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Beechfield United SM v Manchester North End

10am  22 February 2020

Manchester Saturday Morning League, MEN Cup Quarter-Final
Beechfield United SM 5 Manchester North End 3 (att 8)

After days of heavy rain I knew I'd probably be watching football on artificial surfaces, but I hadn't expected the wet weather to affect the 3G pitch that was hosting my first choice for a morning game .

Standing water meant the pitch at Manchester Health Academy was closed, forcing a South Manchester and Cheshire Christian League cup final to be moved to an alternative venue - annoyingly one I'd already been to.

Instead I headed to a recently-installed 3G at the David Lewis Playing Fields, a ground Salford University has taken ownership of from the city council. It's a typical caged and floodlit pitch, with a spectator area on one side.

Beechfield United run two sides in the Manchester League, both playing at Salford Sports Village. Their Saturday morning side previously played there as well, but for some reason have settled on this as a new home.

It was a lively and entertaining game, particularly in the first half. North End opened the scoring, but Beechfield soon hit back and within the space of a few minutes had gone 4-1 in front. A penalty for the visitors made it 4-2 before the break.

The second period couldn't match the first, but a goal each kept up the entertainment level, and sent Beechfield into the semi-finals.








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