In the 7th minute, the referee was called into action for the first time when Sandbach’s top scorer James Kirby used his pace and got past his man down the right-hand side before being pushed off the ball and then through the fence that surrounds the pitch. The referee rightly awarded a freekick which was taken by Jordan Davies and met by centre back Kris Stockton at the back post who got up highest and headed into the side netting from close range.

Davies’ freekicks were proving a threat and 8 minutes later another one of his out swinging deliveries from the right was met by Kirby and his header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar, the rebound fell to Stuart Tulloch who headed towards goal, although his header was brilliantly blocked on the line by a Holker defender.

Holker hadn’t started the game very well and they found themselves on the back foot, however they did manage muster a chance in the 27th minute when a cross from the left by Gareth Smith found its way to Nathan Reid who had his back to goal, Reid managed to turn and find space for a shot that was deflected out for a corner.

In the 38th minute the woodwork saved Holker yet again. Good interchanging play down the right from Chadwick, Davies and Pearson allowed Pearson to get a cross in, the cross was deep and met by Chris Smith, although yet again the keeper pushed it onto the bar and out for a corner.

The first half was very disappointing, Sandbach were unlucky after hitting the bar twice, although neither side really deserved to be in front at the break. In the second half Holker came out the better side and they had a good chance on 58 minutes when Bradley Hubbold carried the ball down the right and then cut it back for Brandon Collins whose shot was weak and easy for Moss to save.

Two minutes later Sandbach had a chance against the run of play Tulloch’s cross found Kirby who was able to hold the ball up and lay it off for Chadwick on the edge of the box, his initial shot was blocked but the rebound fell back to him, this time instead of shooting he slid the ball through to Smith who was in on goal but unfortunately for him he couldn’t keep his shot down as it flew over the bar.

That was probably the best chance of the game and Smith really should’ve scored. In the 70th minutes Holker took advantage of that missed opportunity, as Sandbach failed to clear the ball, Bradley Hubbold picked it up and then danced his way past both Chris Jackson and Jake Chadwick before playing the ball into Gareth Smith who was the able to take a touch and fire the ball into the far-right corner, Moss got a fingertip to it but he couldn’t prevent it from going into the back of the net.

Sandbach were goal down with 20 minutes to go and despite going to a 4-3-3 and bringing on the likes of Ali Chapman, Luke Walley and Brandon Moores Sandbach couldn’t find that allusive equaliser. A loss for Sandbach means that they aren’t officially into the play offs yet, although manager Andy Hockenhull will be hoping that his side can secure their place before it’s too late.

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

Match Report: Jack Beresford
Photography: Nigel Kirby Photography