After a long break, since the beginning of November, due to bad weather, Beckley Rangers U18s were back in action last weekend. They were away to unbeaten Cranbrook U18s in the Crowborough and District league cup quarter-final match.
With the pitch heavy-going it was the home side who took the lead in a physical game, but it was not long before Beckley came to life with Charlie Newman scoring from a Sam Garner corner. It was then Lewis Carpenter, on his team début, who broke free of the Cranbrook defence to slot the ball home, scoring Beckley’s second. Sam Roberts added goal number three with lovely link-up play with Lucas Zon. Cranbrook struck back just before the break making the score 3-2 at half time to Beckley Rangers.
With a change of formation for the second half, Beckley took the game to them, with Joe Fraser floating in a great free kick for Josh Zon to head home. It was quickly 5-2 as Henry Donoghue scored his first of four goals from a cross delivered again by Joe Fraser. With some great wing play Garner crossed the ball in for Donoghue to head in his second, these two players linking up again for Donoghue’s hat trick.
This was followed moments later by Carpenter heading the ball into the back of the net scoring his second. Cranbrook never gave up and kept fighting back adding two for themselves 8-4. Henry unleashed a 28yd free kick into the top corner 9-4. Next game away is on Sunday to Eastbourne Borough.
Lankelma and McCartney Productions Man of Match was Henry Donoghue, but it was a great whole team performance.