The official website for Beechfield United

Following their first game of 2012 Beechfield United’s Reserve Team booked their place in the Quarter-Final’s of the MCFA Saturday Amateur Cup. Despite a below par performance United still managed to secure a 1-0 home victory in Round 3 over Lancashire and Cheshire Football League side Manchester Rovers. Conditions at Salford Sports Village were less than ideal with a strong  gusty wind blowing down the length of the 3G Astroturf Pitch. Manchester Rovers made a promising start to the tie putting heavy pressure on United’s back four of Peter Adams, Richard Farnie, Lee Buckley and Peter Reid. In reply United’s players worked hard in all area’s of the pitch and despite far too many misplaced passes Beechy still managed to create a few decent chances. James Brierley and Man of the Match Danny Browne combined down the left flank but Matthew Robertson’s curling right footed effort drifted inches wide of the target. Manchester Rovers appeared to be enjoying the experience of playing on an artificial surface as they displayed good technical ability and a high level of fitness. In the 34th minute United got what proved to be their match winning goal when Danny Browne managed to keep the ball in play and set-up Michael Keane who took full advantage from the edge of the area and found the back of the net courtesy of a powerfully struck half-volley. Close to half time Beechy keeper Andrew Coogan made a couple of superb saves as the visitors searched for an equaliser. A similar pattern developed as the match resumed with play swinging  rapidly from end to end but as they continued to produce periods when they wasted possession far too easily United’s solitary one goal lead never seemed enough and for the last 25 minutes reverted to a 4-5-1 system. Both Browne and Keane came close to getting Beechy another goal but it was the visitors who created the bulk of the scoring chances. Fortunately United survived because Manchester Rovers lacked a natural goalscorer in their ranks with their No9 who was probably their best player being guilty of some glaring misses though he did force a world class save from Coogan in the closing moments.