In what can only be described as Sandbach United’s best performance this season thus far (and possibly over the last few seasons) the Ramblers took on and beat a mid-table Alsager Town side in what used to be known as a fiercely competitive derby.

However the rivalry, which had previously caused a lot of great battles in the past between the two teams, had definitely lost some of its potency. With the Batch wrapping the match up in the first half by scoring an impressive 4 goals. This included a hattrick for our go to striker at the moment Bobbie Mcdonnell.

Do not let the lack of intensity from Alsager Town fool you into thinking that this was an easy 3 points for the away side. As Sandbach United pulled out some of the best football we have seen from the squad and from Andy Hockenhull’s coaching staff.

The first 45 minutes gave us excellent insight in how the team can play when we build from the back , battle in midfield and then add then create the magic from up top. This was evident as after the 3 minute mark when Aaron Knight was given the ball from midfield and dribbled passed two Alsager town defenders from the left wing and put it on a plate for Bobbie who scored. The McKnight link up working wonders once more.

It took only 5 minutes later for the second goal to come and it was another one of our creative front three to set up a chance. Robbie Hatton battled well to get the ball back and barged his way through 3 men to place the ball through to Aaron Knight who hit it to the side of the keeper and made it 2 goals to the good.

In the 17th minute we seemed to have an example of deja vu being played out before us as once again Aaron Kinight picks the ball from the midfield and without taking a second plays a searching ball to Bobbie who ran on to it and with pin point accuracy buried it into the bottom left corner giving the keeper no chance. Its 3 – 0 to the Ramblers and they weren’t finished there.

A shout out to Danny Hamlett who after not having much to do in the first 20 minutes was absolutely switched on when Alsager’s Mamudo Dabo sent a header destined for the top corner which in turn was met by a wonderful big hand from the big man and kept his clean sheet intact.

At one point it seemed like everything Sandbach touched turned to goals and this couldn’t be truer than our next goal in the 31st minute. A mix up at the back with Alsager Town allowed Bobbie to pick up the ball and run in to a straight 1 on 1 with their keeper. At that point there was only going to ever be one winner. Mcdonnell took the ball around the keeper and passed it into the open net. It was 4 to the Batch and that was the game wrapped up in the first 45 minutes.

The second half bought a much better Alsager side who swapped their formation and started to play some great passing football. If it weren’t for both Callum and Kallam as full backs their front 3 could have caused a lot of issues.

Another shout out needs to go to the battling midfield of Sean Moscrop , Chris Rowntree and Matty Pearson who both were the first line of defence against a threating Alsager side and initial creators of a lot of our attacking moves.

This side has shown growth from a tricky pre season and have learned from last seasons performances. There was never a doubt that the 4 goal lead would deteriorate. The CB partnership of Declan and Kieron made sure we weren’t about to see another West Didsbury and Chorlton moment.

A fully deserved win and another game highlighting why Sandbach United are currently top of the league.