United score four to maintain play off push

Jack Beresford reports as Sandbach travelled to relegation threatened Nelson knowing that a win would be vital as they tried to cement their playoff place.

Six minutes in they almost got off to a perfect start as a corner from the left by Jordan Davies wasn’t cleared by Nelson and it eventually fell to right back Matty Pearson who headed wide from just six yards.

One minute later Stuart Tulloch played the ball into the path of top scorer James Kirby, and his first time shot from the outside the box looped off the Nelson keeper and went in off the far-right post. It was a wonder goal from James Kirby who caused the Nelson defence problems all game and was later awarded Opposition Man of the Match by Nelson.

Sandbach doubled their lead in the 15th minute when the ball fell to Ryan Allcock whose shot from distance was well saved by Wusiewicz but the rebound fell nicely for Tulloch who was on hand to score from six yards out and make the score line 2-0 to United.

Sandbach were clinical upfront, they were also solid in defence, left back Adam Clayton was doing all he could to maintain Sandbach’s lead when he produced a heroic last-ditch tackle to prevent Martin Trickett from scoring as he went through on goal in the 20th minute.

Sandbach scored a third on 37 minutes when Stuart Tulloch’s pass found Josh Lane who was able to poke the ball underneath the on-rushing keeper from just inside the box.

Sandbach were running riot, although the half time score line could’ve been 3-1 if it wasn’t for another goal saving tackle from Clayton, whose challenge meant that James Wolfenden couldn’t get his shot away.

At half time Sandbach were looking comfortable and well in control. 10 minutes after the break Jordan Davies did brilliantly well to get past his defender as he muscled his way into the box, his low drive went past Wusiewicz and looked to be heading for the back of the net, however out of nowhere Andrew Tinker slid in and cleared the ball away in dramatic fashion.

The Nelson defence were holding firm and produced another goal saving block in the 63rd minute when Davies’ low cross was met by Tulloch whose shot beat keeper Wusiewicz although it was heroically cleared by Wynne on the line.

On 67 minutes a deep freekick from Chris Turner made its way to the back post and found an unmarked James Wolfenden his original shot was well saved by Moss but Wolfenden was able to tuck away the rebound and make it 3-1.

Four minutes later it was 3-2 when Turner was able to curl the ball into the top right corner from outside the box, leaving goalkeeper Moss flatfooted.

Nelson were well and truly back in the game and they had the momentum going into the last 20 minutes. They should’ve equalised in the 80th minute when another deep set piece from Turner wasn’t dealt with by Sandbach allowing James Wynne to head straight at Moss from close range.

Sandbach were looking nervy as Nelson piled on the pressure as they looked for that allusive equaliser. However all their hard work was undone when in the 87th minute the ball was passed back to Musiewicz in the Nelson goal and with Sandbach sub Brandon Moores applying pressure, the goalkeeper tried to take him on and clear the ball away, although this backfired as Moores tackled him and then slotted the ball into the empty net sparking jubilant scenes on the Sandbach bench and heartbreak for the Nelson players who had battled well to get back into the game.

Despite conceding a fourth the Nelson players were still attacking Sandbach, and within the space of 4 minutes both Wolfenden and Turner had shots, although neither troubled Ryan Moss.

The game ended 4-2 and it proved to be a good victory for Sandbach who maintained their play off place.

Assistant manager Donny Brown said after the game “for once we started quite bright, we looked good and we took our chances, when it got to 3-2 we made changes to the formation and bought on Brandon Moores, whose goal was probably the turning point. I’m just pleased we got the 3 points in the end”.

The Sandbach United 1st team would like to thank Planet Environmental, RK Henshall Insurance Brokers and The Ganges for their support.

Next Matches:
On Tuesday, 5th placed Sandbach travel to 7th placed Cammell Laird (CH42 1PY) for what is expected to be a great match. Kick off is 7:45.

On Saturday, Sandbach are back in cup action when they play the 2nd leg of the 1st Division Cup semi final at Prestwich (M45 6WG). Prestwich lead 2-1 from the 1st leg, so its all to play for as Sandbach attempt to reach the final for the second season in a row.