Weather conditions were less than ideal with a strong gusty wind blowing down the pitch but Beechy made a promising start and had numerous chances from corners and free kicks.
Long throws from Luke Johnston also caused problems for the Dukinfield defenders and their goalkeeper who was beaten in the 11th minute when United took the lead.
Beechy won another free kick and after Jack Walsh curled the ball into the area central defender Dave Simmons reacted the quickest and slotted the ball into the net from close range. Following a swift counter-attack by Dukinfield their No11 fired the ball low into the area and United survived a scare when it hit the base of the post and rebounded back into play before being cleared downfield.
Beechy worked hard to hold onto their 1-0 lead with Dave Simmons and Alex Bloomer making some vital clearances from inside the penalty area when under pressure and this cup tie was far from being a classic.
After 38 minutes United got their second goal in bizarre circumstances when a high booted clearance from inside his own half by Matthew McNally soared deep into the Dukinfield penalty area and after being put under pressure by Lee Grimshaw the Dukinfield keeper palmed the ball into the net.
United’s keeper Ethan Birds was soon in action in the second period as Dukinfield Town who now had the wind in their favour slowly began to dictate the pace of the game and basically United relied heavily on the counter-attack.
Beechy’s players and officials were angered when Dukinfield pulled a goal back because following two brilliant saves by Ethan Birds the ball was touched forward and Dukinfield’s number 8 who was clearly in a offside position put the ball in the net. United’s appeals for the goal to be disallowed were in vain and despite making a couple of tactical changes United suddenly lacked fluency and aggression and on 70 minutes Dukinfield made it 2-2.
At the end of a move down the left flank the ball was hit aimlessly into the area and a sudden gust of wind sent it curling over the head of United’s keeper and into the roof of the net. Despite producing a few decent attacks Beechy appeared to run out of ideas and their cup dream was over when Dukinfield scored their winning goal in the 78th minute following a corner.
Sharing United’s Man of the Match Award were Dave Simmons and Jack Walsh.
Beechfield United Blue who play in the 2nd Division in the Eccles Sunday League drew 2-2 with D & P United.
The goals came via Callum Birchall and Harry Dolan and collecting the Man of the Match Award was Jake Jenks. In the next fixture Callum Birchall was on target again when United were beaten 2-1 by Swinton Park Inn. Voted Best Player was Tom Lawman.
