In Manchester FA’s Women’s Summer League Beechfield United Ladies played the third in series of six games against neighbours Moorside Rangers Ladies.
As expected the match was keenly contested with both teams fully determined to win this local derby. As play flowed rapidly from end to end there was some great defending from Crystal Barker, Gemma Winterburn and Shauna Smith plus keeper Briony Bradbury that denied Rangers the chance of an early lead.
In reply Beechy quickly put the pressure back onto their opponents and Faye Cassidy, Gillian Wallis and Sophie Wainwright had efforts on target but they failed to beat the Rangers keeper who was in top form so it remained 0-0 at half time.
The second half produced a similar pattern with both teams continually creating some quality football and both Managers constantly used the roll on-roll off substitution rule to try and gain an advantage in the game. With seven minutes to go Beechy finally broke the deadlock when following one of numerous corners they had won in the game the ball reached the alert figure of Crystal Barker who hammered it past the keeper.
Rangers suddenly stepped up a gear and looking more dangerous going forward pressed hard for an equaliser and just two minutes from the end got their reward via a goal scored by their player wearing the number thirteen shirt following a corner.
In the final minute United were denied what would have been a winning goal when Rangers substitute keeper who played for Beechy last season made a brilliant save. Gemma Winterburn was voted United’s Play of the Match.
Beechy’s squad was: Briony Bradbury, Shauna Smith, Gemma Winterburn, Rebecca Watkins, Faye Cassidy, Crystal Barker, Sophie Wainwright, Gillian Wallis, Rachel Griffin, Sue Howard, Samantha Smith, Jade Gadsby, Colby Gerrard.
