Despite more heavy rain during the previous five days four games involving teams from Beechfield United’s Junior Section went ahead on grass pitches while three other games took place on artificial surfaces.
The Under 13’s Tornadoes twice postponed Challenge Cup quarter-final tie with Flixton Falcons was finally played and Beechy moved into the semi-final’s following a 7-0 victory.
In difficult conditions United quickly took control and scored two goals in as many minutes courtesy of Jeanny Le Blanc and Jacob Wilson. Flixton Falcons enjoyed a fair share of the ball and managed several shots on target but the Tornadoes were more clinical and goals from Derryn Harrison and Ellis Taylor put Beechy 4-0 up at half time.
The pattern of the match was much the same as the second half progressed and Flixton Falcons continued to waste decent chances but United’s goal scoring touch didn’t desert them and both Derryn Harrison and Jacob Wilson were on target again with goals five and six.
The highlight of the tie arrived when Jeanny Le Blanc spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed the ball into the net from 35 yards to complete the scoring. Goalkeeper Asa Millar was named as the Tornadoes Best Player.
Involved in the Manchester FA Youth Cup were the Under 12’s Storm (9v9) who met St Johns Thunder in Round 3 with both teams contributing to a great game of football in awful conditions and Beechy came out on top via a 3-2 win. United made a slow start and were put under pressure by a well organised St Johns outfit who took the lead after some sloppy defending by Beechy.
After conceding the goal United were better organised and playing some first-class football got back level thanks to a stunning goal by Man of the Match Jack Thompson. Straight from the restart St Johns were soon on the attack and were awarded a penalty but the Storm’s keeper Ellis Craven made an excellent save. United went in front when Harry Gartley skilfully beat three opponents and hammered the ball past the keeper for 2-1 but in a very tight contest St Johns bounced back and with twenty minutes remaining made it 2-2 putting the pressure back on United.
The Storm’s players continued to work hard and got a deserved winning goal through Jack Thompson who produced a neat finish past the advancing keeper. As the heavy pitch started to take its toll on the players both keepers were in action making some superb saves and Beechy managed to survive some late pressure before securing a place in the next round.
Playing away on an Astroturf Pitch were the Under 9’s Lightning who met Manchester Maccabi Wildcats at Brooklands in Prestwich. Beechy celebrated a victory by the odd goal in five thanks to Charlie Harris, William Anderton and Sam Henderson who fired in the goals. Liam Peers was named as the teams Star Player.
Also in action on an artificial surface were the Under 9’s Storm and they enjoyed a win following their away game against Woodbank JFC. Josh McLoughlin received the Man of the Match Award plus scoring one of the goals. The Storm’s other goalscorers were Freddie Jackson and Cayden Gibson.
Goals from Man of the Match Ronan Mullen and Daniel Hesketh put the Under 9’s Typhoon ahead in their friendly match with Moorside Rangers Blue who equalised before half time. Jamie Withington put Beechy back in front but once again Rangers got back on level terms. Sonny O’Brien netted a late winning goal for United.
The Under 8’s Tornadoes took on a very good Barr Hill Hearts team and Beechy were on top for most of the first half. There was some superb ball winning tackles from Man of the Match Tanatswa Chirwa and great efforts on target by Aiden Lawton and Joel Thorndyke. The Barr Hill keeper was in superb form and both teams scored some top-class goals. Barr Hill looked stronger in the second period but Beechy carried on producing some great soccer and added more goals via Ellis O’Brien-Walsh, Joshua Taylor, Joel Thorndyke and Jonathan Lowery.
At the JJB Soccer Dome the Under 8’s Storm played De La Salle and the match produced eleven goals. There was a hat-trick for the prolific Joshua Kilfoyle and making his debut was James Cadwalader who was named Man of the Match.
