Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: November 30 2017 13:38:50 By Keith Long - Hard-Earned Narrow Victory For Beechy Ladies

The Crompton Ladies versus Beechfield United Ladies fixture was reversed to Salford Sports Village and a later than normal kick off meant the match was played under the floodlights a first for both sets of players this season. Beechy were hoping to continue with their winning streak the last two games producing a total of eleven goals scored and just two conceded. But Crompton immediately put Beechy under pressure and United struggled to get a foothold in the game. Playing some lovely football Crompton Ladies were rewarded with the opening goal when an attack down the right flank forced a mistake from a Beechy defender and the ball was fired past United keeper Rachel Howarth. For the next twenty minutes both teams worked hard but they wasted numerous chances as they action went quickly from end to end. Player of the Match Natasha Herity, Debbie Wright, Sophie Wainwright, Joanna Szafranska and Stacy Partridge all came close to getting Beechy an equaliser but their efforts were either saved by the Crompton keeper or flew wide of the target.

Beechy's coach Hannah Hipkin-Steele decided to change the teams formation and Becky Topping was introduced and within five minutes made it 1-1 when she unleashed a powerful shot that gave the keeper no chance. For the remainder of the first half Beechy created more chances but the finishing touch was missing. The second half began and a similar pattern developed with Crompton on top forcing some mistakes from the Beechy Ladies. But gradually Beechy began a positive fightback and looked likely to score again following both corners and free kicks. Finally what proved to be United's match winning goal arrived via Stacy Partridge who evaded a couple of strong tackles on the right flank and produced a superb finish hammering the ball past the keeper who was covering her near post into the bottom corner of the net for 2-1. Shortly after the final whistle Beechy Ladies trooped off the pitch so happy they had won the game. Though they had played well blow their normal high standard the result keeps them in with a slight chance of catching Division 1 leaders Didsbury FC who they play away and home in their next two fixtures.

Team Squad was: Rachel Howarth, Krystal Haywood, Gemma Winterburn, Shauna Smith, Julie Ward, Elina Parker, Sophie Wainwright, Stacy Partridge, Joanna Szafranska, Natasha Hertity, Debbie Wright, Becky Topping, Hannah Susnjara, Lauren Sharp.