Beechfield United’s First Team played a blinder against Leigh Athletic in the first friendly of their build-up to the 2015/2016 season.
United had a squad of fifteen players available, including three new signings, and following a highly competitive contest Beechy celebrated a 2-1 home win.
Making a promising start Leigh Athletic won a couple of early corners and briefly the visitors forced some solid defending from Steve Eccles, Patrick Beckett, Tim Taylor and Carl Ravenscroft.
Slowly United built confidence going forward and a great move featuring Jamie Sinnott, Rob Lockley and Lee Grimshaw ended when the latter was foiled by a great piece of goalkeeping.
Free kicks galore were awarded to both teams and on 25 minutes Beechy deservedly took the lead when Carl Ravencroft’s accurate free kick was totally misjudged by the keeper and Craig Massey had an easy finish after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar.
Using the roll-on roll-off substitute option United continued to enjoy a greater share of the ball while Leigh Athletic relied heavily on the counter-attack and the visitors created only a few clear cut chances.
An in-swinging corner taken by Jamie Sinnott was met by Tim Taylor who was unmarked in the area and his powerful header put United 2-0 up. A shot from just outside the area by Leigh’s No 8 hit the post prior to Beechy stepping up a gear and following a mazy run Brad Sixsmith was robbed of a goal by a fingertip save then minutes later his thunderous drive from 20 yards rattled the crossbar.
A piece of slack defending allowed Leigh Athletic the opportunity to reduce the arrears but quickly finding their attacking rhythm Beechy were once again denied a third goal.
A glorious quick-passing move involving Alex Hunter, Steve Erskine and Dave Leach was ruined when Craig Massey was caught in an offside position.
The final ten minutes was very much end-to-end and great skill by Jamie Sinnott set up a chance for Craig Massey whose splendid effort was somehow deflected for a corner.
The visitors thought they had grabbed a late equaliser but United keeper Robert Harrison guaranteed a Beechy victory following an acrobatic save.
