Beechfield United earned themselves a deserved victory when they beat Heywood St James 4-1 at Salford Sports Village.
United had the luxury of taking the lead in the 3rd minute after a cleverly disguised pass by Brad Sixsmith found Mike Leach who after beating the offside trap rounded the keeper and opened the scoring. But Beechy were ahead for less than three minutes when the visitors number 10 found himself unmarked outside the area and he was allowed to casually lob the ball into the net.
Ryan Williams making his first start of the season and Chris Ferris were heavily involved as United worked hard to get control of the midfield area. An audacious attempt from Heywood’s number 11 bounced off the top of the crossbar and United keeper Jordan Broxson made a couple of fine saves as the visitors created some decent chances. A superb four man move almost put Beechy back in front but with the keeper stranded Brad Sixsmith hammered the ball over the crossbar.
More powerful attacks from Heywood kept the pressure on United’s back four of Rob Lockley, Luke Johnston, Carl Ravenscroft and Andrzej Browne who had a great chance to score his first goal of the season after an effort from Craig Massey hit the post.
Early in the second half Heywood briefly dominated possession but gradually Beechy took control and regained the lead on the hour mark when Man of the Match Alex Hunter went on a mazy run and set-up Craig Massey who dinked the ball past the keeper. Four minutes later Alex Hunter produced the highlight of this Division 1 match when he superbly beat three opponents and made it 3-1 via a brilliant finish. Heywood still forced some important defending from United but clear-cut chances for the visitors were few and far between. The fourth goal arrived following a slick move involving Alex Hunter, Craig Massey and Mike Leach and the latter’s neat finish guaranteed the win and the three points.
The Saturday Morning Senior Team found themselves a goal down in their home game with Torpedo Chorlton but thanks to a highly-polished second half display eventually celebrated a 5-2 win. Stand-in keeper Tim McQueeney was soon in action as the visitors enjoyed a greater share of the ball in the opening ten minutes. A long range effort by Daniel Eckersley hit the the top of the crossbar and Roy Owen also came close to beating the keeper as Beechy looked confident going forward. Torpedo Chorlton grabbed the lead courtesy of their No9 who was probably the most gifted player on the pitch and despite not firing on all cylinders United equalised in the 26th minute.
Scott Foulds broke clear down the right flank and his accurate cross was met in the area by Max Leonard who’s glancing header beat the keeper low to his right. Following a brief stoppage due to an injury sustained by a Torpedo player Beechy went 2-1 up on 37 minutes via a great move between Damon Whitbread, Andy Lord, Roy Owen and Max Leonard who left unmarked scored from close range. The lead lasted for just two minutes after United’s appeal for offside was denied and Torpedo’s No9 raced clear before executing a stylish finish for 2-2.
Producing some great defending for Beechy was Daniel Eckersley as Torpedo Chorlton began the second half in an attacking mood but United stepped up a gear and were rewarded with their third goal after 56 minutes courtesy of a world class finish by Roy Owen. The visitors continually threatened to find an equaliser but their hopes faded when Roy Owen was on target again putting Beechy 4-2 up. Substitute Hayden Foulds supplied a perfectly weighted through ball and Max Leonard completed the scoring and his hat-trick late in the game.
