POSTED: October 11 2022 18:09:06 By Keith Long
- Tremendous Display Earns Thunder Victory
Away to FC Snipes Beechfield United Under 18's Thunder produced a tremendous performance after playing throughout this Bolton Bury and District Section B fixture with just eleven players.
*Thunder fully deserved the three points following their 6-3 victory and every player made a vital contribution to the teams success. Making a confident start FC Snipes enjoyed more of the ball but a very composed Beechy back four of Taonga Mututa, Harry Shaw, Konstantin Hristova and Callum Snaith defended superbly as they kept the hosts at bay. Eventually Thunder got a foothold in the game and an effort from Sonny Stephens flashed just wide of the target but moments later Sonny was rewarded when from a free kick he fired Beechy ahead via an unstoppable strike with his weaker foot. Soon after Thunder went 2-0 up when Sonny Stephens was on target again and gradually Beechy started to dominate the game.
Thunder led 3-0 when Max Chidgey went on a dazzling solo run in midfield leaving the FC Snipes defence in his wake and the hosts keeper failed to stop the ball from ending up in the back of the net. FC Snipes reduced the arrears just before half time and the hosts forced Beechy to soak up some heavy pressure early in the second half. Ryley Walker, Lucas Madden and Tom Cox all worked tirelessly to win the midfield battle and Thunder added goal number four through Sonny Stephens who was full of energy and Thunder's main striker completed his hat-trick. New signing Jake Abrahams impressed with some strong challenges when winning the ball back and his reward for never giving up was a goal when he gave Beechy a 5-1 lead.
FC Snipes had a brief reprieve and after putting Beechy under some sustained pressure added their second goal via a long range effort. Thunder responded and thanks to Man of the Match Sonny Stephens who netted his fourth goal of the game Beechy went 6-2 up. Andrew Woodward who moved into midfield handed the goalkeeping duties to Ryley Walker and he made a fine save as the hosts aimed more long range shots at the target. With five minutes to go FC Snipes scored goal number three but by that time Thunder had already been guaranteed their fully deserved victory.