Wythenshawe Town 1-2 Sandbach United

Sandbach manager Andy Hockenhull says “it’s only half time, but we’re delighted to get two away goals” after they ran out 2-1 winners at Wythenshawe Town in the first leg of the Playermatch.com Cup on Saturday. They have the advantage going into Saturdays second leg but they can’t afford to be complacent.

Sandbach we’re coming off the back of a 3-1 win against local rivals Alsager Town last Friday, so they were full of confidence going into the game. Wythenshawe were flying in the league, they currently sit fourth and had won seven games on the bounce. However with was the cup, and anything can happen.

The game got off to a frantic start and Sandbach could have led after just four minutes, as Danny Bartle squandered a fantastic chance as he fired wide from the left side of the box.

Sandbach came close again three minutes later as Scott Evans got his 25 yard free kick up and over the wall, before the Town keeper parried it away to safety.

On 14 minutes Wythenshawe were millimetres away from taking the lead. Brad Bryne had blistering pace and exceptional close control and used this to full affect as he drove into the Sandbach box before going past Adam Clayton and then keeper Danny Hamlett, before shooting at an empty net. Luckily for Sandbach, their captain Chris Rowntree was on hand to dramatically clear it off the line with a superb sliding block which ended with him crashing into the post.

Sandbach then almost went straight up the other end and took the lead with a flowing counter attacking move which led to Valdermar Schousboe driving into the box, but then firing straight at the keeper from the left side.

Three minutes later it was then hosts turn to come once again. The dangerous Steven Yarwood crashed his 25 yard free kick off the up right. Danny Hamlett in the Sandbach goal was merely a spectator so he would have been relived when the ball crashed off the bar.

Hockenhull said that “We’re are always going to be a threat, especially with out attacking options of Schousboe, Danny and Will” On 26 minutes two of these players had a pivotal role in the opening goal. Danny Bartle won the flick on at the near post and then ball then fell to Schousboe who cut outside before shooting, Jakovlevs made and excellent save at his near post but the rebound fell to Scott Evans who bundled home to get his first goal for the club. For Sandbach, not only did it give them the lead, but it was an allusive away goal that could prove so pivotal in the return leg.

Three minutes after taking the lead, Sandbach then gave away a penalty as Liam Crellin-Myers went down under the tackle of Chris Rowntree, the referee showed no hesitation but to point to the spot. Brad Bryne stepped up for hosts and dispatched his penalty into the bottom right corner, leaving Hamlett flat footed in the Sandbach goal.

As half time was looming Sandbach would have taken this before the game, especially as they had one away goal. However, there was time for one more Sandbach attack in the first period, when the dangerous Will Saxon cut in from the left side and got into the box the Town defenders panicked, they were then forced to push Saxon off the ball and when he hit the deck the referee pointed to the spot for the second time today. Danny Bartle misses his last penalty but he was given the opportunity to get his confidence back. And he did just that as he sent the keeper the wrong way, as he rolled it into the bottom left corner.

As the referee concluded what was a very entertaining second half. Sandbach went into the dressing rooms knowing that they deserved their lead but they had a long way to go if they wanted to win the game.

Much like in the first half, Sandbach began the second the better of the two teams. On loan Nantwich man Will Saxon was proving a real threat for United and he came close once again in the 47th minute as he drove down the right side, cutting inside and then outside before shooting straight at the keeper from the just inside the box.

Ten minutes into the half the hosts were adamant that they had scored. A Yarwood free kick from the right side lead to a goal mouth scramble. Wythenshawe thought that they had bundled the ball over the line but the officials thought otherwise and the game remained level.

Andy Hockenhull described Sandbach’s defending as “unbelievable” after the game. He wasn’t wrong as they made some very important tackles and showed desire to put their bodies on the line to block the ball.

Sandbach we’re trying to get the hall down and play as they looked to frustrate the opponents. The town players began to show their frustration as they were guilty of committing needless fouls, the Wythenshawe manager was also booked by the referee for showing his frustration.

As the clock ticked down Sandbach we’re looking good for their win. However, in the 92nd minute the hosts had one more opportunity to level the scoring. Yet another cross caused chaos on the box and when the ball fell to a Town player, he shot from point blank range but Hamlett brilliantly saved the shot to keep his side in the game. Once again the Wythenshawe players were appealing that the ball crossed the line, but the referee was unmoved to pile more frustration on the Town players and management.

The referee then concluded what was a pulsating game. For Sandbach, it was a massive win, which they thoroughly deserved.

After the game Hockenhull said “despite us missing a few keep players we played really well. I thought the football we played at times was really good and we could have had a couple more goals. They had their chances though, especially in and around the goal” When asked about the second leg Hockenhull said “It’s just half time, in this level of football anything can happen. I’d take a 0-0 now but it’s not gonna happen” he then added “there are a few things that we can tweak and change but we looks strong. We have rebuilt from Christmas, which has been hard but we look good now so I’m happy