Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: October 27 2022 19:09:58 By Keith Long - Ladies Team Suffer League Cup Defeat

At home against Boltonians Ladies in the 1st Round of the League Cup Beechy Ladies went out of the competition following a penalty shoot-out.

*Their previous Greater Manchester Womens League fixture was postponed so Beechy were glad to be back in action on Sunday 23rd October 2022. The visitors to David Lewis Playing Fields quickly found a good attacking rhythm forcing some early Beechy defending and both Shauna Smith and Megan Mirfield produced well judged headed clearances while Beechy keeper Alice Mosley dealt with a shot on target from the Boltonians No11. When Beechy created some positive attacks Becky Topping, Becky Gregory, Aimee Armsden and Aimee Greenwood were all involved within the midfield.

When Boltonians enjoyed a greater share of the ball excellent defending from Julie Ward and Player of the Match Megan Mirfield denied the visitors an early lead. At times Beechy wasted possession but they took the lead via leading goalscorer Jess Lawson who supplied a decisive finish for the opening goal following a superb through ball from Stacy Partridge. Both goalkeepers were kept busy as the action drifted from end to end and after creating several decent chances Boltonians equalised courtesy of their No9. Four minutes later after the ball was lost in midfield Beechy trailed 2-1 when the visitors No9 finished a move down the left wing.

Beechy continued to produce some positive attacking football and on one occasion Becky Gregory fired the ball just over the crossbar after a neat exchange of passess between Jess Lawson and Kirsten Elrick. When Beechy made a tactical change at the start of second half Joanna Szafranska replaced Kirsten Elrick and Joanna quickly dealt with Boltonians strong attacking threat alongside Julie, Megan and Shauna. The visitors keeper made a couple of fairly easy saves while Alice Mosley was forced into action on numerous occasions.

During a scrappy period of play Boltonians dictated the pace of the game and continually threatened to extend their lead as a large percentage of the game was situated in Beechy's half. Against the run of play Beechy found an equalising goal after they were awarded a free kick following a foul on Aimee Armsden. Producing the highlight of the game Jess Lawson made it 2-2 when she superbly curled the ball beyond the visitors keeper from thirty five yards. After the full time whistle the teams were involved in a penalty kick decider which Boltonians won 5-3.