POSTED: October 28 2021 13:13:29 By Keith Long
- Great Performance But Not The Right Result
Beechy Ladies were forced to make team changes before their away game with Bolton Lads & Girls on 24/10/2021 but following a great all-round display didn't deserve to suffer a 2-1 defeat.
Several key players were unavailable for this Greater Manchester Womens League Divison 1 fixture and making her Beechy debut was Rosie Moorcroft while United's back four included Emily Walmsley, Stacy Partridge, Kirsten Elrick and Monique Pollard. Bolton Girls kicked off the match but Beechy quickly won possession and Nicola Campion forced a corner after just twenty seconds. Monique Pollard produced a great piece of defending then Beechy keeper Holly Grimes dealt with an effort on target by the hosts No7 from about twenty five yards. Both Becky Gregory and Becky Topping were soon involved winning numerous challenges for the ball in midfield as Beechy made a confident start on their opponents Astroturf Pitch. When Bolton Girls created three successive counter-attacks down the left wing on each occasion Emily Walmsley remained totally focused and responded with some excellent defending.
A spectacular effort by Stacy Partridge hit the top of the crossbar with the Bolton Girls stranded in the area but Nicola Campion fired the rebound off target. A first time effort from Aimee Greenwood dipped over the crossbar as Beechy searched for the all important first goal. More positive attacking play from Bolton Girls forced some solid defending from Beechy's back four and a brave save from Holly Grimes denied the hosts No11 the chance to open the scoring. A free kick by Bolton Girls No6 hit the post just before the hosts went 1-0 up on the half-hour mark after a fine finish via their No8. Ashleigh Morris replaced Rosie Moorcroft who had made an impressive debut and Beechy continued to drive forward in search of an equaliser but they lacked the required finish when chances arrived.
Two minutes into the second half Bolton Girls increased their lead courtesy of their star player who produced a delicate lob over the keeper making Beechy's task much tougher and at times the match was spoiled by far too many stoppages. Jessica Jones replaced Beechy Gregory who had suffered an injury and quickly involved Jessica dropped deep to do some vital defending. Bolton Girls always threatened to score again and Emily Walmsley, Stacy Partridge, Kirsten Elrick and Monique Pollard needed to remain alert especially when the hosts adopted the long ball option. Both Becky Topping and Ashleigh Morris competed with real aggression for possession in a sometimes congested midfield and when Beechy raised their game Sophie Addison who had a fairly quiet game by her standards made several surging runs down the right wing.
A free kick taken by Sophie headed towards the far post by Aimee Greenwood almost resulted in a debut goal for Rosie Moorcroft who had rejoined the match thanks to the roll-on-roll-off substitution rule. Nicola Campion also returned to the action when she replaced the injured Becky Topping prior to what proved to be Beechy's consolation goal. In the 77th minute a cleverly disguised pass from Stacy Partridge was controlled by Sophie Addison who after beating the offside trap added a decisive finish. Beechy went close to forcing at least a draw in the closing stages but the Bolton Girls defence remained well organised and the hosts were able to secure the win and the three points.