Following a terrific first half performance in their home game against Pennington FC a frustrated Beechfield United outfit threw away a 2-0 lead in this FBT Manchester League Division 1 fixture and eventually suffered a 3-2 defeat.
Due to a few injuries United were forced to make team changes but they made a decent start to the contest and on 4 minutes an effort by Steve Erskine curled over the crossbar. The visitors slowly found a good attacking rhythm forcing United’s back four of Ryan Williams, Patrick Beckett, Rob Lockley and Carl Ravenscroft to do some vital defending.
The action switched rapidly from end to end and both teams moved the ball around quickly on the artificial surface but Beechy rarely wasted possession and deservedly took the lead on the 20 minute mark. Ryan Williams started a move down the right flank via a superb weighted long pass and the ball was controlled by Brad Sixsmith who produced a great piece of skill before hammering the ball into the net from the narrowest of angles then straight from the restart Beechy were back on the attack and Brad Sixsmith almost made it 2-0 but with the keeper stranded his powerful header rattled the crossbar.
A brief period of powerful counter-attacking play from Pennington forced more defending from United who’s keeper Rob Harrison was suddenly heavily involved while Rob Lockley produced some excellent ball winning tackles. As light snow began to fall Beechy created a glut of chances and eventually increased their lead after 43 minutes when Jamie Sinnott’s swerving free kick was mishandled by the keeper and when the ball rebounded back into play Alex Hunter had an easy finish from five yards.
Pennington looked better organised as the second half unfolded and the visitors number seven and number ten tested Rob Harrison’s handling ability with long range efforts and following some lacklustre defending Beechy gifted Pennington their first goal in the 51st minute.
United made their first substitution with Evan Jeffries replacing Ryan Williams but despite a slight reshuffle United responded with some first-class attacking soccer and following a brilliant jinking run by Jamie Sinnott the ball was somehow diverted over the crossbar off a Pennington defender.
In the 65th minute Pennington equalised via a slick four man move down the left wing and it was the visitors number ten who provided a clinical finish and the same player put Pennington 3-2 up after a similar move several minutes. Working non-stop in all areas of the pitch Beechy enjoyed a fair share of the ball and created enough chances to force at least a draw but thanks to some resolute defending Pennington collected the three points and secured a winning double over United.
Sharing United’s Man of the Match Award were Rob Lockley and Brad Sixsmith.
