POSTED: November 20 2019 16:40:23 By Keith Long
- Gutsy Display Fails To Produce Winning Result
Expecting a tough ninety minutes in their Premier Division home game with Stockport Georgians a somewhat depleted Beechfield United first team squad produced a gutsy all-round display but lost a physical encounter 4-1.
A few late team changes had to be made and Beechy were soon under pressure when Georgians forced their first corner in the second minute. United keeper Rob Harrison was called into action saving a low drive by the visitors No8 then he confidently dealt with an effort by Georgians No6. Gradually Beechy enjoyed more of the ball and good link-up play between Louis Duff and Kurtis Lee created a half chance for the latter. United's defensive quartet Mike Rogerson, Ethan Birds and John Purcell had to soak up more pressure as Georgians maintained a constant flow of strong attacks but a loose header back to the keeper gifted the visitors the lead via their No 7. Just a few minutes later the Gregorians No9 saw a fine effort bounce off the top of the crossbar and the visitors came close on a few occasions to increasing their lead.
Both Ellis Carr and Danny Royle made several good runs down the flanks without any reward during a period of decent attacking spells but in the 26th minute United were rewarded with an equaliser. Danny Royle's in swinging corner caused a goalmouth scramble and in a race to get to the loose ball Kurtis Lee got in front of the Gregorians keeper and toe poked it back to John Purcell who side footed it into the empty net for 1-1. But John hardly had time to celebrate his first every Beechy goal when he was back on defensive duty busy dealing with more pressure from a rampant Gregorians outfit. United conceded a throw-in just after the half hour mark and this resulted in Gregorians regaining the lead then following a brief stoppage the visitors went 3-1 up. United kept playing some good football but they rarely tested the Gregorians keeper and at times the match was ruined due to far too many stoppages.
Ellis Carr won Beechy another corner and second half substitute Callum Davies witnessed his first time effort drift wide of the target. Kurtis Lee took up a more defensive role in the second period and as the action moved rapidly from end to end Gregorians rarely wasted possession. Both Teams continued to compete fiercely for possession and the highlights of the second half were a couple of outstanding saves from Rob Harrison and some top-class ball winning tackling by Mike Rogerson. Despite more aggressive play from United they failed to created any real clear-cut chances in the latter stages and in the closing minutes via a breakaway move Gregorians added their fourth goal courtesy of their centre forward.