Beechfield United Football Club

POSTED: September 30 2018 13:36:27 By Keith Long - United Suffer Narrow Home Defeat

Looking for a moral boosting victory Beechfield United 1st Team suffered their third successive Manchester Football League Premier Division defeat. On Saturday 22nd September 2018 United were at home to Royton Town and a confident Beechy outfit produced a good overall performance but due to a couple of defensive errors eventually lost the match 3-2. Straight from the kick off there was a brisk pace to the match and United defender Mike Rogerson made a well timed interception when Royton's No7 got into clear shooting position. Then United keeper Robert Harrison had to race to the edge of his area to hammer the ball back upfield as the visitors No10 chased a long pass sent down the centre of the pitch. Winning headers by Tim Taylor and Luke Johnston dealt with more early pressure from a strong and well organised Royton Town team. Louis Duff produced a few mazy runs down the right wing as United gradually looked more confident going forward and in the 8th minute Beechy grabbed the lead.

Steven Erskine made a excellent tackle to win the ball and quickly moved it onto Jordan Jones-Waite who raced down the left wing before supplying an inch perfect cross and Jamie Sinnott ended the move with a top-class strikers finish. Following a smart save from Robert Harrison Royton Town were back level three minutes later though the Beechy keeper appeared to be obstructed before the visitors No11 fired the ball into the net. Royton's No8 was at the heart of the visitors best moves and twice Robert Harrison showed a safe pair of hands after a couple of dead ball situations. Gareth Mooney and Chris Ferris both put in a good shift in the midfield as Beechy at times played some eye catching attacking play. More resolute defending from Mike Rogerson, Tim Taylor and Luke Johnston dealt with added Royton pressure but after twenty eight minutes United found themselves 2-1 down. Robert Harrison claimed that the ball had been kicked out of his hands after he had dived to his left to make a save but the referee awarded the goal.

At times after wasting possession Beechy relied more on the counter-attack and on one occasion a superb lofted pass from Jamie Sinnott was instantly controlled by Jordan Jones-Waite who ghosted past a Royton defender and the keeper but United's No10 overran the ball and the chance was gone. Then a neat one-two between Steven Erskine and Louis Duff set-up another chance for Jordan Jones-Waite who's shot on target won Beechy a corner. During the opening minutes of the second half United were briefly forced into a more defensive mode but soon found a better attacking rhythm and a long range effort from Jamie Sinnott curled wide following a cleverly disguised pass by Louis Duff. On fifty minutes Louis and Gareth Mooney combined carving out another opportunity for Jordan Jones-Waite and this time his low drive was blocked by a Royton defender. Continuous long kicks from the Royton keeper added extra unwanted pressure on United's defence and Robert Harrison was the busiest of the two keepers.

Following a well struck direct free kick by Jamie Sinnott the Royton keeper responded with a stunning save after the ball had gone through the hosts defensive wall. Royton Town were always well organised in all areas and continually threatening to increase their lead went 3-1 up on eighty four minutes when their No5 scored with a powerful header following a corner. A move involving United Manager Steven Erskine who had an excellent game won United a free kick for a foul on Jordan Jones-Waite who executed a world-class dead ball finish for Beechy's second goal after eighty eight minutes. During a few minutes of time added on United came close to forcing a draw.