A 4-1 away defeat by East Manchester failed to do justice to a first-class display by Beechfield United.
Team changes had to be made by United prior to this FBT Manchester League Division One match played on an artificial surface.
Heavy rain greeted the players and a confident looking Beechy outfit made a blistering start with Carl Ravenscroft and Alex Hunter involved in several promising moves down the left flank.
United conceded the opening goal after just six minutes following some sluggish defending and when Beechy searched for an instant equaliser Mike Rogerson and Jamie Sinnott linked up superbly on the right wing. An excellent move between Man of the Match Steven Erskine, Jamie Sinnott and Craig Massey fully deserved a goal but Alex Hunter couldn’t divert the ball past the keeper.
Continuing to dominate possession United created some brilliant football but after East Manchester had an appeal for a penalty turned down against the run of play Beechy gifted their opponents a 2-0 lead.
On 35 minutes United suffered a further setback when they were reduced to ten men following a red card incident and eight minutes later a shell-shocked Beechy were facing a tough challenge after going 3-0 down. As the second half developed East Manchester found a better attacking rhythm and United’s back four of Andrzej Browne, Rob Lockley, Luke Johnston and Carl Ravenscroft were at times tested to the limit.
Beechy didn’t lack commitment and desire and working hard in all areas continued to produced moments of superb soccer though chances were few and far between. Finally United were rewarded with a goal in the 78th minute via Steven Erskine who produced the highlight of the match when he controlled the ball following a poor clearance by the East Manchester keeper and volleyed it into the net from 40 yards.
Substitute Mike Leach provided a couple of pinpoint crosses that almost got another goal and he fired the ball just wide during a sustained period of pressure from Beechy, East Manchester’s fourth goal arrived just seconds before the final whistle.
Beechfield United Saturday Morning Senior Team were in the second round of the Manchester County Cup against Manchester Gregorians.
Both teams were unknown to each other so each didn’t know what to expect coming into this game.
Beechfield were in a good run of form and were confident, an early injury to their goalkeeper meant that full back Kyle Wray had to go in net at short notice.
Beechfield started the game well, controlling the game and their fast pace attacks caught Gregorians out and Beechfield should have took the lead when Ian Black went through on goal, however the confident striker tried an audacious chip which just went over.
Beechfield continued to press looking for the opener however Gregorians were breaking well on the counter and their first chance lead to the opener, a good save by Beechfield’s keeper was pounced on and the rebound was tucked away to make it 1-0 to Gregorians.
This didn’t phase them and they remained calm and continued to press, a deserved equalizer finally came just before half time when Scott Foulds latched onto a good cross by Max Leonard. Half time and it was level at 1-1.
In the second half Beechfield again continued to have the majority of possession but were not making significant chances to grab the lead, they were then punished in cruel style, a mix up on a throw in at the back gifted Gregorians the lead to make 2-1.
They increased the tempo and for the last 15 minutes it was wave after wave of Beechfield attacks however they could not grab a deserved equaliser and crashed out of the County Cup.
