Maine Road 0 Sandbach United 2

Josh Lane was excellent in Wednesdays win and he looked to make an instant impact as he played a great through ball over the top into the path of James Kirby in the box, but unfortunately Kirby could only fire the ball over from the right side of the box.

The conditions weren’t brilliant for football, the bobbly pitch and high winds were making things difficult for both sides, it meant that Sandbach couldn’t pass the ball around like they usually do. The pace of Kieran Garner-Knapper is however something that Sandbach like to make use of and in the 22nd minute his blistering pace almost led to a goal. He raced down the right flank and got to the by line, he then pulled the ball back to Kirby who tried to bundle the ball home from close range, however the keeper did well to block the ball despite not knowing much about it.

Four minutes later Sandbach took the lead, a Josh Lane corner from the left was met by Matty Pearson who headed home into the bottom right corner scoring his first game of the season and Sandbach’s first of the game. That goal was also United’s 200th division one goal. Sandbach deserved to take the lead, however, they had missed a few chances which seems to be a reoccurring issue for Hockenhull’s side. They missed another golden opportunity to with five minutes of the half left when Chris Rowntree won the ball in the opposition half, he then slid the ball into the path of James Kirby who was free in the box, however he saw his shot saved by the feet of the keeper who was keeping his side in the game.

At half time Sandbach were deservedly in the lead, however manager Andy Hockenhull will be frustrated about his sides lack of composure in the final third. The home side began the second half the brighter of the two teams and after five minutes of the half played they almost levelled. A long kick from the keeper ended up in the Sandbach box where Hendley met it on the half volley but unfortunately for him it went just went over the bar.

Three minutes later Sandbach doubled their lead. Aidan Haughton won the ball in the opposition half and played it to Ryan Allcock on the left flank, he then got to the by line and crossed for Garner-Knapper at the back post who volleyed the ball past the keeper and into the roof of the net. It was a thunderous finish from the Sandbach winger, the cross from Allcock was perfect for him too.

Sandbach had worked hard for their lead but four minutes later the home side almost pulled a goal back as Jamie Hill drove down the left wing before pulling the ball back to Hendley who fired his shot from 6 yards out onto the bar and out for a goal kick. They came close again two minutes later as Jamie Roe played the ball into the path of Ryan Smith who fired his shot straight at Moss in the Sandbach goal.

Maine Road were really piling on the pressure now, ever since United scored their second goal they seemed to take their foot off the gas and were lucky to still have a two goal lead. In the 64th minute the home side hit the woodwork once again, Michael Burke found the ball at his feet on the edge of the box, he then worked space for a shot that cannoned off the left post and it was then cleared from danger. Sandbach were riding their luck at this point. Maine Road were very unlucky to not have scored, time was running out for them if they wanted to take anything from this game. With the clock ticking down Maine Road had one last opportunity to score, in the 83rd minute they came very close once more as more good work from Lee Hendley allowed him to cross low from the left, it fell to Keyworth who saw his shot blocked by O’Riordan which meant the ball trickled past the right post and out for a corner.

As the referee blew the whistle for the last time Sandbach had won the game 2-0 and despite being on the back foot for most of the second they managed to grind out a result that will please manager Andy Hockenhull.

Match Report: Jack Beresford.

More match photographs can be viewed by clicking here.