POSTED: September 09 2023 17:20:33 By Keith Long
- Junior Section Match Details 9/9/2023
Fifteen Beechfield United Junior Section Teams kicked off the 2023/2024 season on Saturday 9th September 2023 in heatwave conditions.
*Beechy's Under 7's STORM made a brilliant start to life in the Salford and Districts Junior League when they entertained AFC Monton Mavericks. At one stage Storm trailed by two goals but the Beechy Boys produced a fantastic second half display and eventually won an eleven goal thriller. Beechy had suffered a defeat when they played Monton in a pre-season friendly and this win for Storm was even more impressive because five of the eight players had started with the Holding Group when they were four years old. Goals by Charlie Sykes (Hat-Trick) Isaiah Austins (2) George Omoregie, Henry Charles plus an own goal made up Storm's tally. Charlie was named Player of the Match not just for his hat-trick but for great positivity on the pitch when he started a number of attacks with some great passing.
*Another new Beechy team the Under 8's STORM played their first ever Salford and Districts League fixture when they met Deans Tigers away. The first half started tentatively as both teams eased their way into the game and due to some early season nerves Beechy went a couple of goals down. But after Deans scored their second goal Storm suddenly burst into life and following some brilliant attacking football Beechy reduced the arrears when Jacob McLoughlin burst through the Deans defence and powered the ball past the hosts keeper. As half time approached tireless running from Calvin Hunter kept Deans on the back foot and pinned in their own half. The second half started as the first ended with Storm pressing hard for an equalising goal and it finally arrived from a free kick taken by Jacob Mcloughlin who curled the ball superbly into the bottom corner of the net. Deans strived hard to regain the lead but their attacking play was foiled by some brave defending from Beechy's Player of the Match Sonny Cox and when Deans went close to a goal Storm's goalkeeper Rocky Lineham made some awesome saves. Beechy's hard work was rewarded when Jude Aimson made an outstanding ball winning tackle and at the end of his fantastic solo run he put Storm in front via a great goal. Play continued to switch from end to end and with eight minutes left Deans drew level and as tiredness crept into the Beechy ranks Deans managed to score another two goals to win the game. Storm might have lost the game but all the Boys should be proud of their commitment in the tough conditions.
*Making a fantastic start to the 2023/2024 season were Beechy Under 9's STORM who were in action against Salford Storm Tornadoes. Beechy dominated this Red Group home game and took the lead after five minutes via Alfie Heighway who produced a powerful finish from the edge of the area. (Alfie's celebration following the goal was equally as good) Both Kade Doyle and Oscar Pugh were also on target as Storm remained in control and at the break Beechy held a comfortable three goal advantage. The second half was much the same although this time there were different goalscorers when both Harry Chambers and Jacob Foster scored their first goals for a while which was great to see. Storm who ran out easy winners named Harry and Jacob as joint Man of the Match.
*In the Yellow Group the Under 9's THUNDER soon found their form against Parkwyddn Phoenix when Beechy kicked-off the new season at Beech Farm. Thunder took a deserved lead after some great team play when a cross by Brayden Taylor found Sonny Phillips who finished from close range. The impressive Harley Cosgrove-Newby got in on the act soon after doubling Thunder's lead via a fine solo effort then Hugo Balogun gave Beechy a three goal advantage when Harley turned provider. The tempo of the game went up a level in the second half and despite being handicapped after losing a player Storm continued to control the game and a fantastic solo goal by Sonny Phillips following a run from his own half guaranteed Beechy the win. Parkwyddn Phoenix responded with a consolation goal late in the game. Sharing the Man of the Match award were Grayson Brook-Lefley and Michael Omeregie who were sensational.
*Away at Parkwyddn Phoenix the Under 10's STORM were involved in one of the most entertaining score draws Beechy Manager Matt Wharton has ever witnessed. Having gone up a level this season in the SDJFL the Beechy Boys knew they faced a tough challenge but they raised their game as they tested their opponents strength and ability. The first half was evenly balanced with both teams playing some great football though both goalkeepers weren't really tested. Parkwyddn grabbed the lead when the ball broke to their right winger and he hammered it home from the edge of the area. Regrouping in the second half Beechy dominated the match taking everything they had done in training onto the pitch Storm's fully deserved equaliser arrived after great work from Harvey King down the right wing and his looping cross was met by Austin Pierce and he slotted the ball into the net for his debut goal. Conditions were tough for the players but Beechy played with real intensity and should have won the game. Man of the Match was Scott Ellis-Smith.
*Beechy's new team the Under 12's TORNADOES (9v9) played their first official game in the SDJFL. The Tornadoes were at home to Swinton Jaguars who's players caused numerous problems for the referee. The Jaguars might have had a bit more match experience but the Beechy Boys were praised after the game for their quality performance. On target for the Tornadoes who lost 5-3 were Thomas Brady, Mahan Mirkakhani and Abelmalik Zuway.
*Also at home were the Under 12's THUNDER (9v9) who's opponents were Winton Titans a team who secured victory over Beechy last season. In energy sapping conditions Thunder opened the scoring through Ajab Fakeeh and it was one way traffic as Beechy dominated the game. Maddox Taylor put Thunder 2-0 up then Ajab added the third goal before Maddox fired home the fourth Beechy goal before half time. After a well earned break Thunder continued to control the contest and Ajab Fakeeh took his personal tally to four goals when he made it 6-0. Towards the end of the match the heat took it's toll on the Beechy Boys and Winton Titans managed to reduce the arrears with three goals. Every Thunder player produced a great performance.
*For their first official 11-a-side game the Under 13's STORM had a Division 1 home fixture with Winton Wanderers Rhinos. At Walkden Academy Storm twice held the lead thanks to goals from Reuben Wardle and Harry Wallis but it was the visitors who claimed the three points with a 3-2 victory.
*The Under 14's TORNADOES shared a 2-2 draw with Monton Sports following their first SDJFL Division 2 game of the season. Beechy looked certain to earn all three points thanks to a superb all-round performance but Monton forced an injury time equaliser. Josh Beddows scored both goals for the Tornadoes. Two days earlier goals from Oscar Mather (Hat Trick) Finn Browne, Sonny Bennett and Josh Beddows secured the Tornadoes a 6-4 friendly match victory over Winton Warriors.
*In action on Saturday morning were Beechy Under 15's HURRICANES who were at home against Hough End Griffins. A couple of regular players were missing but both Mag Gill-Williams and Zach Davies made their Beechy debuts. Hough End were more clinical in front of goal especially in the first half but the Hurricanes played better than a 0-4 half time score line might suggest. A superb effort by Joshua Whitehead forced a wonder save from the visitors keeper as the Hurricanes strived to find a way back into the contest. The players confidently dealt with the heatwave conditions and following a corner Hough End added a fifth goal in the latter stages. Rafael Alacron was named the Hurricanes Best Player.
*Playing their inaugural match were Beechy's new team the Under 15's THUNDER who have joined the East Manchester Junior League. On Sunday morning Thunder who had home advantage against Dukinfield Youth Whites had a strong squad available. Beechy lost this Division 3 fixture 6-3 but there were plenty of positives to take from the game. After a shaky start Thunder played some really good football but the boys ran out of steam after chasing the game on such a hot day. Alfie Rostron was vote Man of the Match and goalscorers for Beechy were Rafael Djacy, Joshua Whitehead and Sophiyulah Bakare.
*In their Section C BBDJFL home game against Atherton Cols Colts the U/16's HURRICANES started off brightly and playing some stylish football quickly put the visitors under pressure. Beechy were soon rewarded when Karo Ibodje forced a back pass which he intercepted and slotted the ball into the net for the opening goal. The Hurricanes kept the Colts penned in their own half and following some wonderful team football Kane Wood via a left footed finish edged Beechy two goals ahead. Beechy maintained a tight grip on the game until about the 25th minute when due to the unavailability of substitutes the heat had a marked effect on the Hurricanes players. Atherton Colts took control and helped by Beechy's poor decision making the visitors held a 3-2 lead at half time. The Hurricanes responded in the second half and again found themselves camped in the opposition half but they didn't take their chances and the visitors took a 4-2 lead. But up stepped Man of the Match Brandon Cini who on his debut saved the day when he netted a brace firstly adding the finish to a good team move then getting on the end of an Ethan Mangwiro corner to get Beechy back level at 4-4. If Karo Ibodje had worn his shooting boots he could easily have helped himself to four goals. Full credit to all the Hurricanes players who kept going when they were physically spent.