There was a real contrast in the results when Beechfield United were in action twice with four days.
On Saturday at Salford Sports Village Beechy hit double figures in a Division 1 bottom of the table clash with Heywood St James and despite being forced to make team changes United still a strong line-up on view.
At the end of the visitors first attack Heywood’s number ten almost opened the scoring then in the ninth minute United grabbed the lead via a move between Andrzej Browne, Steven Erskine and Alex Hunter who produced a brilliant piece of skill before firing the ball past the keeper. Creating attacks down both flanks Heywood tested Robert Harrison with a couple of long range efforts but overall United’s keeper had an untroubled ninety minutes. Alex Hunter and Steven Erskine featured in another slick move and Jamie Sinnott with a decisive finish put Beechy 2-0 ahead after twenty-four minutes.
Heywood’s young team worked hard in all areas briefly causing a few defensive problems for United’s back four but following a free kick Beechy added their third goal in the 34th minute courtesy of central defender Kurtis Lee.
Eight minutes later United’s fourth goal produced the highlight of the match when Jamie Sinnott and Mike Phythian linked-up superbly and timing his run into the area was Alex Hunter was Alex Hunter who side footed the ball into the corner of the net.
United made a sluggish start to the second half and briefly allowed the visitors the luxury of dominating possession and Heywood reduced the arrears with their only goal after fifty-four minutes. But Beechy were quickly back in control and went 5-1 up after Mike Rogerson and Chris Ferris combined on the right wing to create the opportunity for Alex Hunter to complete his hat-trick.
Mike Phythian was replaced by Patrick Beckett who was soon involved in the action with a long ball downfield that resulted in Jamie Sinnott easily beating the keeper from close range making it 6-1. Stepping up a gear United increased their lead on seventy minutes thanks to Alex Hunter’s fourth goal then second half substitute Brad Sixsmith had an easy finish when he netted goal number eight.
Heywood were outplayed as United dominated the contest and another Beechy substitute Louis Duff ended a fast counter-attack with a composed finish as he made it 9-1.
Beechy continued to create chances galore and eventually reached double figures via Jamie Sinnott’s hat-trick and assisted by full back Andrzej Browne Man of the Match Jamie Sinnott netted his fourth goal of the game as he completed the scoring.
Beechy were 11-1 winners and this was their biggest winning score line since joining the Manchester Football League in season 2008/2009.
But it was a different story four days previous when United travelled to play Chadderton Reserves for an evening fixture.
On a first class pitch Beechy were always second-best throughout the match and suffered a 5-1 defeat. Dictating the pace of the game Chadderton quickly put real pressure on United’s back four of Tyler Cooke, Gary Wallis, Kurtis Lee and Mike Rogerson and the home team took the lead in the 11th minute then guilty of some poor defending Beechy soon found themselves 2-0 down.
In a congested midfield Steven Erskine, Mike Phythian and Chris Ferris found it difficult to get a foothold in the contest and enjoying a greater share of the ball Chadderton raced into a 3-0 lead. Guilty of far too many unforced errors United gifted their opponents a fourth goal after twenty-five minutes and any hopes of a possible comeback were virtually ended when Chadderton added their fifth goal.
Following a couple of changes at half time United looked better organised and winning more of the physical challenges created a few decent chances. Substitutes Rob Lockley and Alex Hunter featured heavily in several promising moves and it was the latter who scored United’s consolation goal in the 65th minute.
In the second period Chadderton were forced to defend deeper in their own half but they had the ability via some excellent counter-attacking to quickly put the pressure back onto United’s overworked back four and stand-in keeper Luke Johnston had a busy last fifteen minutes.
