Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: October 25 2017 18:49:14 By Keith Long - Beechy Ladies Earn Fully Deserved Home Win

Producing a first-class team display Beechfield United Ladies were rewarded with a 4-1 home win over Urmston Meadowside. Weather conditions at Salford Sports Village were dry but fairly breezy when this Greater Manchester Womens League Division 1 match kicked-off. Using a 4-4-2 system Beechy forced the games first throw-in in the first minute then sixty seconds later an effort from Debbie Wright was just wide of the target. Urmston Meadowside replied with a couple of promising moves and both Krystal Hayward and Gemma Winterburn produced valuable defending when under pressure. There was an early touch of the ball for United's stand-in keeper Elina Parker who's intelligent throw-out to Gemma Ottiwell started another useful Beechy attack. Two long range shots by Stacy Partridge went past the post then good link-up play between Hazel Tucker and Becky Topping forced a save from the Urmston keeper. Natasha Kerity, Kim Holt and Stacy Partridge were involved in numerous slick quick passing moves through the midfield but a few offside decisions ruined their fine approach play.

Following a high booted clearance by the visitors No3 the ball bounced awkwardly just outside the area but Julie Ward was alert to the situation and made a timely clearance. On the half hour mark Beechy took the lead when at the end of another swift counter-attack Debbie Wright played the ball back to Natasha Kerity who hammered it past a stranded keeper into the corner of the net from thirty yards. Picking up a loose pass in midfield Urmston's No4 was allowed a free run to the edge of the area but she lobbed the ball over the crossbar. But Beechy continued to dictate the pace of the game and enjoying more of the ball created a glut of chances and an attempt by Natasha Kerity to increase the lead missed the target then a shot by Kim Holt bounced back into play off the post. Another effort from Kim Holt was well held by the keeper as United ended the first half on the attack. At the start of the second half United made their first substitution when Lauren Sharp replaced Hazel Tucker.

During a brief attacking spell from the visitors Gemma Winterburn made a superb ball winning tackle and Gemma Ottiwell who had an impressive ninety minutes foiled an effort by the Urmston No9 who had got into a decent goal scoring position. Slowly finding a better rhythm Beechy kept the pressure on Urmston's defence and a snap shot by Stacy Partridge just cleared the crossbar. But after winning two successive corners United added their second goal on sixty three minutes when a pinpoint cross from Debbie Wright into the area found Lauren Sharp who casually lobbed the ball over the keeper for her first goal of the season. Urmston Meadowside were now forced to do more heavy defending and their keeper was kept busy saving at the second attempt a powerful strike by Becky Topping. A brilliant move involving Stacy Partridge and Kim Holt almost produced the third goal but a cross from the latter was headed straight at the keeper by Natasha Kerity.

Beechy went 3-0 up just a few minutes later after Julie Ward who also scored her first goal this season timed a run into the area to meet a corner taken by Becky Topping and her well directed header flew into the net. Three minutes later totally against the run of play Urmston Meadowside managed to reduce the arrears via a goal from their No10. Sue Howard was soon involved in the fast action after replacing Player of the Match Stacy Partridge. Gemma Ottiwell continued to feature in most of the moves developed down the right flank and an excellent perfectly weighted pass by Kim Holt set-up a chance for Becky Topping who fired the ball over the angle of post and crossbar. Urmston Meadowside suddenly found more joy going forward and the visitors became more of a threat via the counter-attack but Beechy keeper Elina Parker was rarely under pressure in the latter stages. The highlight of the match arrived just seconds before the final whistle when Becky Topping completed the scoring courtesy of a spectacular finish from twenty five yards.

Squad for the Match: Gemma Winterburn, Stacy Partridge, Kim Holt, Hazel Tucker, Gemma Ottiwell, Debbie Wright, Sue Howard, Julie Ward, Natasha Kerity, Nicola Rushton, Krystal Hayward, Becky Topping, Lauren Sharp, Elina Parker.