6.15pm 10 April 2024
Wakefield and District League, Jim Callaghan Cup, Semi-Final
Beechwood Working Mens Club 3 Great Preston 0 (att 120)
Once the clocks go forward an hour groundhopping gets busy with extra midweek matches being played in the lighter evenings.
At least that's usually the case, but until tonight the relentless rain had meant all my hoped-for matches had been postponed. I had my doubts about this fixture, but Beechwood's optimism about the state of their pitch was well-founded.
Apart from one goalmouth the surface at Rein Park, in the Seacroft area of Leeds, was in good condition. It's a park pitch, but surrounding footpaths provide some hard standing and, on one side, an elevated view.
That was were most home supporters congregated, and there was a good turnout to see Beechwood ease their way into the Wakefield League's main cup competition.
Great Preston, from the league's middle division, were always underdogs against top flight Beechwood. The hosts had won all 13 of their league matches, so were unlikely to struggle.
They started well enough, going ahead early and doubling their lead midway through the first half. But the score remained 2-0 into a scrappy second half, and Beechwood's sloppy play gave Great Preston chances to get back into the game.
The visitors came close more than once, but didn't get the goal that might have threatened to change the outcome. Eventually, with six minutes left, Beechwood sealed their win with a third goal.
Comments
Post a Comment