Sandbach miss out in playoff semi final

Both teams came into the game on good form and were looking to continue that form into the playoffs. It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the game when Lee Pickerill drove at the Sandbach defence beating both Adam Clayton and Kris Stockton before unleashing a shot from 8 yards which was well saved by goalkeeper Ryan Moss.

The game got off to a nervy start and both teams were looking to get the ball down and take control of the game. In the 26th minute Sandbach winger Jordan Davies took matters into his own hands as he drove into the Whitchurch box before shooting from 6 yards out, his low shot was heading for the bottom right corner but was well saved by the feet of the keeper.

It was a cagey game with little chances but it was Sandbach who were looking the better of the two teams as the first half came to a close, they came close in the 42nd minute when a clearance fell to Ryan Allcock on the edge of the box, his first time right footed shot looked to be heading into the bottom left corner, but goalkeeper Read was again on hand to save and keep the scores level at half time.

Sandbach had the first chance of the second half when Ryan Cattermole switched the play to Josh Lane who then did well to cut inside from the left onto his right foot before curling his shot well wide of the far-right post. With 25 minutes to go it was looking as though a mistake or a moment of brilliance was going to win this game, in the 67th minute Adam Clayton came very close to producing this moment of magic when Davies switched the play from right to left and found Clayton in space, Clayton then got the ball out of his feet and unleashed a shot from 30 yards that looked to be flying into the top right corner of the goal, however Read was on hand yet again to prevent the ball from hitting the net as he tipped the ball round the post.

From the resulting corner that was taken by Cattermole, Lane headed just wide of the left post from 6 yards out. In the 71st minute Sandbach had a golden chance to take the lead when some good pressure from Kirby meant that the Whitchurch defence were made to panic and then give the ball away to Davies, the Welshman then drove into to the box and was able to round the keeper, with the goal gaping and Kirby unmarked in the middle, Davies shot on goal from a very tight angle but hit the ball into the side netting of the near left post. It was the wrong decision as he had taken the ball too wide, he really should’ve squared it for Kirby who was unmarked in the middle and had the whole goal to aim at.

Five minutes later Sandbach were made to pay for this missed opportunity in the cruellest of ways when a cross from Pickerill went across the edge of the box and fell kindly for captain Simon Everall who missed the ball completely but the ball reached substitute Joe Cuff on the right side of the box who hit a left footed shot that took a wicked deflection off Clayton that made the ball change direction and then find the bottom right corner of the Sandbach goal leaving Moss helpless and giving the home side the lead.

Sandbach piled on the pressure as they tried to equalise late on but the Alport defence stood firm and preserved their lead. The game ended 1-0 to the home side and meant that they will play Cammell Laird at home in the playoff final. For Sandbach, it was a devastating way to lose and it was a very sour end to the season although they should be very proud of how far they have come in such a short space of time.

Match Report: Jack Beresford