The official website for Beechfield United

On 14th December 2002 Beechfield United’s 1st Team beat St Margaret Mary’s 11-2 in Round 3 of the Manchester Amateur Cup. Man of the Match was Matt Little following his star-studded eight goal performance. The other goals came via an Anthony Weall hat-trick.

GOLDEN GOAL HEARTBREAK FOR BEECHFIELD UNITED FIRST TEAM.

MANCHESTER AMATEUR CUP FINAL.

United let slip a 4-2 lead to lose a heartbreaking final played at Brantingham Road Chorlton in the second period of extra time. The tie had been forced into the extra thirty minutes by a Heywood St James equalising goal scored during an incredible nine minutes of injury time, but Beechy couldn’t quit hold out for a penalty shoot-out against their very physical Lancashire Amateur League opponents. United went ahead in the 14th minute when Anthony Weall got on the end of a superb low cross by Luke Mather and lobbed the ball into the net. Heywood St James replied from the penalty spot but Richard Jackson restored Beechy’s lead with a close range effort. Slack defending gifted Heywood St James another equaliser just before half-time. As the second period unfolded United’s keeper Chris Johns made a couple of brilliant saves before two goals in eight minutes from Dave Cox and Christian Bates seemed enough to guarantee Beechy victory. But a late Heywood penalty caused United jitters and during a mysterious nine minutes of added time Heywood scored again making it 4-4. The golden goal rule came into operation and it was Heywood St James who were celebrating after the final whistle. (15/4/2003)

In the Bury and Radcliffe Junior League the Under 14s were Division 2 Runner’s-Up and Taylor Marshall was Under 14s Division 2 Player of the Year. (Team Manager – Barry Minshull) The Under 16s were Division 2 Runner’s-Up and Simon King was Under 16′s Division 2 Player of the Year. (Team Manager – Keith Bromiley)

COLIN RODEN MEMORIAL TROPHY -(Team of the Year) – 2002/2003. U/7s Mason Shields U/8s Michael Cottrill U/9s Nathan Youd U/10s Matthew Hodgson U/11s Daniel Walton U/12s Paul Smith U/13′s Stephen Evans U/14s Taylor Marshall U/15s Brad Loughrey U/16s Aaron Earith.

ROLL OF HONOUR 2002/2003.

U/7s – PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Peter O’Shea SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR – Zak Asif MANAGERS MERIT AWARD – Kane Rowley U/8s – POTY – Aaron Drummond  SOTY – Jake Kenny MANAGERS MERIT AWARD – Sam Watton  U/9s – POTY – Nathan Sands-Filer  SOTY – Mark Raymond  MMA – Jake Howcroft U/10s – POTY – Matthew Hodgson  SOTY – Daniel Kelly MMA – Wade Mechan  U/11s – POTY – Alex Mulgrew  SOTY – Connor Hinde  MMA – Ben Riley U/12s – POTY – Jake Hardman  SOTY – Jack Hurst  MMA – James Thomson  U/13s – POTY – Andrew Daley  SOTY – Steven Ellison  MMA – Pierce Morrison  U/14s – POTY – Ryan Dyson SOTY – Ben Knight  MMA – Taylor Marshall  U/15s – POTY – Ryan Farrelly  SOTY – Oliver Dolan MMA – John Hinds  U/16s – POTY – Stefan Wilson  SOTY – Lee Sharples  MMA – Craig Sharples.

With reference to a trip to Torquay arranged by Sports Tours Ltd in May 2003 the Under 10′s took part in the South West of England International Soccer Tournament and the end of the event they were presented with the Fair Play Award by Tony Cottee the former West Ham & Everton player.(Team Manager – Tommy McLoughlin)

Details of 2003 6-a-side Tournament . Under 7s Winners – De La Salle Runners Up – Fletcher Moss. Under 8s Winners – Deans Sports R/U – North Walkden. Under 9s Winners – Broadway Celtic R/U – Bolton Lads Club. Under 10s Winners – Brandlesholme Warriors R/U – Winsfield Rovers. Under 11s Winners – Juno United Eagles R/U – Accoutre FC. Under 12s Winners – Moston Juniors R/U – Hindsford Juniors. Under 13s Winners – Little Moss Juniors R/U – Beechfield United. Under 14s Winners – Accoutre FC R/U – Stretford Victoria Under. 15s Winners – Trafford Juniors R/U – Chadderton Park.

The Guide Dogs Charity Shield Football Match between Beechfield United XI and Bolton Wanderers XI took place on Sunday 31st August 2003 at Stainton Park the home of Radcliffe Borough FC.  Manager for the day was Shane Flanagan who was assisted by Neil Howcroft . United’s eighteen man squad was as follows :- Alan Hesling, Steve Bull, Jim Pilling, Gary Kenny, Robert Bryan, Dave Allen, Colin Bridgford, Brendan Loughrey, Graham Rothwell, Simon Lawrence, Andy Wilson, Tommy McLoughlin, Jim Wright, Paul Dyson, Simon Cornwell, Charlie Warner, Andy Waters and Mike Evans. Match Officials were Ryan Johnson, Steve Cundall and Pete Hughes.

Pre-Match Entertainment included games between Beechfield United Under 7s v Under 8s and Under 9s v Under 10s. Each player was presented with a medal by the Guide Dogs Fundraising Development Officer, Rod Arthern.