POSTED: November 24 2022 22:11:17. By Keith Long
- Ladies Team Rewarded For Brilliant Performance
Producing their best performance so far this season Beechfield United Ladies were rewarded with a 2-0 home win over Manchester Laces.
*Beechy had a strong line-up on view and included in the squad was recent new signing Mya Holmes who made an impressive debut. The visitors No23 had a decent chance to open the scoring in the third minute but Beechy survived the early scare and quickly found their attacking rhythm. Julie Ward, Amie Barrett, Natasha Herity, Stacy Partridge and Becky Gregory combined in a superb passing move and a first time effort by Aimee Greenwood was well saved by the Laces keeper. The visitors forced two successive corners and on one occasion a close range header by the Laces No43 hit the post before a Beechy defender booted the ball to safety.
Laces No10 was at the heart of a series of counter-attacks but Beechy's back four Julie Ward, Megan Mirfield, Shauna Smith and Monique Pollard defended superbly. At the end of another quick passing move involving Becky Topping, Aimee Greenwood and Natasha Herity the visitors keeper saved an swerving effort on target from Amie Barrett. Beechy keeper Elina Parker was also called into action and displaying a safe pair of hands dealt with a couple of shots from the visitors No10. Mya Holmes replaced Becky Gregory and Beechy's substitute was quickly involved in the match running onto a pass from Stacy Partridge and firing the ball into the side netting.
There was more superb defending from Megan Mirfield, Shauna Smith, Monique Pollard and Julie Ward who made two excellent ball winning tackles when under pressure. Beechy won another free kick in the 38th minute and a brilliant long range effort by Stacy Partridge hit the crossbar then two minutes later Beechy took the lead. Following a corner a goalmouth scramble developed and after the ball had deflected off a Laces player from the edge of the area Amie Barrett hammered it into the bottom corner of the net. Then a surging run by Mya Holmes created a chance for Becky Topping who's shot on target went over the crossbar.
The second half was played in continuous heavy rain and though the visitors were always a threat going forward Beechy dictated the pace of the game. As they dominated possession Beechy created football of the highest quality and the Laces goalkeeper became the busiest player on the pitch. Full backs Julie Ward and Monique Pollard were able to get forward down the flanks fully aware that any gaps left behind would be covered by Player of the Match Megan Mirfield and Shauna Smith. Elina Parker was almost a spectator while in midfield Stacy Partridge had unlimited freedom to spray the ball around ably assisted by Natasha Herity, Becky Topping, Amie Barrett and Becky Gregory.
Keeping the pressure on their opponents Beechy carved out numerous gilt edged chances and Becky Topping, Natasha Herity and Mya Holmes who was replaced by Aimee Greenwood all went close to hitting the back of the net. Both teams continued to brave the elements and during another attacking surge Beechy got goal number two in the final few minutes. A move developed down the left wing and Amie Barrett had an easy close range finish for her second goal of the game when she completed the scoring.