After the 4-3 win at Cheadle, Sandbach’s play off spot was already confirmed and as a result of this manager Andy Hockenhull left out some of his key players including the ever reliable goal keeper Ryan Moss, his replacement Ben Cadman had to make the first save of the game in the 34th minute, when right back Joseph Richards drove into the box and got to the byline and then fired his shot straight at Cadman, the save from Cadman rebounded to the feet of Jack Ward who then tried to lob the Sandbach keeper from the right side of the box but his shot went well side of the far left post.

Sandbach struggled to get to grips with the heat and the bobbly pitch, and as a result of this it took until the 38th minute for them to register their first meaningful shot on target, a long raking switch of play from Ali Chapman found Josh Lane on the right, he then played a lofted ball over the top to Chris Smith who was on the right of the box and blazed over from just inside the box.

Sandbach looked to take the led before half time, they came close to doing this in the 42nd minute as Smith pulled the ball back from the right byline to Jake Chadwick who was on the edge of the box, Chadwick took a touch and unleashed a venomous shot with his right foot that was well tipped over by Havern in the Chadderton goal.

On the stroke of half time a Josh Lane corner from the left was missed by an unmarked Bradley Cooper who was unmarked and 6 yards out, the ball then fell to his centre back partner Bradley Dobson at the back post who blazed over from close range.

At half time the game was very much in the balance and it was still all to play for in the second half.

In the 62nd minute Cadman was again called into action when Jack O’Leary played the ball in behind the defence to Jack Ward who was free on the left side of the box, his shot was then well saved by the legs of the Sandbach goalkeeper. In the 68th minute Hockenhull made a triple substitution as brought on wingers Jordan Davies and Stuart Tulloch and top scorer James Kirby. This was a turning point in the game because two minutes later Davies won the ball in the Chadderton half and then played a lofted ball over the top to Josh Lane who was on the right side of the box, Lane waited for the ball to bounce nicely for him before lashing the ball into far-left corner of the net making it 1-0 to United.

In the 72nd second minute Sandbach doubled their lead as Lyndon Campbell found Jake Chadwick on the left, Chadwick’s in swinging cross was then met by Kirby at the back post who headed back across the goal, and into the bottom left corner. After spending 4 hours in the car to reach the match, it was a good powerful header from the striker who continues his quest to become the league’s top goal scorer.

Debutant Ben Cadman was excellent and deserved a clean sheet. Unfortunately in the 92nd minute he and captain Bradley Cooper had a lapse in communication, as Cadman was rushing off his line to clear a long ball, Cooper beat him to it and headed it back towards goal where he thought Cadman would be, as the ball went past the Sandbach keeper, Jack O’Leary was the through on goal, however he was then brought down by Cadman resulting in a penalty and a yellow card for the goalkeeper.

From the resulting spot kick Bradley Kay stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle leaving Cadman with no chance and gave the home fans something to cheer about.

It was merely a consolation goal for Chadderton as the game ended 2-1 to United. It was a good win for United who are looking to keep their winning run going as they prepare for the play offs.

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