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On 'Rhode' to cup glory

24/ 1/2008

BEECHFIELD United breezed into the second round of the Rhodes Cup with a comfortable 5-0 home win over Newton FC on Saturday.

United failed to produce a classic display on their 3G astroturf pitch but they did show flashes of their trademark top quality attacking football.

Following the recent spell of adverse weather, this cup tie was one of only three games played in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League at the weekend.

Newton relied heavily on the long ball tactic while United, who looked full of confidence, moved the ball about with speed and accuracy and they took a deserved lead after only five minutes.

Aaron Dennis and Mike Brierley were involved in the move which led to man of the match Martin Blackshaw racing through unchallenged to cooly side-foot the ball between the Newton keeper’s legs.

United created a constant flow of stylish moves down both flanks and Brierley doubled their lead on 23 minutes thanks to a great piece of skill and a sublime finish.

Blackshaw made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Danny Rowcroft had been fouled inside the area just three minutes later.

United keeper Joe Perry was then forced to make a couple of important saves and he breathed a sigh of relief when a 25-yard shot smacked against his crossbar.

Newton hit the bar again late in the second half but United were home and dry long before then.

Brierley bagged his second goal of the game with another brilliant finish on 50 minutes.

And Mike Gould completed the scoring just 90 seconds later when he evaded two strong challenges inside the penalty area and hammered the ball past Newton’s keeper at the second attempt.

United wasted several chances to extend their lead.

And, although Newton tried hard enough, the visitors struggled to break down a well organised United defence in which Paul Brierley and Carl Henshaw were impressive throughout.