Sandbach return to winning ways

Before the game both sets of players, officials and supporters impeccably observed a minute silence for the late Ashton Athletic secretary ‘Taffy’ Roberts who sadly passed away in the week.

Sandbach were looking to end the month on a high as they looked to win the team of the month award for September after winning 3 out of 4 games and 23 goals. It only took Sandbach ten minutes to get their 24th goal of the month and their first in this game.

A freekick from the left by Dean Twigg was met at the back post by top scorer James Kirby who beat the keeper to the ball and was able to head the ball into the empty net. It was a great start for Sandbach as they looked to control the game from the first whistle.

The first half was very scrappy, the game lacked that bit of quality as both teams struggled to keep possession. With ten minutes left of the half Kieran Garner-Knapper (Opposition Man of the Match) used his pace to race past the defenders and drive towards goal, as got into the box the keeper came rushing out, Garner-Knapper tried to poke the ball under Williams in the Wythenshawe net, but he managed to get a vital touch on the ball that turned around the wrong side of the right post.

Neither side had taken control of the game and as the referee blew his whistle for half time the game was still very much in the balance.

Five minutes after the restart and Sandbach doubled their lead after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to the feet of Twigg who was able to shift the ball to Garner-Knapper on the left of box, the winger then placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal making the score 2-0 and giving the away side a comfortable lead with 40 minutes to go.

Three minutes later Garner-Knapper was again able to use his blistering pace to drive towards goal, as he beared down on goal the defenders applied the pressure, so he squared it to Buckley on the left of the box who fired a low shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal but unfortunately for him it went the wrong side of the post and crashed into side netting.

Sandbach had dominated the early stages of the second half and they were in control, with 15 minutes to go they added a third when Kirby applied pressure on the defence and was able to win the ball back in the opposition half, he then raced towards goal before unselfishly squaring the ball to substitute Josh Lane who fell over the ball, but thankfully he and the ball ended up in the back of net. I can safely say that the goal will not be a contender for goal of the season!

With 15 minutes left Sandbach were well in control and they looked odds on for the win but with seven minutes left Wythenshawe substitute Michael Taylor curled a freekick from 25 yards out into the top left corner, giving his side a glimmer of hope.

Four minutes later, the home side were awarded a penalty when Kris Stockton was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, up stepped Taylor to fire the ball into the top left corner, the keeper guessed right but the penalty was just too strong.

Sandbach had suddenly found themselves hanging on for the 3 points in a crazy turn of events.

The referee indicated 5 added minutes which would have worried manager Andy Hockenhull, however in the 91st minute the home sides task was made a lot harder as Dan Hudson picked up his second booking of the game after a blatant push on Jake Chadwick.

Sandbach were bombarded with set pieces but they managed to stay strong and hold on for a massive three points against a very good side.

Match Report: Jack Beresford

For more match photos click here.

Next Matches:

On Wednesday, Sandbach travel to Eccleshall for a 7:45pm kick off. Whilst Saturday sees them return to league cup action as they host Cheadle Town in the second round (3pm).