On Sunday morning at Ordsall Leisure Centre Beechfield United Under 12’s Storm booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Manchester FA Youth Cup after a thrilling 6-5 win over Middleton Boys & Girls.
United’s opponents from the North Bury Junior League proved to be a well organised outfit but the Beechy lads created a superb display and fully deserved their victory.
Straight from the kick-off it was apparent that this would be an open and attacking game as both teams quickly produced some fantastic football.
Storm took the lead following a great move in midfield and after Bobby Anderson played the ball low across the area Declan Hogg had an easy close range finish for the opening goal.
Middleton responded producing more quality attacking soccer and drew level with a goal from a deflection off an unluckly Beechy player then putting more pressure on the Storm’s defence Middleton scored two well taken goals to give themselves what appeared to be a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Despite facing a two goal deficit Beechy didn’t let their heads drop and reduced the arrears via Kieron Richardson whose long-range effort went into the net off the crossbar however Middleton quickly restored their two goal advantage.
As the second half began the Beechy lads were totally focused and ready for a determined fight back and the pace of United’s attacks caused all kinds of problems for their opponents and a goal from Bobby Anderson made it 4-3.
The equaliser arrived when Bobby Anderson was on target again when he found himself unmarked following a free kick and hammered the ball past the keeper.
Beechy were now playing with more freedom and Middleton continued to struggle as United stepped up a gear and Man of the Match Bobby Anderson got a well-deserved hat trick courtesy of a half volley and the Storm went 5-4 up.
Middleton worked hard in search of an equaliser but pushing extra players forward meant it left gaps at the back and they were punished when the ball was cleared up field by George Moorhouse and Jack Thompson raced clear and with only the keeper to beat produced a cool finish for United’s sixth goal.
With virtually the last kick of the match Middleton’s No 9 scored his team fifth goal. Both teams were a credit to themselves and their clubs and showed what grassroots football is all about.
At Salford Sports Village the Under 12’s Tornadoes (9v9) played Salford Lads and Girls and Beechy were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score line. Following this Salford And District League Division 3 away game Ellis Kenny was named as the Tornadoes Man of the Match.
The Under 11’s Tornadoes organised a friendly match with De La Salle at Walkden High School. De La Salle won the contest but Beechy scored two great goals via Ronan Courtney and Callum Looby. Receiving the Best Player Award was Patrick Walsh.
There was another star-studded performance from the Under 9’s Hurricanes who met Swinton Tigers at Eccles College. Man of the Match Dominic Roaden was rewarded with a hat trick while Josh Clough helped himself to a hat trick.
Reilly Happy was also on target for the Hurricanes in this Development Group Purple Division match.
In the Development Group Green Division Man of the Match Charlie Harris netted a consolation goal for the Under 9’s Lightning who were in action on Sunday morning against Manchester Maccabi Wildcats at Brooklands, Prestwich.
Sharing eight goals with neighbours Moorside Rangers Purple were United’s Under 9’s Storm.
At Moorside High School both teams created moments of top-class football and goals for Beechy were scored by Caden Gibson, Oliver Percival and Josh McLoughlin. The teams Best Player was Reece James.
At the JJB Soccer Dome the Under 8’s Hurricanes met Moorside Rangers Yellow. Jayden Walker, Coby McCormack and Man of the Match Brett McWilliams got the goals for the Hurricanes in this Development Group Yellow encounter.
Beechy Under 8’s Tornadoes took on Stretford Victoria at the JJB Soccer Dome in what proved to be a very close game.
Stretford Victoria held the lead at half time but the Tornadoes produced a great fight back in the second half.
Goalscorers were Aiden Lawton, Jonathan Lowery and Joshua Taylor while the Star Player Award went to Joel Thorndyke.
Another Beechy mini-soccer team playing at Brooklands were the Under 8’s Storm who had a Sunday game with Manchester Maccabi Falcons. Joshua Kilfoyle netted a consolation goal for the Storm who voted James Cadwalader as Man of the Match.
There were two more goals for the Under 7’s Storm’s ace marksman Kylan Twigg in the Development Group Yellow game against AFC Monton Sharks. The match was played at Ordsall Leisure Centre and receiving the Storm’s Best Player Accolade was Henry Jones.
The Under 7’s Tornadoes were also in action at Ordsall Leisure Centre. De La Salle Reds who won the contest were United’s opponents in this Development Group Green fixture.
On target with the goals were Jacob Kershaw-Schilling and Harry Jones and receiving the Man of the Match Award was Fletcher Jackson.
Away at South Manchester Lions the Under 7’s Hurricanes were involved a high scoring Development Group Red Division match. Ethan Harris scored the goals for the Hurricanes whose Star Player was Matthew Elliott.
Main image: Beechfield United U12 Storm
