News in Sandbach

Sandbach United were in dreamland after they ran out 7-0 winners over Eastwood Hanley with a week to go until the league season commences.

The Ramblers had lost their previous two friendlies against higher league opposition and were looking to get their pre-season back on track at home before their opening NWCFL fixture against Brocton FC.

Steve Jones was the hero for Sandbach as he scored twice in the final 10 minutes to see Sandbach run out 2-1 winners over Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Fresh from their opening pre-season victory over FC St Helens, the Ramblers looked to make it two wins from two as they faced fellow NWCFL side Wythenshawe Amateurs on a warm Cheshire evening.

A soaking wet evening marked the long overdue return of fans to Hind Heath Road as England University Sport won 3-0 over the hosting Sandbach United.

The ever-present defensive duo of Brad Cooper and Declan O'Riordan both kept their places in the starting eleven, with a tough ask of keeping out the best talent English Universities have to offer. However, the heavy rainfall and sodden pitch seemed to provide an adequate leveller to the playing field as both teams started cautiously.

A first half hat-trick from Bobbie McDonnell ensured Sandbach United won 5-2 and booked their ticket to the St Luke's Cup final.

Goalkeeper Danny Hamlett returned to the starting 11 after missing the previous cup match due to illness, whilst Callum Chapman replaced injured vice-Captain Adam Clayton. The Ramblers started the game knowing that bettering Skelmersdale's result against Winsford would confirm a place in the final, whilst a win would all but guarantee the same due to their strong goal difference.

A wet afternoon in Cheshire matched Sandbach moods after Winsford United won 4-2 at the Barton Stadium.

Ramblers' manager Andy Hockenhull was happy to welcome defender Kieran O'Connell back to the starting line-up following his absence in midweek, although first choice goalkeeper Danny Hamlett missed the trip through illness.

Robbie Hatton scored twice in three minutes as Sandbach ran out 4-1 winners over Winsford United at Hind Heath Road.

The Cheshire side came into the match in fine form after their 6-1 demolition of Skelmersdale United at the JMO Sports Park, and so Andy Hockenhull named a largely unchanged starting eleven for the evening kick-off. Two of the weekends' stars, Aaron Knight and Bobbie McDonnell, both kept their place.

A beautiful Saturday afternoon marked the perfect occasion for football, with sunshine glistening off the players shirts as they walked out for the second round of the St Luke's Cup in Northern Cheshire.

Andy Hockenhull had a lightened squad entering the match, with Robbie Hatton missing out again due to injury. Steve Jones, scorer in the 4-1 loss to Skelmersdale, was also absent along with tricky winger Kieran Garner-Knapper. Nevertheless, the plethora of defensive options allowed Hockenhull to deploy three central defenders at the start of the game, hoping to record their first Cup win at the second attempt.

GOAL-HUNGRY Curshaws have all but wrapped up the Crewe and District League title after compiling two more big wins.

The Sandbach-based side thrashed Crewe Town Reserves 7-1 and followed that up by winning a local derby clash with Sandbach Town by a 10-1 margin.

The Ramblers' inaugural match of the St. Luke's Cup ended in defeat to the visiting Skelmersdale United, with the NWCFL Premier side winning 4-1.

The beautiful sunshine warming the Hind Heath Road pitch was more than enough to set the mood for a great game of football; something 2021 has been sorely lacking around Sandbach.

DAVE Artell saluted the true grit shown by a much-changed team who battled to hold play-off chasing Portsmouth.

While Pompey's returning John Marquis saw his second-half penalty saved by Will Jaaskelainen and the striker also dollied a header into the Crewe keeper's arms before his miss from 12 yards, Crewe were a different prospect at the back after the weekend horror show at the hands of Oxford.