Sandbach United 5 St Martins 3

The away side were on a four-game unbeaten streak and they seemed be adapting well to life in the North West Counties. Seven minutes into the game they continued their good form as they took the lead as Twanda Melusi cut into the box from the left side and crossed the ball, it was cleared as far as Nathan Millington on the edge of the box who fired the ball low towards the left corner where it cannoned off the post and into the net, giving Moss no chance.

The game was only seven minutes old and Sandbach found themselves a goal down, they knew that they were in for a tough task however the early goal made it a lot harder for them. Three minutes later United should have levelled as a poor clearance from the St Martins defender fell to Kieran Garner-Knapper on the right side of the box who had space and time, but his shot was straight at George Austin in the away sides goal.

Sandbach were struggling to get back into the game, despite having the better of the possession. After 21 minutes they had another golden opportunity as great determination from Billy Buckley allowed him to win the ball back on halfway, he then found Jordan Davies on the left side of the box who cut in and tried to curl the ball towards the far right post, but the keeper was on hand to push it around the post and out for a corner.

Four minutes later Sandbach’s domination of possession finally paid off as they found an equaliser. Jordan Davies drove into the box and looked to curl the ball into the bottom right corner, but the keeper saved well however the rebound fell to Knapper who fired the ball into the empty net from the right side of the box.

Finally, Sandbach were level, they knew had the momentum and were looking favourites to take the lead. Three minutes after equalising, United had a great chance to take the lead when Buckley had the ball inside the box with his back to goal but he was then needlessly bought down. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot much to the anger of Stuart Dickin who was shown two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent. It was a daft move from the St Martins number six who had ruined the game for his side after just 29 minutes.

The penalty was eventually taken by Josh Lane who fired the ball straight down the middle, past the diving keeper. Two Sandbach goals in just three minutes had turned this game on its head and they now lead 2-1.

With 10 minutes of the half to go Sandbach were in search of that third goal to double their advantage. Kieran Knapper burst down the flank and got on the end of a Pearson header, as Knapper got to the by-line he sent in a low cross to Jordan Davies who fired home from close range.

Even though Sandbach were without the league’s top scorer James Kirby, Knapper and Davies seem to be doing the damage and bagging the goals for United. On the stroke of half time Davies almost grabbed his second of the game when Aaron Knight sent in a low cross from the right which was met by the Welshman, but the keeper did well to keep it out.

As the referee blew the whistle for half time Sandbach, who went 1-0 down within ten minutes, now lead 3-1.

Sandbach started the second half like they ended the first and after 10 minutes they added their fourth goal of the game. Kieran Knapper on the ball in midfield and drove towards the right of the box, as he got into the box a cross towards the back post looked to be the better option, however he opened up his body and curled the ball into the far-left corner and in off the post.

As Sandbach thought they had the game in the bag, they left themselves open at the back which allowed Karl Bailey to latch onto a pass from midfield and get in behind and slot the ball past the on-rushing Ryan Moss in the Sandbach goal.

At 4-2 the next goal was very important, for Sandbach it could put the result beyond doubt but if the away side were to score it would put them right back in the game. It was the away side who grabbed the goal as a cross from the right was headed on goal but it was superbly saved by the keeper, however the rebound fell to Jamie Hands who fired the ball home.

Suddenly Sandbach found themselves on the back foot, with ten minutes to go they were just the one goal in front and had to hang onto their lead for the second game in a row.

However just as St Martins began to throw everyone forward Sandbach looked to counter attack them as Jordan Davies did brilliantly well to get down the left flank and as he got to the by-line he cut inside and found Knapper who fired the ball into the bottom left corner, completing his hat trick and putting the game beyond doubt.

United had made this game a lot harder than it should have been, despite having a man extra they struggled to keep the ball, if it wasn’t for some poor defending Sandbach wouldn’t have bagged the five goals.

Match Report: Jack Beresford.