After putting six past Cheadle in the league on Wednesday night Sandbach returned to cup action as they faced first division North outfit Atherton LR. Sandbach came into the game in good form after scoring 18 goals in their last 3 games. United’s opponents on the other hand were looking to pick up their first win of the season.

Sandbach started the game brightly as Ryan Allcock played the ball in behind the defence allowing Kirby have a free run on goal, as he got in on goal the keeper seemed to slip and lose his footing, Kirby tried to take advantage of this so he shot early from outside the box but the keeper managed to recover well and he was able to make the save.

The game had a scrappy start and conditions weren’t great, players seemed to be losing their footing as they tried to get used to the state of the pitch. 25 minutes in the home side should have taken the lead when a defence splitting pass from Nathan Randall found Gary Burnett who beat the offside trap and raced towards goal, as he got into the box he took a shot at goal that was well saved by Moss at his near right post.

Ten minutes later Sandbach finally took the lead when Harry Cain did well to find Adam Clayton on the by-line who pulled the ball back to Ryan Allcock who then opened up his body and curled the in off the far right post from the left side of the box, it was a superb way to open scoring from a man who has been so influential for United all season.

At 1-0 up Sandbach pushed for more goals as they looked to have a comfortable lead going into the half time break and with three minutes of the half to go they almost doubled their lead when a throw in from the left by Clayton found its way to Garner-Knapper whose shot from the left of the box was weak and easy for the keeper to save.

With half time approaching Sandbach doubled their lead as Ryan Allcock received the ball on the edge of the box and with his back to goal, Allcock then acrobatically flicked the ball over his head to Garner-Knapper who ran onto Allcock’s flick and poked the ball past the keeper from the left side of the box, it was another superb Sandbach goal and it gave them a solid lead as they went into the break.

At half time Sandbach had a well deserved 2-0 lead, however the next goal would be vital in the context of the game. One minute into the second half Atherton almost halved the deficit as a corner from the right was met by Daniel Ashburner whose header went just wide of the far-left post.

Four minutes into the second half Sandbach added a third goal when clearance from the defence looked as though it was going to roll into the keeper arms, however the ball seemed to hold up in the pitch allowing Billy Buckley to beat the keeper to the ball and then take it around him before slotting the ball home from well outside the box. It was a poor decision from the Atherton keeper, whose error has allowed Sandbach to put the game beyond them so early into the second half.

Four minutes later Kirby’s frustrating day in front of goal continued as he was played through by Matty Pearson but his shot from outside the box was easy for the keeper.

In the 55th minute Sandbach came agonisingly close to adding a fourth when a good 1-2 on the edge of the box between Allcock and Buckley saw Allcock go through on goal but his shot from the right of the box struck the far-left post before bouncing clear of danger.

Sandbach were in real control of the game but they just couldn’t find the net for the fourth time. With 20 minutes to go the game was all but over but Atherton were still pushing for a goal and they came very close when a corner from the right was met by Randall but his header was cleared off the line by Adam Clayton.

Five minutes later Clayton was in the thick of things again when he won a penalty after being bought down in the box. Kirby stepped up and after scoring five in the previous game, he was favourite to score but his penalty was well saved by the keeper who guessed the same way as Kirby as he dove his right side.

Despite being in control of the game Sandbach were dealt a real blow as ever reliable goalkeeper Ryan Moss who had been nursing a groin injury for the majority of the second half decided that he couldn’t carry on. Manager Andy Hockenhull hadn’t named any goalkeepers on the bench so that meant that Jake Chadwick had to play the last 10 minutes of the game between the sticks.

In the 85th minute Kirby finally found the back of the net as a deep cross from the left by Buckley was met by Kirby at the back post who superbly volleyed back across the keeper and into the far-left corner. It was a goal that well worth the wait, an excellent finish from Sandbach’s top scorer.

The game ended 4-0 to Sandbach who have now scored 22 goals in their last 4 outings, an outstanding stat that they can be very proud of, defensively they have been solid too conceding just once in that time.

Updated 17/09 The draw for the first round proper has now taken place and Sandbach will travel to NWCFL Premier Division side Squires Gate on 13th October. Watch out for an announcement regarding coach travel.

Match Report: Jack Beresford

More match photographs can be viewed by clicking here.