Defeat at Sandbach in top-of-table clash

The mighty Bilston Town travelled to Sandbach United for a top-of-the-table clash that promised a better game than it ultimately delivered.

The Bilston supporters once again turned up in numbers, and were almost treated to an early goal after Harry Dixon wriggled free of his marker in the second minute. His shot was strong, but the Sandbach keeper did well to get down low and save it with his right hand.

The next twenty minutes saw both teams cancel each other out, with some strong defending meaning neither side had a real sniff at goal. 

It was Sandbach who were arguably applying a little more pressure mid-way through the first half, although a tough challenge on Bilston goalkeeper James Crump saw the game stopped for a short time as he received treatment. 

The rest of the half was stop-start, with the referee blowing for several fouls that disrupted the rhythm of play for both sides.

Sandbach went close a couple more times before half time, with Nathan Guest heading one attempt off the line, and another Sandbach header looping just wide. 

The second half started in a similar vein, with both teams scrapping for superiority. Bilston had an early corner that didn’t quite come to anything, and Sandbach had an attempt that was nicely caught by Crump. 

Bilston started to put together some nice play after 55 minutes, with the pressure leading to a couple of corners as well as two long range efforts from captain Haydn Hall. 

A couple of inspired substitutions seemed to swing the game back in Sandbach’s favour, with their number 18 flashing a shot just wide after 65 minutes. 

The same striker unleashed a thumping shot off the bar a few minutes later, and Crump had to be alert to make a smart save from the rebound. 

Dave King clearly felt changes were needed at this point, with Finn Syson and an unusually quiet Sam Cudjoe Yankson making way for Luke Carter and Jordan Crump. 

The Sandbach goal came in the 83rd minute with a well-worked move down their right hand side eventually seeing a nicely placed shot nestle just inside the bottom corner. 

Bilston’s response was positive and the team came forward with renewed urgency, applying some pressure to the well drilled Sandbach defence. 

Callum Bright came closest to scoring for Bilston in the dying minutes of the game, but he couldn’t quite set himself and the ball was cleared away. 

The final whistle blew not long after a clash between Jordan Crump and their goalkeeper, and it was Sandbach who came away with the three points. 

Final score: Sandbach United 1 – Bilston Town 0. 

Richard’s Man of the Match – Darragh Bustin

John’s Man of the Match – Haydn Hall