Beechfield United saw double success at the weekend, with the First Team moving up to fourth in Division 1 in the FBT Manchester Football League and the Saturday side scoring more cup success.
Hollinwood FC would fall to the sword 4-1 after some brilliant and eye-catching attacking play from the First Team.
Moving the ball about with both pace and accuracy Hollinwood made an impressive start, so it was against the run of play when Beechy took the lead after six minutes.
Ryan Williams started a move down the right flank and Dave Leach’s cross was met by Matthew McNally whose superb finish gave the keeper no chance.
Williams, Rob Lockley, Luke Johnston and Andrzej Browne were forced to do some vital defending as Hollinwood continued to create some powerful attacks and the visitors equalised in the 18th minute through a solid strike from their No.10.
United needed to step up a gear and at the end of a swift counter-attack a cleverly disguised pass by Andrzej Browne set up Craig Massey who fired the ball just past the post.
There was a frantic pace to the match and both keepers were kept busy then on 34 minutes United went 2-1 up – again against the run of play.
After evading three strong challenges Dave Leach thought he had scored only for the keeper to make a smart save but the ball ran onto the unmarked Massey who easily netted the rebound.
United’s third goal, the second for spritely Massey, put daylight between the sides just before half time.
Alex Hunter went on a mazy run and his brilliant cross-field pass found Beechfield’s talismanic No.7 who raced clear before slotting the ball home at the second attempt.
Some fast counter-attacks from Hollinwood at the start of the second half kept United in a defence mode and Jordan Broxson was in action producing two great saves in as many minutes.
Gradually Beechy turned to dominate the match with Alex Hunter and Dave Leach producing chances from eye-catching play.
The visitors enjoyed a brief attacking spree but United dictated the pace of the game and they secured the three points in the 79th minute.
Andrzej Browne received the ball close to the halfway line and immediately played a brilliant pass forward to Dave Leach who after beating the offside trap hammered the ball past the onrushing keeper to complete the scoring.
Sharing the Man of the Match award were Ryan Williams and Andrzej Browne.
In the Manchester County FA Saturday Amateur Cup, United’s Saturday Morning Senior Team booked their place in the third round thanks to a 4-3 away victory at Failsworth Dynamos Reserves.
A depleted Beechy squad struggled to adapt to the pace of the game but they went ahead when Max Leonard met a measured cross from Roy Owen and headed the ball past the keeper for the opening goal.
Failsworth Dynamos equalised via an unstoppable free kick and the home side put two more past Beechy for a 3-1 lead at the break.
United reverted to a 4-4-2 system in the second half – one of many good decisions by manager Paul Harrison – producing some superb attacking football and were rewarded thanks to the Owen and Leonard combination. It was the latter who was on target with Beechy’s second goal, then Man of the Match Andy Lord supplied a perfect cross for Max Leonard to equalise and secure his hat-trick courtesy of another great finish.
As time ticked away United were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and it was Chris Lucas who fired the ball home to earn Beechy a fully deserved win.
