Sandbach United V Barnton and Eccleshall by Sandbach United FC

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2018/19 SEASON

Price Â£1

Wednesday 26th & Saturday 29th December 2018 KO 3pm

Hallmark Security League Division 1 South

CLUB DETAILS Club Name : Sandbach United Football Club Legal Entity : Unincorporated Ground : Sandbach Community Football Centre Address : Hind Heath Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3LZ Telephone : 01270 768389 County Affiliation : Cheshire FA Year Formed : 2004 Record Attendance : 1400 v Crewe Alexandra Legends (2014/15) Previous Leagues : Staffordshire County Senior League, Cheshire League Honours : Crewe & District Cup winners 2015/16, NWCFL Division 1 (Reusch Cup) Finalists 2016/17

MEDIA Website : http://www.sandbachunitedfc.co.uk Twitter : @SandbachUtd & @SandbachFC_1st Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Sandbachutd

CLUB COLOURS Home colours : Blue/White shirts, Blue shorts and stockings Home goalkeeper colours : Green shirt, Black shorts and stockings Alternative Colours : Maroon shirts, shorts and stockings Alternative goalkeeper colours : Yellow shirt, Black shorts and stockings

CLUB CONTACTS Club Chairman : Paul Reel Club Secretary : Will Newton 1st Team Secretary : John Clayton Programme Editor : Jack Beresford Head Steward : Roy Lane Manager : Andrew Hockenhull Assistant Manager: Junior Brown Coaches: Roy Lane, Tony Ledwards Goalkeeper Coach: Andrew Kimber Executive Committee : Paul Reel, Mike Senior, Ian Dolman, Will Newton, Darren Williams, Peter Colclough, Sandra Buckle

SANDBACH UNITED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CLUB HISTORY Sandbach United Football Club was established in 2004 when Sandbach Albion and Sandbach Ramblers joined forces in their quest to improve the football facilities in Sandbach. Hence the R & A on the club badge. In January 2004, the membership of Sandbach Albion and Sandbach Ramblers voted in favour of amalgamation, with the aim of playing as a single club from the start of the 2004/5 season. Sandbach Albion was formerly known as Hays Junior Football Club and was founded in 1994, playing on the pitches of what was then Albion Chemicals. As health and safety issues became more prevalent in the 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, they left that site and for 5 years the senior home ground was at Sandbach Cricket Club. The younger sides played their games at junior schools throughout Sandbach. Sandbach Ramblers Youth Football Club was formed in 1995 to provide access to schoolboy football for the youth of Sandbach. Of course there had been a Ramblers team in the town before, Sandbach Ramblers were initially formed over 100 years ago, playing in the Cheshire County League and winning the Cheshire FA Senior Cup in 1914, before folding in 1975 reforming in 1979 and disbanding in the late 1980s.

SANDBACH UNITED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CLUB HISTORY In 2006 Sandbach United formed the adult team, which initially competed in the Crewe and District League before moving to the Staffordshire Senior League First Division and then being promoted to the Premier Division for the 2008/9 season. In 2011, the club was awarded grants by the Football Foundation and the local council of over ÂŁ2 million to build a 3G pitch and 9 grass pitches, together with changing rooms and an education facility. The Sandbach Community Football Centre was opened early in the 2011/12 season. United switched to the Cheshire League in 2011 and won promotion to the Premier Division for the 2013/14 season before moving to The Hallmark Security League for the 2016/17 season. The clubs first season in the Hallmark Security League was better than they could have dreamt, winning the Macron Club of the Month in December, finishing in 6th place and the playoffs in Division 1 as well as being Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Runners up. Their goal keeper, Ryan Moss also collected two Reusch Keeper of the Month awards. In another first for the club, the 2017/18 season saw the club enter The FA Vase with a home 2nd Qualifying Round fixture against AFC Emley. The club has over 600 players and 40+ teams that operate from its Hind Heath Road base. United have teams playing in the Mid-Cheshire Youth League, and the Cheshire Girls League among others, and the age range covers adults and veterans teams right down to Soccer School for Reception and Year 1 children.

Barnton FC – CLUB HISTORY Barnton Football Club was founded in 1946 and in 1948 became a founder member of the Mid-Cheshire League. They played in that league (renamed the Cheshire Association Football League in 2007) until 2014, and at that time were one of only two clubs to have been in the league throughout its 66-year history, the other being Knutsford. Barnton won the league on eleven occasions, including seven consecutive league titles between 1996–97 and 2002–03. The pinnacle of the club's success came with winning the National League Systems Cup while representing the Mid-Cheshire League in the inaugural competition of 2003–04. They beat West Cheshire, Liverpool Combination and South Western League opposition along the way before defeating the Cambridgeshire County League 2–0 on their home soil in the final . As a result of this they went on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Slovenia and Bosnia where they won four, drew one and lost one of their games, narrowly failing to reach the final stages of the competition. The club also participated in the FA Cup on two occasions (1948–49 and 1949–50) and the FA Vase in 1985–86, although they failed to progress further than the extra preliminary round on each occasion. The club submitted an application to join the North West Counties Football League for the start of the 2014–15 season. They were successful in their application and their place in the newly formed Division One was confirmed on 29 May. A few days later, Andy Burgess was appointed as the club's new manager, with Ian Ross stepping down to concentrate on his role as chairman. However, Burgess left the club by mutual consent in November and forward Colin Quirk was placed in temporary charge. Within a week Allan Glover was appointed as the new manager, but he was succeeded by Leon Knight in March 2015. The club finished seventh in their inaugural season in the North West Counties Football League, just outside the Division One Play-Off places.

Barnton FC – CLUB HISTORY During Barnton’s second season in the First Division, the club accepted Leon Knight’s resignation as manager in early March, and appointed Danny Meadowcroft as interim manager until the end of the season. The team then went on to lift the Reusch First Division Cup and also gained promotion to the North West Counties League Premier Division by beating Bacup Borough in the Division One Play-Off Final. The club then said goodbye to Ian Ross who stepped down as Barnton chairman after four years, and the management team also moved on to pastures new. In May 2016, Steve Lloyd and Mike Alcock took over as Barnton’s new management team, with Tim Burton as the new chairman. After a promising start to the campaign, the team then picked up just one point from twelve matches to find themselves firmly in the bottom three. However, some quality additions to the squad in autumn sparked a revival, and the Villagers ended 2016/17 comfortably clear of the relegation zone. Despite picking up points from some hard-earned drawn games early in 2017/18, Barnton had to wait until November for their first league win, which came away at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Unsurprisingly, the team were firmly ensconced in the relegation places for the remainder of the campaign, with the second win only arriving at fellow strugglers AFC Darwen in March. The inevitable demotion was confirmed shortly afterwards, although the team did manage to win a further two games once the pressure was off to eventually finish second bottom. In 2018/19 Barnton will play in the newly-created First Division South of the North West Counties League, and under a new management team. Steve Lloyd has moved up to become chairman, with Mike Alcock joining him on the senior committee. James McShane takes over the reins as player-manager, and will be ably assisted by Garry Moore, Liam Page and Adam Judge.

Eccleshall â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CLUB HISTORY There has been football in the town of Eccleshall for over 100 years but very little archive material is available from those early years. However, we do know that Eccleshall Football Club was reformed in 1971 with the team being made up of locals and staff from the Eccleshall Secondary School which also provided training and playing facilities. At that time the club was called Eccleshall Old Boys Football Club. In 1974, the team won their first trophies; the Mid-Staffs 3rd Division Cup and were also runners-up in that division, gaining promotion to Division 2. Old Boys was dropped from the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and in 1979 the first team joined the Staffordshire County League (North) and a third team was formed. In 1981, with the help of grants, fund raising and a loan, a four-acre field was purchased at Pershall. Manager Ted Dickinson was the driving force behind the fund raising. In the same year, the first team moved into the Premier Division of the Staffordshire County League (North). Work began converting the field into a football ground. In 1982, a building was purchased from British Telecom and, with a lot of hard work over the next couple of years on the building, car park and pitch, Pershall Park, as it was christened, was ready. In the 1983-84 season the first team won the Staffs County League Premier Division Championship, the Premier Division Cup and the May Bank Cup. During the 1989-90 season the first team won the Staffordshire Senior League title and the 1990-91 season saw the club entering the F.A. Vase for the first time. In 1991-92, the club reached the FA Vase 2nd round having gone through all the preliminary stages but lost at home to Wisbech Town 2-0 in front of a then record crowd of 368.

Eccleshall – CLUB HISTORY The first team fared well in the league in the mid 90’s, finishing 3rd (97-98), 6th (98-99), 2nd (99-00) and 3rd (00-01). Eccleshall reserves won the Staffs County League (North) in 1999-2000. The reserves moving to the West Midlands (Regional) Division One (North) for the start of the following season. In 2001-2002 season, the first team won the Springbank Vending Midland League Championship. In 2002-2003 Eccleshall’s first team joined the NWCFL after securing both the Springbank Vending Midland League title and Staffordshire FA Vase. In probably the most successful season in the club’s history, our second team were Staffordshire County League champions and our under 18s won the Sentinel Cup. For good measure, our under 16s won the Staffordshire FA County Cup, the Mid-Staffordshire League Cup and the Sentinel Shield. Regarding the Sentinel competitions, the last time a club had won both trophies in the same season had been some twenty five years previously – a great achievement. The 2012-13 season marked the completion of 10 years in the NWCFL and saw the club achieve its highest ever placing of sixth in the NWCFL. In the 2017- 18 season our Under17s had a very successful season, winning the Potteries Junior Youth League Cup, Staffordshire FA Youth Cup and finishing runners up in the league. Over the years since 1981-82, significant work has been undertaken to develop both the ground and the facilities to the standard which the club now enjoys. This includes enclosing the ground, the installation of floodlights, building a covered seated stand and pitch levelling. Last season the clubhouse was refurbished and upgraded with the addition of a treatment room and a security system. Prior to the 2018/19 season, a new kitchen and refreshments bar was added. Further developments are planned for the future. All of this has been achieved by a strong management team behind the scenes, a number of which have given many years of service to Eccleshall FC and the addition of new members who are helping to take the club forward.

Last time we met: Alsager Town 0 Sandbach United 2

Jack Beresford reports

Sandbach travelled to Wood Park for the second time this season, this time it was in the third round of the 1st Division Cup. Sandbach were dealt a blow in the week after top scorer James Kirby completed his move to Northern Premier league side Atherton Collieries, however Sandbach were quick to bring in a replacement as they announced the signing of Yaw Osei Opoku-Berchie, a player who has played for teams like Reading and Raith Rovers. Kirby has scored the majority of the goals for Sandbach, but Tuesdays result against St Martins shows that they can score goals without his presence, as Kieran Garner-Knapper scored a hat trick, however he was helped by the creativeness of Jordan Davies. Davies came closed to putting United into the lead after just nine minutes on Saturday as winger Aidan Haughton showed a good turn of pace of pace to get to the by line before cutting in onto his right foot and crossing towards the back post to Davies. The Welshman met the ball with a powerful header, but the keeper acrobatically tipped It over the bar. The first half was a difficult watch for all, the game lacked chances and the pitch wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t helping Sandbach as the surface was preventing them from passing the ball around, they were resorting to playing the ball over the top and allowing the pace of their front men to run onto it. With 15 minutes of the half left this style of play seemed to work for Sandbach as Davies latched onto a long ball and looked to send in a cross from the right, however the cross was blocked but it fell into the path of Pearson who was inside the box, he then got to the by-line and sent in a low cross right across the face of goal which was met by Haughton at the near post who fired the ball into the top right corner giving Sandbach a deserved lead.

At half time Sandbach had the lead but the game was all to play for in the second half. Eight minutes into the second half Sandbach came very close to doubling the lead as Davies drove into to the box before unleashing a shot that was heading for the top right corner but Rhys Bills in the Alsager goal stuck out a hand and superbly pushed it around the post. Sandbach were piling on the pressure and they came close once more after sixty minutes when a cross from the right was met by a stooping header from Haughton, but it was yet again saved superbly by the goalkeeper. Sandbach were looking to put the game beyond doubt and they came very close once again as a misspaced pass from centre back Kris Stockton found Jordan Davies who then muscled his way into the box before shooting towards the near post, but unfortunately it hit the right post and then rolled across the face of the goal before being cleared away. Somehow it was still 1-0, and Sandbach really couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find the goal to double their lead, with 15 minutes to go they had their best chance of the game as Davies sprayed the ball out to the right side to Knapper who sent in a deep cross towards Dean Twigg at the back post but he fired his shot from six yards out into the ground and over the bar, he really should have put the game beyond doubt for his team. The game was fizzling out, Alsager had the odd counter attack but they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do enough to trouble Ryan Moss in the Sandbach goal.

Just as the game was reaching its climax, Sandbach put the game beyond doubt. Sandbach won a freekick in the opposition half and it was taken quickly by captain Josh Lane, he found Opoku-Berchie inside the box who looked to bend the ball towards the far post with his right foot, however it was saved by the keeper but the rebound feel to Garner-Knapper who was on hand to continue his fine goalscoring form as he tapped the ball home, into the empty net sending Sandbach into the next round.

SANDBACH UNITED 1ST TEAM WOULD LIKE TO THANK

Last time out: Stockport Town 1 Sandbach United 2

Jack Beresford reports

Shots

7 5 2 1

On Target

Corners

5 Yellow Cards

Sandbach conceded after four minutes in Saturday, however this time they went one better and conceded after three minutes! Elliot Ledwards was dispossessed in his own half by Callum Dolan, who was then allowed to drive through the middle of the midfield on his way into the box, he then curled a left footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, past Ryan Moss who was at full stretch but couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get near it. Sandbach have been guilty of conceding some poor and needless goals in recent weeks, so to concede in the fashion that they did would have frustrated Sandbach manager Andy Hockenhull who must be sick of seeing his side concede early goals. Callum Dolan was causing the Sandbach defence some real concern. The former Man United scholar almost helped his team double their lead as he got to the by-line down the left wing and sent in a low cross towards the back post, the ball cannoned off Ledwards and somehow went over the bar and out for a corner. United were very lucky to only be one down, Dolan came close again as he looked to find the far right corner with his right foot, but Ryan Moss was on hand to tip the ball around the post and out for a corner. Sandbach were really struggling to find their feet in the first half, but eventually they had their first shot on target with just 5 minutes of the half to go as Billy Buckley who was making his return to the starting eleven played a superb ball in behind to Jordan Davies who found himself in on goal, he got into the box and looked to find the bottom right corner of the goal from the left side of the box but it was brilliantly saved by the keeper who palmed it away to safety.

At half time Sandbach found themselves a goal down with It all to play for in the second half. The second half began, and both sides knew that the next goal would be vital, for Stockport it would double their lead and give Sandbach a mountain to climb, but if Sandbach were to score they would be level and then theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have the momentum to go on and score another. With half an hour of the game to go it was Sandbach who scored the allimportant second goal for the game as Aaron Knight glided through the Stockport midfield before shooting towards the bottom right corner, however Andrei Stinca made a save but he parried it into the path of Davies who was on hand to tap home the rebound, levelling the scores for his side. With a third of the match still to go the game was very much in the balance, however five minutes later Sandbach had ever-reliable keeper Ryan Moss to thank for keeping the scores level as Skeltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deflected pass fell into the path of Mottram who found himself in a lot of space on the edge of the box, he got into the box and looked to place the ball into the bottom right corner but somehow Moss managed to deflect the ball onto the bar and away to safety, it was a stunning save from the Sandbach keeper. Sandbach were pushing to find the winner and they came agonisingly close in the 77th minute as a deep free kick was sent into the box and met by Davies who saw his header loop over the keeper, but it bounced off the bar and eventually went out for a goal kick. The away side finally made their pressure count as they took the lead with ten minutes to go as good work down the left from Knight allowed him to send in an in-swinging cross towards Davies at the back post who got in front of his man and managed to poke the ball past the keeper and into the bottom the left corner.

The Stockport defence were adamant that Davies had come from an offside position but the referee ignored their appeals and allowed the goal to stand. Sandbach managed to hold on for the last ten minutes to earn themselves a valuable three points against a very good Stockport side.

SANDBACH UNITED 2018/19 STAFF ANDY HOCKENHULL Manager

DONNY BROWN Assistant Manager

ANDY KIMBER Goalkeeper Coach

ROY LANE Coach

TONY LEDWARDS Coach

CHRIS CADMAN Match Announcer

JACK BERESFORD Media

SANDBACH UNITED 2018/19 SQUAD RYAN MOSS Sponsored by Syd Thompson

BEN CADMAN

ELLIOT LANE

RYAN ALLCOCK

HARRISON BOSTOCK

BILLY BUCKLEY

JAKE CHADWICK

ADAM CLAYTON

BRAD COOPER

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SANDBACH UNITED 2018/19 SQUAD KIERAN GARNERKNAPPER

AIDAN HAUGHTON

JAMES KIRBY

JOSH LANE