Report by Jay Rowland

An inspired Ramblers performance put promotion-hopefuls Cheadle Town to the sword in a 4-0 victory.

After exiting the FA Cup at the weekend to Midland Premier League side Walsall Wood, Sandbach manager Declan Swan lasered his focus purely onto the league campaign for his side, as the Ramblers are now out of all cup competitions.

Lewis Barker was unable to take part in Tuesday's evening fixture as he continues his limited minutes plan after recovering from a long-term injury, whilst dangerous forward Harry Cain also failed a late fitness test.

Captain Jordan Stafford was also unavailable, so Swan welcomed fullbacks Liam Fitzpatrick and Callum Chapman back to the starting line-up after their respective injury and suspension.

The match started at a blistering tempo, with Sandbach taking the lead after just six minutes. Following a foul on Stanley Tatters, Niall Cope delivered a stunning cross towards the back post met by the head of centre-back Louis Johnson, who powered an effort from close range past goalkeeper Joseph Latham for his first goal in Sandbach colours.

The fast-paced nature of the game continued throughout the half, but both defences stood firm and kept their goalkeepers mostly untroubled until the half-time whistle.

Cheadle started the second half strong, looking to find their way back into the game knowing they could climb to third in the league with a victory at Sandbach. However, the Ramblers defence were looking impervious and kept the Manchester side within arm's length.

Two red cards for the visitors in the space of two minutes drastically changed the match, as Tom Murray received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Robbie Hatton. After a melee ensued, the referee was in discussion with his assistant before showing Liam Moran a red card for violent conduct for his role in the aftermath.

Down to nine men, Cheadle looked to attempt to weather the Sandbach storm and potentially steal a goal on the break, but instead the Ramblers doubled their lead six minutes later.

Substitute Josh Oultram drove with the ball into the box before cutting a pass towards the edge of the box, finding an unmarked Cope who smashed an effort on his unfavoured left foot into the top right corner. It was a goal his play deserved, having been one of the standout performers of the match.

It felt from there like the floodgates were opening, and Sandbach got their third in the 87th minute through Chapman. After work good attacking play between Cope and Oultram, the latter spotted the run of Chapman at the far post and picked him out with a superb low cross, which the defender finished off via a touch from Latham.

Fellow substitute Brian Barton, who came out of retirement mere weeks ago to help bolster the Ramblers squad, got his first goal since his return deep into stoppage time. After seeing a header correctly disallowed for offside moments before, he timed his run perfectly to beat a jaded Cheadle defence before lifting his shot past Latham into the far side of the goal to jubilant celebrations.

As the full-time whistle blew, Sandbach came off the pitch to applause from the fans as they climbed three places with that victory, now in 7th place ahead of a crucial away fixture at 3rd-placed Ellesmere Rangers.