In the FBT Manchester Football League Beechfield United turned their attention to the Murray Trophy but following a lacklustre performance United slumped to their third successive defeat.
Drawn at home to Pennington FC a dejected Beechy outfit went out of the competition after they lost this 1st Round tie 6-2.
Straight from the kick-off both teams found a good attacking rhythm and there were chances at both ends of the pitch. Pennington’s number ten came close to scoring via a neat half volley then at the end of United’s first quality move Dave Leach saw his fine effort drop over the crossbar.
The visitors took the lead in the 6th minute but the Pennington number three appeared to be in an offside position before he fired the ball into the net from a narrow angle. United were forced to work hard against their well organised opponents who directed the majority of their attacks down the right flank and United’s back four were tested to the limit.
Rob Harrison was slightly injured after making a brilliant save to deny the visitors number 8, as Pennington continued to produce some stylish and inventive soccer. Beechy slowly put pressure on the visitors defence and a well delivered free kick by Steve Erskine was met by the unmarked Rob Lockley but his powerful header curled wide of the target.
In the 41st minute United equalised courtesy of a goal by Dave Leach but Beechy were level for only three minutes when they were guilty of some woeful defending and Pennington’s No9 had the simple task of putting his team 2-1 up.
Early in the second half Craig Massey and Luke Johnston had decent chances to score before Pennington took a 3-1 lead in the 53rd minute. Needing to show more character and resolve United at times were outplayed by the opponents who continued to looked comfortable when in possession and Beechy made a couple of tactical changes midway in the half.
But once again United were punished for more sloppy defending when Pennington added a fourth goal on 70 minutes and it went from bad to worse for Beechy who trailed 5-1 three minutes later. The Pennington keeper was in action saving an attempt from Brad Sixsmith but the United man got revenge in the 79th minute when he produced a trademark mazy run and neat finish for Beechy’s second goal.
Another well-crafted move by Pennington in added time resulted in the visitors completing the scoring via goal number six.
United’s Man of the Match was Mike Rogerson.
Beechfield United Saturday Morning Senior Team were at home against newly promoted Cassidy’s FC. So far the champions had won 1 and lost 1 of their opening two games. United lost some key players in the summer and they know it will be tough to win their 4th successive title and have to treat every game like a cup final.
United started this First Division game quite well playing their usual patient football however they were lacking penetration and Cassidy’s were starting to come into the match and were growing in confidence.
As Cassidy’s started to push on United’s famous counter attacking ability came into action. Scott Foulds broke away down the right flank and delivered a great ball into the box for striker Max Leonard to score his 4th goal so far this season. Cassidy’s hit back immediately when stand-in keeper Tim McQueeney mis-judged a long range effort and the game was all square at the break. Manager Graham Rothwell’s half time team talk worked wonders as the Champions came out looking much stronger in the second half and United regained the lead when skipper Dave Harrison headed home from a corner.
Beechy were in control however Cassidy’s hit back and during a goalmouth scramble following a corner the ball was turned into the net for 2-2. United were pushing forward and enjoying a greater share of the ball forced the Cassidy’s keeper to make several top-class saves and a shock draw looked on the cards. But with only minutes remaining Roy Owen boke the offside trap and calmly took the ball around the keeper and slotted in into the empty net and United walked away with an unconvincing 3-2 win.
