Victory for Sandbach in Pre-Season Friendly

Sandbach’s team featured many trialists as manager Andy Hockenhull looks to get his team set as they aim to go one step further this year after their play off final defeat last season.

Ashton had the first meaningful attempt on goal after just five minutes when a free kick from the right was headed on goal by the Ashton striker, unfortunately for him his header was dramatically saved by Sandbach keeper Ryan Moss as he tipped the ball over the bar. Three minutes later Moss was called into action again as he had to palm away a shot from the edge of the box from Ashton’s number 8.

On the 25-minute mark Sandbach had their first real attack when a poor clearance from the Ashton goalkeeper fell straight to Stuart Tulloch on the edge of the box, Tulloch had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, although unfortunately for the Sandbach man the ball crashed off the bar and fell kindly back into the arms of the Ashton goalkeeper. That was Sandbach’s only opportunity of the first half, as they spent most of it weathering the Ashton storm, in the 28th minute a cross from the left fell nicely for the Ashton number 10 and he was allowed to turn in the box and then unleash a shot that was well saved by Moss diving to his right.

Sandbach we’re very defensive and couldn’t seem to get the ball out of their own half. With five minutes to go before half time a long ball from the right back fell to the feet of the number 3, he took it in his stride and drove into the box, before cutting inside onto his right foot and then slicing his shot wide of the far post right at the pivotal moment.

As the first half ended it was Ashton who looked the more threatening but an inspired performance by the Sandbach goalkeeper kept the scores level.

Sandbach made many substitutions at half time and they made an impact just five minutes into the second period, the ball played into the path of Harrison Bostock who took the ball in his stride and drove at the Ashton defence, his blistering pace allowed him to be one on one with the keeper and then calmly slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal, giving the keeper no chance and putting Sandbach 1-0 up.

Four minutes later Sandbach looked to double their lead as Jake Chadwick found Aaron Knight on the left-hand side, Knight then played it back to Chadwick, his shot from just inside the box was easily saved by the legs of the goalkeeper. Sandbach looked brighter in the second half, the changes had worked in their favour, although they had reshuffled their back four which meant that there were holes for the opposition to exploit. Ashton took advantage of this as their number 3 drove at the Sandbach defence and unleashed a venomous shot that was too hot for Moss to handle, the rebound fell to the striker, however Moss was able deal with his shot on goal.

With fifteen minutes to go it was evident that fitness was playing a major role in how both teams went about things. Two of Sandbach’s half time substitutions linked up to try and double their lead as Harry Thornton found Adam Clayton on the left, who was able to cut into the box onto his right foot, however his shot was easy for the keeper.

The final chance of the game fell to Ashton with five minutes to go as a corner from the left was cleared by a Sandbach head, but the ball fell to number 12 who rocketed a shot from the edge of the box, but luckily for Sandbach it flew just over the bar.

The game ended 1-0 to Sandbach and it very good game despite the lack of goals, it was a good test for Hockenhull’s team as Ashton were a very organised side.

Match Report: Jack Beresford