji increased Beechy's lead when he completed his hat-trick and soon after Storm's third goal Roman's brother Eiman made it 4-0 via a close range finish. A great piece of play by Harry Wallis carved out a chance for Elijah Knott who's first time effort flew over the crossbar then Harry was involved in the move that led to goal number five scored by Roman Sandaji. Burnden Park's consolation goal arrived during the latter stages and twice Nathan Kay made excellent ball winning tackles when the visitors attempted to score again and it was Nathan who netted Storm's sixth goal. Amir Ahmadipour was voted Man of the Match.
*The U/11's THUNDER (9v9) started a run of three games against probably the three best teams in their Division. Away at Salford Storm Thunderbolts it soon became clear for the Beechy Boys that that their opponents game plan was a big kick from the keeper up to the two hosts strikers one extremely quick and the other a powerful player who used his strength. It was no real surprise that Thunder played the better football and Beechy took the lead when Maddox Taylor went on a clear run and despite the prescence of the on rushing keeper Maddox added a powerful finish into the top corner of the net. The Thunderbolts equalised through one of their forementioned moves then just before half time the hosts grabbed a 2-1 lead. Thunder equalised early in the second half when Ajab Fakeeh sped down the left wing and his cross was diverted into the patch of Roman Jackson who slotted the ball low into the net. Both Thunderbolts strikers were a constant handful for Beechy's defenders and following two more goals Salford Storm went 4-2 up. Once again the hosts defence couldn't deal with another surging run from Ajab Fakeeh who's accurate cross found Ollie Sixsmith and he fired home Beechy's third goal. With time running out Thunder were desperate for an equaliser but they were caught napping when a quick goal kick was intercepted and Storm's fifth goal guaranteed the hosts the victory. All the Beechy players were superb throughout the game and they deserved a lot more following their dynamic performance.
*Local rivals Moorside Rangers Green were the U/10's HURRICANES opponents on Saturday morning and regarding the game itself the Hurricanes coach couldn't fault the players committment. This was Rangers last game of the season and the feeling was that they would step up the pressure and when this happened the Beechy Boys tried to stay calm. Some of the footwork from the Hurricanes was absolutely outstanding including Kenny Copeland, Lewis Adams and Myles Harris who loved having the ball at their feet plus the confidence of keeping possession was magnificent at this age. The Hurricanes have one more game left to play and this has been a special season for many different reasons and the feeling is that something exciting will happen if this squad stays together.
*On Sunday morning Beechy U/10's TORNADOES had an away game with Manchester Maccabi Panthers and once again the weather was perfect for football. The Tornadoes who only had seven players available knew they faced a tough game against a very good Maccabi outfit. It was Maccabi who created the early chances but despite a slow start Beechy managed to nullify the hosts attacking threat. Once the Tornadoes found a better rhythm chances to take the lead were on offer but following a fairly evenly balanced first half it remained goalless at half time. The pattern of play was much the same in the second half albeit that Beechy had more of the ball but once again the Tornadoes couldn't find that all elusive winning goal and the teams shared a scoreless draw. Jack Hoatson and Jacob Rowland were Beechy's standout players who covered many positions on the day. The referee nominated Jack Hoatson as the Tornadoes Man of the Match and Beechy were happy with another clean sheet following their impressive display.
*In perfect weather conditions the U/8's STORM produced a very good all-round performance in their home game with Winton Wanderers Hornets. Harry Chambers was Beechy's goalkeeper in the first half and he was soon involved making a confident save before Bobby Lowe and Alfie Heighway combined to win Storm their first corner. Great defending by Jacob Foster denied Winton's attempt to score the opening goal just before a move involving Oscar Pugh and Bobby Lowe resulted in Beechy taking the lead via Alfie Heighway. A few minutes later Alfie was on target again with Storm's second goal and suddenly under pressure Winton relied heavily on their overworked keeper A corner to the visitors was confidently dealt with and shortly after Beechy added their third goal when Alfie Heighway completed his hat-trick following another fine finish. Winton's main striker supplied a powerful finish when he reduced the arrears after a breakaway attack down the right wing. An own goal restored Storm's three goal advantage and more great play featuring Kade Doyle, Oscar Pugh and Alfie Heighway forced a couple of brilliant saves from the Winton keeper.
Early after the restart Jacob Foster was in action at both ends of the pitch firing the ball wide then in the right place to deny the visitors with some solid defending. Harry Heathcote-Caire Beechy's goalie in the second half made a smart reaction save then he faced a penalty for Winton who's spot-kick taker added his teams second goal. An effort by Bobby Lowe hit the crossbar prior to Kade Doyle firing home Storm's fifth goal and it was Kade who scored the sixth and seventh goals for his hat-trick as Beechy continued to control the game. Harry Heathcote-Caire almost saved Winton's second penalty that resulted in the visitors completing the scoring in the closing minutes.
*There was a disappointing day at the office for Beechy U/8's THUNDER who produced a below-par display at home to Salford United Juniors and Beechy managed to escape with a draw. Straight from the kick-off Thunder who were slow around the pitch went a goal down after a brilliant free kick but gradually Beechy improved slightly. The hard working Harley Cosgrove-Newby won the ball high up the pitch and equalised after deflecting it past the keeper. Brayden Taylor with his 39th goal of the season fired Thunder into the lead via a superb finish then from a corner Noah Aspen netted Beechy's third goal. Thunder's goalkeeper Cody Elwell-Eyres made some fantastic saves before Salford United replied with two goals to earn a draw. Beechy's Man of the Match was Hugo Balogum who displayed great ability on the ball plus a fantastic range of passing.
* For their latest fixture the U/7's THUNDER travelled to play Urmston Town Leopards and this mini-soccer game went head in glorious sunshine on a perfect pitch. Beechy made a slow start and unable to get out of first gear found themselves conceding the opening goal. It took Thunder a few minutes before they stepped up a level and Chase Sixsmith equalised when he flew down the left wing and slotted the ball low into the net. Then Jude Bond gave Beechy the lead with arguably the best solo goal of the season after he won the ball in Thunder's half and running the length of the pitch beating every Urmston player several times before finding the back of the net. Jude Bond forced some serious recovery work from Urmston when he helped himself to two more goals and earn a second successive hat-trick. Beechy conceded a soft goal after switching off and walking back ready for a goal kick when the ball was still in play. With one of his signature long range free kicks George Kelly got goal number five to take his seasons tally to twenty. Both teams remained fully committed in the second half and Thunder increased their lead via Harrison Spencer who broke through the hosts defence with real pace before finding the net and after Urmston pulled a goal back Jude Bond quickly punished the hosts with his fourth and Beechy's seventh goal. A late foul in the area resulted in Urmston winning a penalty and the hosts completed the scoring from the spot-kick. Thunder's Man of the Match was Chase Sixsmith who played in different positions during the game and for doing a great job for his team.