After a last-minute 1-0 defeat to promotion chasers Wythenshawe Amateurs, Sandbach head straight into their next fixture at home to the title favourites from Manchester. The Ramblers lie 7th in the table after failing to take advantage of Cheadle Town’s 3-3 draw to Abbey Hulton, as Saul Henderson scored Wythenshawe’s winner in the dying moments of the game to lock Sandbach into their league position. Three points behind them are Stafford Town, whilst Cheadle sit four points ahead but have played an extra game.

A tough December fixture list for the Cheshire side sees them play three of the favourite sides to make it into the South Division playoffs in as many weeks, with an away FA Vase trip to Step 5’s Loughborough Students sandwiched in between. Having already dropped points against Wythenshawe Amateurs, manager Andy Hockenhull will be aiming to get through West Didsbury and FC Isle of Man with some points in the bag to continue that push for the top 5.

West Didsbury have been firing on all cylinders this season and sit comfortably top of the NWCFL South Division on 54 points, six points ahead of 2nd-placed New Mills. The Manchester side, along with Bury AFC, are the only clubs in the entire North West Counties yet to have been defeated in league action so far this season. Although there are still plenty of games left to play, having only just passed the halfway point of the campaign, West Didsbury are beginning to move within touching distance of promotion to the Premier Division.

Earlier in the season, a fiercely contested battle between the sides was won at the death by West Didsbury. After taking the lead in the first half through Dontai Gabidon, Sandbach pulled a goal back through Bobbie McDonnell to ensure scores were level entering the break. After McDonnell saw a second goal controversially ruled out for offside, the hosts pressed Sandbach relentlessly and fought until the last minute for a winner, which they found through Marcus Dibble. Over the course of the game, both sides had shown their attacking talents and produced an exciting, even match. Sandbach will be determined not to allow their visitors to complete the double over them as they hope to slow down the title charge whilst reigniting their own playoff hopes.