1st Team
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Sat 17 Aug 2019  ·  First Division South
St Martins
2
3
Sandbach United FC
1st Team
St Martins 2-3 Sandbach United

St Martins 2-3 Sandbach United

Jack Beresford18 Aug 2019 - 21:07
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Sandbach get back to winning ways against St Martins

St Martins 2-3 Sandbach United

After back to back losses Sandbach were keen to get back to winning ways as they travelled to a St Martins team who had won every game that they had played in the league.

Sandbach got off to worst possible start as they conceded after just four minutes. A cross from the left that looked harmless was misjudged by the Sandbach keeper as he left because it he thought it was going into the side netting and away for a goal kick, however the ball hit his near post and then cannoned off Billy Buckley who knew nothing about it before rolling over the line. It was one of them freak goals that you seen on the those bloopers DVD’s. Sandbach had to get that one our of their system and the only saving grace for them was that there was still 85 minutes of the match to play.

Ten minutes later the home side came close again as Melusi controlled a precise switch of play from right to left. Melusi held the ball up well as he awaited the overlap of Easthorpe. Melusi then found Easthorpe who was allowed to drive towards the Sandbach goal as he cut in from the left, however as he got into the box he let fire but it unluckily whistled over the bar.

Sandbach had struggled to get a foot hold in the game, however after 20 minutes they scored against the run of play. Stuart Crilly found himself in space down the left side and he was able to find Kieran Garner-Knapper who used his pace to break the offside trap and get on the end of Crillys pass before placing into the bottom left corner past the on rushing keeper.

After equalising Sandbach has got themselves back into the game and they were looking strong and Knapper was causing issues for the home sides defence and ten minutes after scoring he drove at the defence before laying the ball off to Buckley on the edge of the box, but his first time strike was straight at the keeper.

Two minutes later Knapper was influential again as he used his pace to good effect once more as he got into the box before shooting, but the keeper saved with his legs, thankfully the ball fell back to Knapper’s feet who took another shot on goal but he don’t connect with it as well as he would have like and it dribbled across the face of goal, into the path of Adam Clayton who was on hand to tap home for his first goal since is return to the club in the summer. Sandbach has turned this game on its head, despite getting off to the worst possible start. United have shown resilience and real will power to get themselves in front.

At half time Sandbach were leading and they knew that the next goal was vital so when Billy Buckley drove down the left side and was then taken out in the box just to minutes into the second half. Sandbach thought they had their wish. Buckley dusted himself off and placed his penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and doubling Sandbach’s lead.

Sandbach we’re dominating the game and came close through Garner-Knapper once again as centre half Declan O’Riordan was allowed acres of space to take the ball up the field before passing to Knapper who was just inside the box, he shot from the right side but it was well saved by the keeper.

As sandbach we’re looking comfortable the home side we’re given a golden chance to get back into the game as Jack Hart tripped Jamie Hands in the box giving the home side a penalty. It was Hands who dusted himself down and took the penalty and much like Buckley’s penalty earlier on, Hands fires the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving his side an opportunity to salvage something from the game.

The momentum was with the home side now. A goal down and with still half an hour to go there was still plenty of time for them to grab an equaliser.

The job was made a lot easier for them as both Adam Clayton and Billy Buckley we’re issued ten minutes each in the sin bin which meant that for periods of the game Sandbach only had ten players on the pitch. As the clock ticked down it was getting nervy. Sandbach has thrown everything behind the ball to deal with the long balls that St Martins we’re putting into the box.

With ten minutes to go Sandbach had a major let off as two subs combined as Josh Brown crossed from the right and it was met by Brendon Price at the back post who headed the ball back across goal and off the top of the bar. He was inches away from scoring, but thankfully for Sandbach the woodwork came to their rescue.

The referee finally ended the game after playing 5 additional minutes and it was a massive win for Sandbach who has struggled in recent games but came out victors against a side who had a 100% winning record. Hopefully now Sandbach can kick on a get into a top four spot and make it there’s for the remainder of the season

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Aug 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

35

Competition

First Division South

League position

4
St Martins
10
Sandbach United
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