Manager Declan Swan knew his side were entering the weekend fixture in good form, having battled to a 1-0 win on the road to Abbey Hulton in midweek following a 3-2 win against Abbey Hey. Stafford came into the game hovering 4 points above the relegation zone in 17th place, whilst Sandbach looked to strengthen their position in the playoff places.

After a fairly lacklustre start to proceedings on a wet Cheshire afternoon, the game sprung into life as Sandbach took the lead in the 16th minute. Robbie Hatton took aim from distance and forced goalkeeper Adam Jenkins into an awkward save before former Stafford striker Josh Oultram reacted first to nod in the rebound.

Three minutes later, Sandbach doubled their lead through the in-form Kieran Alley. A perfectly weighted defence-splitting pass from Stanley Tatters found the winger, who raced through on goal and slotted a confident finish into the bottom right corner.

Sandbach then scored their third goal in six minutes as full-back Callum Chapman got himself on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute. A Hatton cross was deflected away from Oultram and into the path of Chapman, who drilled a shot into the far corner leaving Jenkins with no chance.

It could have been four in the 43rd minute as a wicked strike from Hatton looked destined for the top left corner but was clawed away by an incredible one-handed save from Jenkins.

The Ramblers did get a fourth on the stroke of half-time, as a goal-bound Hatton shot was met by an exquisite flick from Tatters to wrongfoot Jenkins and roll into the net.

Only nine minute after the restart, Sandbach put any remote chances of a Stafford comeback well and truly to bed as Alley scored his second of the afternoon. After a lackadaisical defensive header back to Jenkins, Alley nipped in and poked the ball through the goalkeeper to put his side five goals ahead in 54 minutes.

Alley thought he had a hat-trick five minutes later as he found space in the Stafford box to drive a shot towards the bottom left corner, but an excellent block by the defender prevented the winger from sealing his third.

Two Sandbach substitutes combined for the home side’s sixth goal in the 75th minute, as a fantastic cross from Brian Barton was met by a powerful header into the bottom right corner by Harry Cain.

It was another substitute, Joshua Klein-Davies, who wrapped up the scoring in the 90th minute. A pinpoint cross from Cain was controlled excellently by the striker, who then calmly slotted a left-footed shot past the dive of Jenkins into the bottom right corner.

With their biggest win of the season, Sandbach remain in 4th place but extend their advantage over 5th placed Ellesmere Rangers to 9 points, after the Shropshire side lost out 4-1 to Cheadle Nomads. The Ramblers now turn their attention to hosting Eccleshall on Saturday 4th February.