After Sundays result, Sandbach Ladies still remain the only unbeaten team in the league so far this season and currently sit at the top of the table.

After their 4-1 victory against Manchester Rovers on the first of this month in the Cheshire Cup, Sandbach travelled away to face the team once again but this weekend, it was in the in league.

Manchester Rovers away is always a challenging game for the Ladies which is often played on a poorly kept council ran pitch, far from the smooth surfaces which the Sandbach team are used too.

However, this did not phase Sandbach as the team showed true resilience and strength to dig deep and get a hard earned win.

Manager Stephen Wright said: “Today was a fantastic result. Not many teams go there and get three points.

“I was definitely worried about this fixture but I was proven wrong.

“Despite travelling to Manchester with a single substitute, everybody on the pitch gave their all.

“Nobody gave up.

“Our fitness was key and this showed in the second half when Manchester started to tire.

The first goal of the game came inside ten minutes when centre midfielder Katie Smith attempted to cross the ball forward yet, the Rovers keeper was able to pick it up.

However, the keeper dropped the ball which is when Courtney Beeston chased it down and comfortably placed the ball in the back of the net.

With twenty minutes on the clock, Sandbach were awarded an indirect free kick on the edge of the box when a pass back was made between the Rovers keeper and a defender.

The ball was crossed in from the right and Ellie Buglass was able to have a shot on goal which was unluckily blocked by a Rovers defender.

However, the ball came back out and fell to defender Lucy Wright who was hanging at the back post who was able to then strike the ball into the back of the net.

After this, Rovers surprisingly managed to pull one back when the ball was played through on goal to a Rovers player who was able to comfortably put the ball into the back of the net.

Shortly after, Rovers managed to net another after a questionable ball was yet again played through on goal to a Rovers player who seemed to be in an offside position.

Despite this, the referee awarded the goal and pointed to the centre spot.

Two questionable goals.

However, Sandbach reacted well and in the 65th minute, Captain Shannon Moores comfortably netted her first goal of the game when the team were awarded a penalty in their favor after a Rovers hand ball.

Less than ten minutes later, Moores managed to net her second after Smith played the ball down the left channel where she was able to take a player on and strike the ball into the bottom left corner.

The last fifteen minutes saw Sandbach as the more dominant side continuing to create chances on goal and preventing Manchester Rovers from getting anywhere near their own.

With not long to go, Emma Landstrom at right back managed to pick out Moores upfront and crossed the ball brilliantly towards goal where the captain was able to control it on her left and drive the ball between the posts.

Everybody in the squad performed brilliantly and showed a mass amount of determination to get the three points.

Although Manchester Rovers did continue to press throughout the whole game, Sandbach deservedly came out on top.

Sandbach Ladies face Wythenshawe away from home this weekend and will be looking at comfortably grasping another three points.

Sandbach sit at the top of the table on 24 points in 10 games in front of competitors Macclesfield Town on 19 points and Brookvale on 16 points.

Sandbach United FC

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