Missing several key players a depleted Beechfield United squad travelled to play Wilmslow Albion and United lost this FBT Manchester League Division 1 fixture 4-1 following an action packed ninety minutes.
A heavy and uneven playing surface caused problems for both teams and Wilmslow’s tactic of using the long ball method quickly put pressure on United’s makeshift back four, a great jinking run by Jamie Sinnott created a chance for Carl Ravenscroft then a long accurate pass from Patrick Beckett found Mike Leach who’s effort hit the top of the crossbar.
Control of the ball proved difficult on the deteriorating pitch but on 21 minutes Wilmslow took the lead via a headed goal from their number seven This was the home team’s first real goal scoring opportunity because Beechy had looked the more adventurous team prior to conceding the goal. Working hard to find an equaliser United came close on two occasions when both Jamie Sinnott and Dave Leach were denied by a versatile Wilmslow keeper who produced a couple of excellent saves.
Showing better movement off the ball Wilmslow made a whirlwind start to the second half and their number nine should have finished off a neat move but he fired the ball wide of the target from fifteen yards.
Adapting better to the conditions Wilmslow went 2-0 up on 55 minutes and the Beechy players knew they faced a tough challenge especially with no substitutes available. Under pressure Patrick Beckett and Evan Jeffries produced some superb defending and Beechy relied heavily on the counter-attack but rarely threatened to breakdown a well organised Wilmslow defence. On the energy sapping pitch Wilmslow’s constant use of the long ball tactic continued to pay dividends and the home side added two more goals in the 84th and 86th minute.
A late attacking surge by United earned them their consolation goal when Man of the Match Jamie Sinnott hammered the ball at the target and it skidded off the wet surface then flew past the keeper into the corner of the net.
Playing their first match in 2016 were United’s Saturday Morning Senior Team who were away to Manchester Medics. In the Steele’s Shield Beechy produced a below-par performance in this 1st Round tie and went out of the competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat.
Beechy had the luxury of taking the lead when Danny Browne and Max Leonard linked up superbly and the latter set-up Wes Pierce who produced a neat and accurate finish. Playing well below their normal high standard United were never able to control the match and Manchester Medics got an equalising goal making it 1-1 at half time.
On a heavy pitch United’s lack of match day activity was a key factor in the second half when Beechy struggled to adapt to the pace of the game, numerous chances were on offer but United couldn’t find a match winner while Medics No11 took advantage of a piece of slack defending and his goal secured the home team a place in the quarter-finals. United’s Man of the Match was Kyle Wray.
