The official website for Beechfield United

Interesting items in a Newsletter dated September 1997 were as follows:-  The Under 13s welcomed two new players into their ranks, Colin McDonald who joined from Boothstown Juniors and Jeremy Green previously with Heyside Juniors. Stephen Owen left to play for North Manchester and Danny Livesey who had been the team’s outstanding player joined Bolton Wanderers School of Excellence. The club were organising a Blues Brothers Night on Saturday 18th September at the Willows Variety Centre,Salford, tickets were £12.50 each which included a buffet.

Now playing their football on Saturday’s United’s 1st and 2nd Team’s both made their debuts in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League. Goals from new boys Dave Cox and Brian Nuttall gave the 1st team a 2-0 lead against Oldham College but in atrocious conditions United eventually lost the match 4-2. But the 2nd team fared much better when they met Oldham College’s B team. United who had home advantage produced a superb display and celebrated a 3-1 victory thanks to goals by Lee Brady (2) and Craig Small. The performance of the weekend was delivered by the Under 15s who came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Charlestown. Goalscorers were Brian Cross, Chris Egan, Peter Jones and Paul Wilson. (14&15/9/97)

After  four successive victories in the Lancashire and Cheshire League Beechfield United’s 1st team had moved into a mid-table position in Division 3. Rob Worley and Dave Thompson scored the goals when United beat Irlam and Cadishead 2-1. (25/10/97)

In a re-arranged fixture the Under 11s enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Leigh RMI. The goals came via Gary Haslam, Daniel Tennant, Sam Dale and Stephen Robertshaw. On the same day Paul Wilson and Peter Jones got the goals for the Under 15s who lost 3-2 to Parkwyddn. Adam Thorpe was voted Man of the Match. (26/10/97)

The Under 13s suffered a 6-5 defeat after an highly entertaining match against Little Hulton Lions. Goalscorer’s were Lee Caldwell (2) Simon Lawrence, Matthew Thompson and BJ Tennant. Producing an excellent performance were the Under 14s (A) team who beat  previously unbeaten Woodbank  1-0 in a Manchester Youth League cup tie. John Smith scored the all important winning goal. (2/11/97)

A goal by Mike Gould was just reward for the 2nd team who were held to a 1-1 draw by Clarksfield St Edwards. (15/11/97) Junior Section activity included a 3-2 victory for the Under 10s who were 3-2 winners over Moorside Rangers. Stuart Bennett, Brad Loughrey and Alex Brogan were on target. (16/11/97)

Paul Batty, Stephen Robertshaw and Steven Canning fired in the goals for the Under 11s as they won 3-0 at Hindsford Juniors. A 5-2 win for the Under 13s came courtesy of goals from Matthew Thompson (2) Brian Tennant, Simon Lawrence and Tom McGarva (penalty) Opponents Marauders scored both their goals from the penalty spot. (16/11/97)

In the Lancashire and Cheshire League United’s 2nd team produced a polished display at home against Division 4 leaders Old Ashtonians. The visitors opened the scoring but Beechy created some wonderful football and got a deserved equalising goal from Sean Openshaw. (22/11/97)

Still seeking their first win of the season were the Under 12s. A goal by Anthony Collins goal put United ahead against Leigh RMI but at the final whistle of a Knock-Out cup tie Beechy had suffered a 3-1 defeat. (23/11/97)

Booking their place in the Manchester Youth League cup semi-final’s were the Under 14s (A) team. A 3-2 victory against Hindsford Villa arrived thanks to goals from John Smith, Ryan Buckley and Colin Carter. (23/11/97)

BEECHFIELD BOUNCE BACK IN GOAL RUSH.

The 1st Team were involved in a ten goal thriller with Hollingworth and after a miraculous turnaround, took all three points. Beechy trailed 3-1 at half time before they mounted a revival which clearly had the Hollingworth side in a spin. In the early stages of the match it looked as if it was not going to be United’s day as their defence was uncommonly generous to the Hollingworth forwards. Pressure from the frontmen meant that they conceded two own goals as the opposition appeared to have the game sewn up. The muddy surface centred around the midfield area of the pitch did not help matters so most of United’s attacks were worked down both flanks. The football was not stylish but goals are goals and they were arrived through honest endeavour and precise finishing. The first goal came from Adrian Brocklehurst but the opposition extended their lead further before the break. In the second half United’s play was a revelation as they outclassed Hollingworth in all area’s of the pitch. They passed and moved with a new purpose and slick interplay led to Brocklehurst getting his second goal of the game. The avalanche then swept Hollingworth away as Rob and Paul Worley, Nathan Brady and Ross Hilton (penalty) added further goals which guaranteed Beechy a 6-4 victory. (29/11/97)

Maintaining a top four place in the Lancashire and Cheshire League C Division were the 2nd team. In a 3-1 win at Aldermere some of United’s football was of the highest quality plus there were superb individual performances from several players. Keeper Richard Gray contributed with three excellent saves, in defence both Richard Farnie and Phil Beeston were outstanding while Aaron Atkinson was a tireless worker in midfield and Lee Brady caused havoc with his tricky run’s on the left wing. Aldermere somehow managed to keep the score to 0-0 at the interval but after the break United stepped up a gear and were rewarded for more wonderful attacking soccer. Team Captain Craig Small opened the scoring followed by a super strike from Shaun Openshaw and it quickly became 3-0 thanks to a goal on his debut by Matthew Hughes. United relaxed their grip on the game and Aldermere got their consolation goal about ten minutes from the end. (13/12/97)

The Under 15s went down 3-2 to Irlam Juniors. United’s goal’s came via Peter Jones and Brian Cross. (14/12/97)

Despite a decent performance the 1st team suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Rhodes Cup. In a first round tie against Old Stretfordians Adrian Brocklehurst’s goal put Beechy ahead but they wasted numerous chances to give themselves a more comfortable lead. In the second half Old Stretfordians scored a scrappy equaliser and snatched victory following some woeful United defending. (31/1/98)

Darren Minshull scored a consolation goal for the 3rd team who lost 2-1 at home against Old Stoconians. United players were informed after the match by the Lancashire and Cheshire League chairman that he would be nominating them for the league’s sportsmanship award. (21/2/98)

In a supplementary cup game goals from BJ Tennant (2) Lee Caldwell (2) Simon Lawrence, Lee McCann, Matthew Thompson and goalkeeper Marcus Hill guaranteed the Under 13s an emphatic 8-0 victory over Boothstown Juniors. (22/2/98)

Ross Drennan scored a consolation goal for the Under 10s who lost 4-1 at North Walkden. A couple of unforced defensive errors led to the Under 15s going down 2-1 to Boothstown Juniors. United’s goal came courtesy of Paul Wilson while Chris Bell collected the Man of the Match Award. (15/3/1998)

Back in action after a two week lay off were the 1st team and the lack of match practice didn’t help because United lost 2-1 away at Romiley FC. But United did make a confident start and opened the scoring when Pete McLoughlin set up Paul Worley for a simple close range finish. Romiley found a quick equaliser and the match was evenly balanced with both team’s creating chances galore. United were robbed of at least a draw when the home side stole all three points with their winning goal in the 70th minute. (21/3/98)

The 2nd team who earned themselves a 7-1 away victory over Parswood Celtic received generous praise by Manager George Lockley. United’s goal’s scored tally reached 72 thanks to Shaun Openshaw (hat-trick) Lee Brady, Colin Gray, Richard Farnie (penalty) and Richard Jackson who scored the goal of the game. (Not sure if a Manchester City scout was watching ) (28/3/98)

There were hat-trick’s for Ross Carhill, Steve Walton, and Kerim Jones as the Under 10s cruised to a 14-0 win against Hindsford Juniors. Also on target were Scott Taylor, Brad Loughrey, Stuart Bennett, Daniel Fernhead plus an own goal. (29/3/98)

United’s Under 14s (A) team moved smoothly into the Manchester Youth League knock-out cup semi-final’s following a 7-0 quarter-final replay victory over Ashton Athletic. Goalscorers were John Smith (3) Paul Fielding (2) Marc Hinde and Ryan Williams. (29/3/98)

There was a jeckyll and hyde type performance from the 1st team when they met St Margaret Mary’s. On a very muddy pitch at Beech Farm Playing Fields United who’s football in the first half was outstanding held a 4-1 lead at one stage. But the Beechy players couldn’t have forseen the nightmare they endured in the second half because St Margaret Mary’s took control and eventually won the contest 5-4. Craig Small, Aaron Atkinson, Dave Goodwin and Neil Lemmon got the goals. On the same day Steve Foster (3) Steve Grimes, Rob Hilton and Mike Gould were on target as the 3rd team enjoyed a comfortable 6-2 win over Romiley FC. (4/4/98)

In the Junior Section the Under 12s met Charlestown in the Supplementary Cup and goals by Alex Law (2) Paul Smith, Matthew Pollitt and Anthony Collins (penalty) secured United a 5-3 victory. Goalscorers for the Under 10s who ended their season with a 5-1 win against Hindsford Juniors were Ross Drennan (2) Scott Taylor (2) and Brad Loughrey. (5/4/98)

Ending their season with two games in four days were the Under 14s (A) team. In the Manchester Youth League United beat Bakewell FC 5-2 courtesy of goals via Marc Hinde (2) Paul Fielding, John Smith and Darren Owen. Marc Hinde was also on target when he got the consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat at Woodbank Juniors. (3/5/98)

The 1998 Six-A-Side Tournament was held over three days (2nd/3rd/4th May) at Beech Farm Playing Fields. Age Groups were U8s,9s,10s,11s,12s,13s,14s,15s/16s) Entrance Fee was £15 per team.

At the Salford Junior Sunday League meeting held on 12/5/98 Beechfield United Under 14s were praised by several committee members regarding their sportsmanship and excellent disciplinary record. They fully deserved the league’s Fair Play Award for 1997/1998.

Both end of the season Junior and Senior Presentation Evening’s were held at a the Lancastrian Hall, Swinton. At the Junior event Michael Twiss a former Beechfield player and now a member of Manchester United’s 1st team squad presented trophies to all age group’s up to and including the Under 13s. Trophies at the Senior event were handed out to players from the Under 14s to the 3rd team by Terry Phelan (Everton & Republic of Ireland)