SANDBACH UNITED (Sandbach Community Football Centre)

NORTH WEST COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, SANDBACH UNITED 2-1 CHEADLE TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 66

Today was one of those days that every groundhopper dreads as arctic conditions across Britain resulted in numerous postponements due to frozen pitches. This meant that there was a limited choice for me today, especially considering I couldn't travel too far due to the fact I was heading to a concert in the evening.

I was drifting into 'can't be bothered' territory when Sandbach tweeted that their game against Cheadle Town was definitely on. Despite being settled on the sofa watching 'Escape to Victory' on the television, I roused from my torpor and headed into Cheshire.

Sandbach United are newcomers to the North West Counties League this season, having joined from the Cheshire League in 2016. The club were founded as recently as 2004 when Sandbach Albion and Sandbach Ramblers joined forces in order to improve football facilities in the town. The club badge reflects this union with R & A shaking hands.

Their home is the Sandbach Community Football Centre, on the edge of the town, which was officially opened in 2012 and which cost around £2.2M to construct. There are numerous pitches in the complex (indeed there were other games taking place when I arrived) but the main pitch, on which the 1st team play, at the moment is surrounded by a wooden fence with a couple of wooden sheds behind one of the goals. There is nowhere to sit for the time being but this is being rectified in the very near future, as there is a stand on order.

The ground is pretty exposed and on a bitterly cold afternoon the opening half of the game did little to warm the cockles. Lots of perspiration but absolutely no inspiration. It was no shock that the half ended goalless.

The second half was much better, well it couldn't get any worse, and Cheadle took the lead after 48 minutes when a cross was turned into his own goal by Matt Pearson. From then on Cheadle took control of the game and missed some good chances to extend their lead but poor finishing and some good goalkeeping would prove their undoing.

After 75 minutes a corner was swung in and Boris Melingui headed home an equaliser for Sandbach. After that Cheadle simply imploded and the momentum swung in Sandbach's favour. Cheadle's No.8 was shown two yellow cards and against 10 men Sandbach found a winner in the 87th minute thanks to Jamie Morgan's finish. The was still time for another red card for Cheadle when their No.3 also received a second yellow as the game ended in ugly scenes.