POSTED: May 18 2023 18:21:12 By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 20/5/2023
In Glorious Sunshine the majority of Beechfield United Junior Section Teams played their final League Games of 2022/2023 and the Season comes to a close following Salford and Districts League Cup Final weekend on 27th & 28th May 2023.
*At Beech Farm Beechy U/7's THUNDER played their final home game of the season against Monton Sport Mavericks. A usual slow start by Beechy resulted in Monton taking the lead befor George Kelly put Thunder in front via two quick goals and a goal from Chase Sixsmith extended Beechy's lead. After making changes Monton got back into the game and against the run of play scored a couple of goals to get on level terms but Chase Sixsmith put Thunder 3-2 up just before half time. It was one-way traffic throughout the second half as Beechy took control and another seven goals was reward for more great football from the Beechy Boys. Both George and Chase took their personal tally to four goals each. Twins Harrison and Oscar Spencer also got in on the act when Harrison was on target with two powerful finishes while Oscar supplied a fine finish following a solo run. The last goal after a scramble on the line was claimed by both Chase and Harrison who will continue to debate the sixty-four dollar question. Thunder's Man of the Match was Oscar Spencer who produced a commanding goalkeeping display in the first half and a great second half playing outfield.
*Using their last league game as a practice match before their Cup Final Beechy U/8's STORM were in action against AFC Monton. After making afine start Beechy took an early lead and went from strength to strength. Seth Barber and Bobby Lowe linked-up several times and before Storm knew it they were five goals up inside ten minutes. Beechy made changes while Monton added an additional player as per the league's power play rule and the vistors reduced the arrears before half time. The pattern of the game remained much the same in the second half as Storm dominated the match and though Monton pulled a few more goals back Storm had already done enough to guarantee the victory following a fine all-round performance. Man of the Match was Oscar Pugh who worked so hard even though he'd been ill in the week leading up to the game. Goalscorers for Beechy were Bobby Lowe, Seth Barber, Alfie Heighway and Oscar Pugh.
*Ahead of their Supplementary Cup final the U/8's THUNDER completed their league fixtures with an away game at Parkwyddn Juniors Phoenix. This was a last chance for the players to to impress before next Sunday's final but Beechy produced a below-par performance and lost the game. Man of the Match was Noah Aspen and consolation goals for Thunder were scored by Hugo Ballogun and Harley Cosgrove-Newby. In their Group D final to be played at Wythenshawe Sports Ground Beechy's opponents are Ordsall Raptors.
*In their away game against Parkwyddn Predators the U/9's STORM produced their best performance of the season against arguably their toughest opponent who have been playing in the top division for most of the campaign. From the moment the Beechy Boys arrived at the hosts home ground they were totally focused and their attitude was great in the warm up. Despite a strong start Storm found themselves a goal down due to a poor decision by the referee who awarded Parkwyddn a free kick. That was the only shot on target from Parkwyddn in the first half and continued pressure from Beechy was finally rewarded with an equalising goal when Barkley Pope fired the ball under the keeper from just outside the area. It was much the same story in the second half as Storm remained on top until another poor decision gifted Parkwyddn another free kick and the hosts regained the lead.
But Beechy's desire and committment did not diminish and winning the ball back high up the pitch Barkley Pope caused havoc in the hosts defence and after the ball broke to Kobe Glass he hammered it into the top corner of the net. Maintaining their attacking threat Storm were caught on the break on one occasion and Beechy were rescued by goalkeeper Joshua Lowery who pulled off a fantastic save. But Beechy were quickly back on the attack and took the lead via Max Schofield who scored one of the goals of the season when he looped a half volley over the keeper and into the net. Storm's victory was guaranteed with their fourth goal when Kobe Glass won a free kick and from the edge of the area Jack Sinclair fired the ball into the bottom cormer of the net. Every Beechy player created a fantastic display so the whole team shared the Man of the Match award.
*The U/10's TORNADOES also used their last league fixture with Prestwich Cobras as a rehearsal ahead of next Sundays Cup Final. Beechy received a wake up call when they conceded an early goal but once the Tornadoes found their rhythm they took control and held a narrow lead at half time. After the break Beechy started much better enjoying most of the early play but as the second half progressed the Tornadoes didn't take their chances and Prestwich Cobras slowly got back into the game. Beechy's opponents found an equaliser and also scored a last minute winning goal. Man of Match Luke Bennett and Kai Barker scored the goals for the Tornadoes.
*The U/11's THUNDER played their penultimate Blue Group fixture of the season at home to De La Salle and following a lacklustre performance especially in the first half Beechy lost this 9v9 game. But after a vital half time team talk by Coach Lee McNulty Thunder looked a completely different team in the second half and could easily have forced a draw had they found the finish to a few good chances. Martin Pankov scored Beechy's consolation goal.
*Back in action in the SDJFL the U/14's HURRICANES faced a tricky Division 1 home game agains Coach Cal Connections. After a fairly evenly balanced opening ten minutes the visitors grabbed the lead when their attacking midfield player found space in the area and fired the ball low into the net. Producing a positive response the Hurricanes almost equalised after Owen Hogben won the ball in midfield and his accurate pass released Oliver Nangle who's great effort flew wide of the target. Despite Beechy's loud appeal for a clear offside the referee allowed the lone Coach Cal striker to move into the area and calmy slot the ball home for the visitors second goal. The Hurricanes went 3-0 down when they repeatedly failed to clear the ball out of the danger zone and the visitors took advantage after the referee waved away Beechy's valid appeal for offside. The Hurricanes overall performance improved in the second half and Beechy were eventually rewarded with a consolation goal via Owen Hogben who netted at the second attempt following a free kick taken by Joshua Whitehead. Result Beechy Hurricanes 1 v Coach Cal Connections 3.