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*When the teams met seven days earlier Beechy won that Section B fixture 6-1 so they were hoping to repeat the feat. The visitors who had a slightly changed line-up on view made a confident start and during one early attack the Flixton No7 hammered the ball high over the crossbar from outside the area. Milonga Mututa, Luke O'Sullivan, Sonny O'Brien, Liam Peers and Ryan O'Sullivan defended superbly during another attacking burst from the visitors. Following Beechy's first throw-in the Flixton keeper made a comfortable save to deny an effort from Ryan Law. United's keeper and Man of the Match Peter Ellis produced his first real save in the 8th minute after Flixton had been awarded another direct free kick. Beechy were slow in finding a settled rhythm but they had a half chance to take the lead when during a goalmouth scramble Ryan O'Sullivan blasted the ball wide. Daniel Hesketh won Beechy another corner and after the flag kick the ball ended up in the Flixton net but the goal was disallowed when Reece James was caught in an offside position. Flixton continued to look a major threat going forward and from a corner both Sonny O'Brien and Cole Winstanley combined to get the ball out of the danger zone. After twenty minutes Beechy made their first substitution while Flixton themselves made a couple of tactical changes. Peter Ellis became the busiest of the two keepers and Milonga Mututa made a couple of last ditch tackles as the visitors enjoyed a greater share of the ball. Jamie Withington was introduced into the action hoping to give Beechy a boost but far too many stray passes ruined United's display in the first half. HT 0-0.
Needing to show more urgency Beechy looked better organised ater the restart and a chance fell to Reece James who's shot on target hit a defender and deflected for a corner. Flixton took the lead in the 51st minute after Beechy had failed to deal with a bouncing ball during a goalmouth melee and a Flixton stiker slotted it into an empty net. As Beechy fought to get a better foothold in the game Ryan Law, Daniel Hesketh and Milonga Mututa went close to an equaliser but overall United didn't put a great deal of pressure on the visitors keeper. The pattern of play remained fairly evenly balanced though Flixton were always a threat via some fast counter-attacking football. Beechy were eventually thrown a lifeline in the 85th minute when they were awarded a clear cut penalty after the Flixton keeper was guilty of a blatant foul on Daniel Hesketh and Jamie Withington equalised from the resulting spot-kick. The visitors No7 missed a great chance volleying the ball off target before Beechy scored their match winning goal when a move developed down the right and Sonny O'Brien's cross into the area was met at the back post by Ryan Law who fired the ball home from close range. A free kick for handball failed to find the visitors an equaliser and Beechy were happy to soak up late Flixton pressure.
*At Salford Sports Village Beechy Under 17's were involved in a gruelling ninety minutes when they entertained Boothstown Jets on Saturday 9th September 2023
The hot weather tested the players stamina in this Section B fixture and despite dominating possession in the first half Boothstown only created a couple of chances. On one occasion Beechy goalkeeper Peter Ellis produced a brilliant save to divert a low shot around the post. Beechy threatened to score via the counter-attack several times and during a strong finish to the opening forty five minutes Will Bentham forced a fine save save from the Boothstown keeper. HT 0-0
The second half started with some end to end action as both teams created chances with Cole Winstanley a key figure in Beechy's overall play. Gradually Boothstown took control and from about the hour mark tiredness kicked in and unforced substitutions cost Beechy dearly. During a mad two minutes Beechy suddenly found themselves 3-0 down and Team Manager Richard James feared the worst but the players battled on bravely and Boothstown rarely threatened again. Consolation goals for Beechy nearly came via Daniel Hesketh who's effort hit the crossbar and Will Bentham who fired the ball just wide. Result Beechy 0 v Boothstown 3.
*Producing a great comeback in their Section B away game against Crompton Academy on 16/9/2023 the U/17's recovered from 3-0 down to celebrate a 5-4 victory. On a poor pitch both teams made a tentative start and after twelve minutes Crompton broke Beechy's offside trap then the hosts increased their lead when they punished some sloppy Beechy defending. On the half hour mark Crompton went 3-0 up and second to every ball the Beechy lads suddenly needed an urgent recovery plan. Full credit to Beechy who responed superbly as they dominated the last 10/15 minutes and following a Cole Winstanley free kick Ryan Law was on target via a neat header then a cross-cum-shot by Cole deflected into the net. Two more great chances went begging but as half time approached Beechy were right back in the game. Crompton made a strong start after the break and with chances on offer the hosts should have extended their lead and after sixty minutes the game really started to open up and Beechy took full advantage when they equalised.
The Crompton goalkeeper failed to deal with a powerful srike by Jamie Withington and Reece James tapped home the rebound for 3-3. Soon after Crompton lost a player due to a sin bin offence but the hosts began to play better as they made the Beechy lads work harder. Beechy went in front for the first time thanks to Will Bentham who scored with a brilliant low shot across the keeper. Not happy with four goals Beechy went in search of a fifth and it arrived with thirteen minutes to play through Sonny O'Brien who hammered the ball beyond the keeper high into the net. Crompton were on top in the last ten minutes and the hosts got their fourth goal due to another piece of poor Beechy defending. Beechy managed to hold on for the win though a tight offside call went in their favour right at the death. Man of the Match was Joseph Bothamley who had an excellent game at left back.
*The Under 17's were involved in another action packed ninety minutes when they met Ladybridge Eagles away on Saturday 23rd September 2023 and earned themselves a 4-3 victory. Beechy were rewarded for a superb first half display with a 3-1 lead at the break but in the second half they had to soak periods of pressure as the hosts got a tighter grip on the game. Straight from the kick off there was a fast pace to the game played on an Astroturf Pitch and it was Ladybridge who grabbed the lead via a headed goal from their No13. Beechy quickly found an equaliser when Will Bentham forced a mistake from a Ladybridge defender and when the broke free Reece James dinked it into the net. Liam Peers and Milonga Mututa showed their ability to defend under pressure and keeper Peter Ellis made a couple of smart saves before Beechy led 2-1. Following a well timed clearance from Sonny O'Brien at the end of a powerful run on the left wing Ryan Law added a decisive finish. Victim of a poor challenge Jacob Gallaghan was replaced by Ronan Mullen who was soon involved in the fast action. Twice both Milonga Mututa and Luke O'Sullivan blocked shots on target during another attacking surge from Ladybridge. On eighteen minutes Beechy added goal number three when Reece James set-up Ryan Law who angled the ball low past the advancing keeper. The teams enjoyed an equal share of the ball around the half hour mark and twice in quick succession the hosts No8 saw long range efforts flash wide of the target.
Early in the second half Sam Henderson found space to deliver a great pass onto Ronan Mullen who was caught in an offside position. But Ronan was soon involved again when he produced a cool and accurate finish to edge Beechy 4-1 up after the Ladybridge keeper had saved a powerful strike by Reece James. Slowly Beechy had to deal with Ladybridge pressure as the hosts raised their game and Beechy's defence of Liam, Sam, Jacob and Milonga plus keeper Peter faced a barrage of attacks. Following a corner the ball bounced back into play off the crossbar and despite a Ladybridge player standing in an offside position he slotted into the net for his teams second goal. Ryan Law had a chance of a hat trick but he fired the ball wide at the end of a rare Beechy counter-attack then with seven minutes remaining the hosts made it 4-3. Ladybridge won a free kick and after the ball was hammered at the target it swerved out of the reach of Peter Ellis's hands and into the net. Thanks to more brave defending Beechy survived a late Ladybridge attacking surge to earn the win and the three points. Man of the Match was Milonga Mututa.