Following another stylish all-round performance Beechfield United secured three more valuable points thanks to a 2-0 home win over Chapel Town.
A couple of team changes were made by Beechy who faced some early pressure from a Chapel Town outfit who had beaten United 5-2 earlier in the season.
Dave Leach and Alex Hunter linked up superbly in a quick move but the latter fired the ball past the post then sixty seconds later Chris Ferris set-up Brad Sixsmith but his effort flew over the crossbar.
Continuing to play some attractive soccer Chapel Town forced some vital defending from Beechy in the opening twenty minutes and keeper Robert Harrison rescued United with three excellent saves in quick succession. Gradually Beechy got a grip on the match and with Steve Erskine and Man of the Match Chris Ferris heavily involved in United’s best attacking moves Beechy took the lead just after the half-hour mark.
Brad Sixsmith produced a brilliant solo run and he saw his effort on target saved by the keeper but Dave Leach was in the right place to get to the rebound and put the ball into the net from close range. Keeping the pressure on their opponents United added their second goal in the 36th minute courtesy of a piece of individual brilliance from Jamie Sinnott.
Chapel Town began the second half briefly enjoying more of the ball but they continually failed to create any worthwhile goalscoring opportunities and despite conceding far too many free kicks in their own half Beechy were always in control of the contest.
The best move of the match involved Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Sinnott, Alex Hunter and Steve Erskine who’s half-volley almost made it 3-0. Substitute Evan Jeffries was introduced as United reshuffled their back four and the visitors also made a couple of substitutions inside the final eighteen minutes.
The second half was less entertaining and the match will best be remembered for the substitute appearance of Mike Leach who was playing his last game before emigrating to Australia.
Mike has been a Beechfield United player since 2007 and everyone at the club wishes him every success in his new venture.
