West Didsbury & Chorlton 0-2 Sandbach United

Sandbach travelled to The Recreation Ground to face West Didsbury & Chorlton in the quarter final of the Playermatch.com Cup. A competition which Sandbach are the current holders of.

The hosts started the better of the two sides and it only took two minutes for them to have their first opportunity of the game as the tall Sam Heathcote met a corner from the right side, but he headed wide of the near right post.

Sandbach were really struggling to get into the game and they had keeper Sam Booth to thank for keeping the scores level, as after eight minutes Matthew Argent-Barnes won the ball on the edge of the box, he then drove towards the goal. But his shot was pushed around the post from the Crewe Alex loanee.

Two minutes later Booth was on hand to keep the scores level once again as James Hooper was played in behind down the right side, he got into the box and shot but it was straight at Booth who palmed it away.

After an early onslaught from the hosts it was finally Sandbach’s turn to have their first attempt as Kieran Garner-Knapper used his pace to get down the left side and into the box, he then cut inside and shot but it was blocked and then cleared away to safety.

After a blistering start to the game it then settled down, Sandbach we’re having more of the ball and trying to retain a foothold in the match.

The next real opportunity of the game came with five minutes to go of the half, Will Saxon raced down the right side before firing in a low cross which was met by Danny Bartle at the near post but his poke went just wide of the right post.

As half time loomed there was time for one more opportunity. Sean Moscrop picked up the ball on edge of the box, before trying to feed Garner-Knapper but Moscrop’s through ball was blocked. Luckily for him it came back to him and he was given another opportunity to feed Garner-Knapper, this time it deflected perfectly into the path of the Sandbach winger who slotted past the keeper from ten yards out. After failing to take his chances in the last few weeks Garner-Knapper finally found the net and that would have done him the world of good.

At half time Sandbach would have been pleased to go in a goal ahead, especially after weathering the West Didsbury storm in the early parts of the game.

Unlike the first half, Sandbach began the second the better of the two sides and they had a super chance to double their lead after just one minute of the half. Saxon’s low cross was fired across the face of goal and the keeper took a wild swing to clear it but he missed it, it then fell to Garner-Knapper at the back post who had the whole goal aim at, but he blazed over.

Sandbach we’re trying to keep the ball, run down the clock and control the game. The West fans in Rob Turley stand we’re doing all the could to push their team to find that equaliser but Sandbach were holding firm.

In the 65th minute Sandbach had another good opportunity to double their lead as Danny Bartle cut inside from the left side of the box and as he got to the byline he had limited options in the box, so decided to try and find the near post but the keeper saved well.

In the 76th minute Sandbach once again has Booth to thank as he made another very important save. A deep in-swinging free kick from the left side missed everyone and was heading for the far right corner. But Booth, despite seeing it late managed to claw it around the post and away to safety. He was keeping Sandbach ahead and frustrating the West fans behind his goal.

As the clock was ticking down the Sandbach back line were going deeper and deeper and the hosts were still throwing everything at United. James Hooper was latest culprit to miss a good opportunity for the home side as he drove into the box down the left side but he dragged his shot wide of the far right post.

As the game surpassed the 90 minutes. Sandbach broke at real pace and a long ball over the top looked to be too long for Will Saxon and the keeper got their first, however as the keeper went to pick the ball up, Saxon nipped one first and stole
If before the keeper could get to it. Saxon the cut inside from the right byline and tapped home, sparking scenes of jubilation and relief from everyone involved with the club.

Every single player ran over to celebrate with Saxon as they knew just how big the win was. They held firm and were excellent from front to back.

The game ended 2-0 to Sandbach and it was nothing more than they deserved. To come to West Didsbury, where their fans make it an intimidating place and get the win is massive. Hopefully this win gives United a lot of confidence and they will be dreaming of retaining their title of Playermatch.Com cup champions.

Sandbach have been drawn against Wythenshawe Town in a two legged semi final