Despite a first-class all-round performance Beechfield United Under 17’s went down 2-1 away to Radcliffe Town Blues.
In this North Bury Junior League fixture a few debatable refereeing decisions contributed to United’s loss plus some of the Beechy players were victim of several reckless challenges that went unpunished. Defensive mistakes in the first half gifted Radcliffe Town a 2-0 half time lead but United controlled the second half and producing some outstanding attacking football always looked the better team. Tom Stott was on target with the consolation goal and Cameron Brizland received the Man of the Match Award.
The Under 13’s Tornadoes suffered their first defeat of the season in the Salford and Districts Junior League. Away at Parkwyddn JFC in Division 1 Beechy played well in the first twenty minutes and thanks to two goals from Jeanny Le Blanc the Tornadoes at one stage were 2-1 up. Parkwyddn changed their tactics and taking control punished some second-rate defending from Beechy with four more goals.
In the second period United conceded another three goals but showing their fighting spirit reduced the arrears thanks to Leighton White and Ademola Drogheda. The Tornadoes lost the match 8-4 but they would have conceded double figures if it wasn’t for the heroics of goalkeeper and Man of the Match Asa Millar.
After their league game had been postponed Beechy Under 11’s Thunder (9v9) arranged a friendly match away against Ladybridge Pumas. The match played on an artificial surface was evenly balanced and United who quickly put pressure on their opponents went ahead via an own goal. Ladybridge hit back and were soon rewarded with an equaliser then a fine save by Samuel Oludoyi who was goalkeeper in the first half prevented the home team from taking the lead. A free kick taken by Jake O’Sullivan was mishandled by the Ladybridge keeper and Beechy took their 2-1 lead into the second half.
Some solid defending by both teams kept it fairly even but a well taken free kick resulted in Ladybridge getting a second equaliser. Following another free kick Beechy were unlucky not to score a last minute winning goal as they had more momentum going forward. The Man of the Match Award was shared between Louis Percival and Dominic Lawton who kept the spine of the team together with some powerful defending.
Another Beechy team who lost for the first time this season were the Under 9’s Hurricanes who twice held a two goal lead in their away game with Barr Hill Diamonds. In this Under 9’s Tournament match goalscorers for the Hurricanes were Tom Worthington, Ben Morris and James Taylor.
Involved in an Under 8’s Tournament game were United’s Under 8’s Hurricanes. Beechy travelled to play Stretford Victoria and in this match that produced eleven goals on target for the Hurricanes were Man of the Match Jayden Walker and Brett McWilliams.
Harry Jones and Fletcher Jackson scored the goals for the Under 7’s Tornadoes in their Development Group Yellow away game at Urmston Town Dragons. Voted Best Player for the third time in six games was Harvey Riva.
All other games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
