In the North Bury Junior League Beechfield United Under 17’s produced their best performance so far this season but were beaten 1-0 away by current top of the table team Rossendale Valley Tigers.
It was United who constantly created the majority of the scoring opportunities with the best chances on offer to Malik Abdulgabar and Sam Bolton who’s effort hit the post.
With Man of the Match Tom Stott in great form Beechy totally outplayed their opponents but a thoroughly deserved goal or two eluded them.
With just five minutes left to play United wasted a corner and totally against the run of play Rossendale Valley got their winning goal. The ball was cleared downfield and in a race for possession central defender Kondi Mututa was judged to have committed a foul on a lone Rossendale forward just inside the area. The referee made totally the wrong decision when he awarded the home side a penalty and the spot-kick was converted giving Rossendale Valley a victory they definitely didn’t deserve.
Thanks to another highly-impressive display the Under 16’s extended their unbeaten run to four games following a 5-1 home win over South Manchester Sports Club. Leading 4-1 at half time Beechy could easily have hit double figures but they were up against an in-form South Manchester keeper who made several outstanding saves. Callum Frier was named Best Player and goals for United came via Ben Crowther (2) Elliott Hogben, Bradley Wheeler and Chris Royle.
Re-discovering the winning formula at Stott Lane were the Under 15’s Predators. Drawn at home for this Tameside Sunday League Cup Round 1 tie United enjoyed a 3-1 victory against Stalybridge Celtic. Goalscorers for the Predators who led 2-0 at the break were Oliver Heron, Joseph Lydiate and Mitchell McGivern. Man of the Match was Liam Egerton.
In action at Bolton Road Paying Fields were the Under 14’s Storm who faced a strong Broughton Community outfit. United who lost this Salford and Districts Football League Division One contest 5-0 gave their Man of the Match Award to Daniel Delaney.
Beechy Under 13’s Tornadoes were away to Urmston Town Sharks and almost took an early lead after creating four decent chances.
Ten minutes before half time Urmston Town scored two goals in quick succession then went 3-0 up on the stroke of half time. The second half started fairly evenly with Beechy still playing well and a great pass by Jacob Wilson split open the Urmston defence to set-up Charlie Ryan who chipped the ball over the keeper to reduce the arrears but the celebrations were short lived when Urmston Town scored again. The Tornadoes never stopped working hard and were reward when Ademola Alusayno flicked the ball into the corner of net following a Joe Horrocks free kick.
Charlie Ryan’s pace left the Urmston defence standing and once again he created a superb finish by lobbing the ball over the keeper to make it 4-3. Unfortunately the Tornadoes couldn’t find another goal to force a draw. Joe Bardsley and George Leigh shared the Star Man accolade.
The Under 12’s Storm (9v9) kept their 100% unbeaten Division 1 intact thanks to a 2-1 away win over Swinton Panthers.
In what turned out to be a scrappy game Beechy needed a hard working performance before they were guaranteed the three points. In the early stages both teams struggled to find enough space to allow them to play a decent passing game and the midfield area became very congested. Slowly United found a better rhythm and playing some attractive soccer came close to a goal via a couple of long range efforts.
Eventually Beechy opened the scoring when after a neat move through midfield the ball found its way to Billy Wadeson and he finished superbly past the keeper but clear cut chances were few and far between in the first half so it was still 1-0 to United at the interval.
The next thirty minutes began at a quicker pace with Swinton Panthers always looking for an equalising goal that arrived midway in the half. The Beechy defence allowed the ball to run through to keeper James O’Donnell who was put under pressure by a Swinton forward who slotted the ball into the net despite appearing to kick the ball out of the keepers hands.
The match livened up slightly with chances on offer at both ends and United got their winning goal in the closing minutes. Harry Gartley was sent clear and after he tangled with the Swinton keeper the ball fell kindly to Kieran Robinson who produced a neat finish to win the game for the Storm. Kai Morris was voted Man of the Match.
The Under 11’s (9v9) Supplementary Tournament Green fixture between Barr Hill Cubs and Beechy Tornadoes ended as a draw but Barr Hill won the tie following a penalty shoot-out. There were a couple of goals from Brandon Wabayi plus one apiece for Sam Jones and Will Whipday.
Away at Boothstown Warriors in the Supplementary Tournament United’s Under 11’s Storm (9v9) were on the wrong end of a seven goal score line. Collecting the Best Player Award was Mason Turner while goals for the Storm came courtesy of Rome Hodson, Ben Howard and Tom Cox.
On a very wet pitch at Beech Farm the Under 10’s Storm played Deans Sports in a Development Group Green match. The first half was a closely fought affair and Beechy held a narrow lead via goals from Ben Delaney and Man of the Match Josh Everall. Deans Sports enjoyed a better second half and eventually won the game.
Congratulations to the Under 9’s Hurricanes who are through to the Supplementary Tournament final. At home to De La Salle the Beechy lads produced a superb all-round performance from start to finish. Harley Mullen who has had a brilliant season and Ben Morris shared the Man of the Match Award and the goals for the Hurricanes were netted by Oliver Cross, Ben Morris and Tom Worthington.
For their latest Supplementary Tournament Purple fixture the Under 9’s Storm travelled to play Barr Hill Diamonds. In poor conditions United created a fine display and were rewarded with two brilliant goals from Man of the Match Freddie Jackson. Both Caden Gibson and Reece James also deserve a mention for their hard working performances.
Swinton Junior Lions were the Under 8’s Hurricanes opponents for their Supplementary Tournament Yellow encounter. Beechy were worthy winners of the match thanks to a high energy team display plus goals from Brett McWilliams who shared the Star Player Award with Owen Bolton and Coby McCormack. Previously the Hurricanes were involved in an evening fixture with Ladybridge Lions and on target with United’s consolation goal was Nazim M.Wali.
Despite the heavy rain the Development Group Yellow match between the Under 7’s Storm and Swinton Junior Pumas was still highly entertaining. Man of the Match Kylan Twigg, Henry Jones, Lucas Harris and Scott Craven fired in the goals.
Ethan Harris, Lloyd Hiles and Player of the Match Lexi Hiles scored the goals for the Under 7’s Hurricanes who were involved in a Development Group Red home game against Swinton Junior Jaguars.
At home to Prestwich Junior Buffalo the Under 7’s Tornadoes produced a poor first half display but played better after the break. Fletcher Jackson, Harry Jones, Blake Kerrigan and Man of the Match Harvey Riva all scored for Beechy in a match that included fourteen goals.
