Maine Road 1-2 Sandbach United

Sandbach travelled to a bitterly cold Brantingham Road for their rearranges fixture against Maine Road on Monday night.

Sandbach really should have taken the lead after just two minutes as left winger Robbie Hatton got into the box before being tackled but he then recycled the play by finding Aaron Knight on the edge of the box who showed quick feet before feeding Hatton down the left side who cut inside and looked to curl the ball past the keeper but Conrad Betton in the Maine Road goal was on hand to save, however all he could do was palm it into the path of Tom Williams who had plenty of time in the box but his first time shot missed the target.

Eight minutes later it was the hosts turn to come close as Jamie Hill was allowed to race down the left before cutting into the box and finding Jack Coop on the edge of the box who took a touch and fired low but it fizzed just wide of Booths left post.

Five minutes later the home side made their pressure count as they took the lead. Once again the dangerous Jamie Hill was given way too much space and time down the left side to send in a low cross to Coop who was unmarked in the box, Coop was able to make some space for the shot before firing into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 to his side.

Since going a goal down Sandbach looked disorganised and they had to somehow get themselves back into the game. Jamie Hill was causing United all sorts of problems, his pace and directness was making him very hard to defend against. The winger showed his class once more as he burst down the left side before sending a low cross that was cleared by Oli Jepson, the clearance however fell straight to Jamie Roe on the edge of the box who fires low and just wide of the left post.

Sabdbach we’re being dominated and then had to find a way to get back into the game. That’s when Robbie Hatton stepped up. He picked up the ball down the right side before doing outside his man, and then unleashing a rocket from just outside the box that arrowed into the top right corner leaving the keeper with no chance. It was always going to take something special to get Sandbach back into the game and that goal from Hatton certainly fell into the “special category”.

Two minutes later Hatton almost added a quick fire second as he crashed a close range shot off the bar. Sandbach looked a lot better after they equalised, they seemed to have a spring in their step.

Sandbach we’re looking good to take the lead before the break, first half substitute Kieran Knapper has two brilliant chances get himself a goal. The first chance came from Robbie Hatton’s shot being saved from the left side. The rebound fell to Knapper who seemed to have all the space in the world down the right side. As he drive towards goal he took one touch too many and when he eventually took aim the angle was too tight and the keeper saved easily. Moments later Hatton and knapper almost linked up again as Hatton’s deep cross from the left was perfect for Knapper but he was stuck in two minds whether to use his feet or is head, ultimately he did neither and waste a good chance for United.

At half time Sandbach has improved and we’re looking the better of the two sides, however without Hatton’s wonder goal it could have been a very different half for United.

The second half began with Sandbach once again looking the more dominant of the more dominant of the two sides.

In the 58th minute United made their dominance pay as first half goal scorer Robbie Hatton drove down the left side before being bundled down in the box. The referee showed no hesitation when pointing to the spot. Hatton dusted himself down and stepped up for United. He slotted his penalty into the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving Sandbach the lead.

Despite not having many opportunities in the second half Maine Road looked quick on the counter attack, as they got in behind the Sandbach defence in the 68th minute the linesman looked to flag for offside, however much to the bemusement of the Sandbach players who had stopped playing, the referee told the official to put his flag down and told the players to carry on. Maine Road has carried on playing and they suddenly found themselves in on goal , thankfully for Sandbach Sam Booth was alert and on hand to save a close range shot and keep his side in the game.

With 13 minutes Sandbach we’re still leading, however you felt like Maine Road could still Knick an equaliser late on as they were looking dangerous going forward. Sandbach had to grab another goal to double their lead and make the game save. Kieran Knapper had a great opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, as he cut was playing in behind he was forced wide by the defender, but he brilliantly turned his man and then cut inside from the left before shooting, unfortunately for him he couldn’t cap off his brilliant run with a goal as he dragged his shot wide of the near post.

Sandbach were killing the game, their game management was exceptional. The we’re keeping the possession nicely and then taking it to the corner to try and run down the clock. Eventually the game ended and Sandbach could celebrate what was a very hard fought 3 points. They all showed fantastic desire and fit to grind out the win against a very good side.