Sandbach United 2 Stone Old Alleynians 1

Sandbach United 2 Stone Old Alleynians 1

Sandbach get back to winning ways with victory over Stone

Sandbach manager Andy Hockenhull described his sides performance as much improved as they ran out 2-1 winners against Stone Old Alleynians in the Playermatch.com Cup.

Sandbach have been guilty of starting slowly in recent games which has paid dividends on the outcome of the game. Sandbach were lucky that Stone didn’t take the lead after just nine minutes when Igor Gritco picked up the ball on the edge of the box before shooting low, thankfully for Sandbach Sam Booth got down quickly enough to push the ball round the post.

Two minutes later it was United’s turn to have their first opportunity of the game. Jack Hart has missed the last three games through injury but he was back in the side today, he almost made an instant impact as his deep cross from the right found PJ Hudson, unfortunately for him he couldn’t keep his shot down and it went well over.

The first half was scrappy, both sides had limited attempts on goal and were struggling to break down their oppositions defence. However, on the stroke of half time the visitor took the lead. Stone captain Michael Williams sent in a corner from the left side and Oliver Griffiths managed to poke home from close range following a classic goal mouth scramble.

At half time United would have been disappointed to be a goal down, despite not having the better of the game Stone didn’t really offer much of a threat going forward. The fact that they conceded from a set play would have frustrated Hockenhull as it was a sloppy way to concede.

Sandbach started the second period the stronger of the two sides, in the 49th minute they had their attempt of the half as Adam Claytons low ball from the right was cleared away as far as Jack Hart on the edge of area, he bought the ball down and the shot low but it just went the wrong side of the far left post.
Ten minutes into the half, Hockenhull made a very positive double substitution as he bought on both Robbie Hatton & Kieran Garner-Knapper to inject a bit of pace and directness into his sides game. Hatton had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he had Sandbach’s first shot on goal, When he cut inside from the left side he looked to find the top right corner, unfortunately for him it went straight down the keepers throat.
Hockenhull said that Jack Hart has been a huge miss over the last few games, today he was back in the squad and made a real difference. He also had a major part in the equalising goal in the 6th minute as himself and Aaron Knight linked up well on the edge of the box allowing Hart to get to the by-line down the left side before crossing low for Robbie Hatton who poked home at the back post, ending Sandbach goal drought that last just over 3 and half games.

After getting back into the game Sandbach were looking favourites to grab the winning goal to send them into the quarter finals of the cup. Two minutes after scoring Sandbach came inches away from going in front as Ryan Allcocks free kick was met by Oli Jepson who headed agonisingly wide of the goal. Sandbach had been so much better in the second period that they had been in the last few weeks and they deserved to win the game.

In the 77th minute Sandbach squandered a golden chance as Robbie Hatton raced in behind and was through on goal, as he got into the box he let fly but the keeper saved well to keep the scores level.

The clock was ticking down and it was looking like we were going need penalties to separate the two sides. But then in the 86th minute Sandbach’s domination finally paid off as Aaron Knight raced down the left side before cutting into the box and then finding Tom Williams fired his first time shot into the top right corner, off the bar and in sparking scenes of relief for everyone connected to Sandbach United. It was a superb finish from Tom Williams who repaid his gaffer for showing faith in him in the last few weeks.

The full time whistle went and Sandbach found themselves in quarter final of the Playermatch.com cup, a competition which they’re currently the holders off.

After the game I spoke to manager Andy Hockenhull who said “The last few games we have been guilty of waiting for others to do things and win the game for us, other than doing it all as a unit. Today I felt like we hunted the ball down better and I feel like we’ll be better than that on Tuesday. The win also gives us a platform to build on going into Tuesday nights game against Vauxhall Motors, I feel like if we would have lost today it would have been doom and gloom for us”