26th January 2019 - Stone Dominoes 0 v 6 Sandbach Utd - Myself and my good lady rose early after a poxy night's sleep (what's new), got sorted in double quick time and hit the road to Staffordshire. 2 walks were indulged in prior to the match, one at Aqualate Mere NR and the other at Loynton Moss NR. They helped the blood flow, kept us intrigued and brought us a nice variety of bird and fungi species with a few extras thrown in. We duly arrived at Wellbeing Park, had a cuppa (plus a sausage bap for me) and chatted with a few keen folk who help keep the wheels turning and this Non-League game alive. A bonus came when I nipped for a pre-match piddle and spotted two luscious Herald Moths hibernating in the men's urinals and then picked out a Great Spotted Woodpecker whilst nattering to a photographer. We duly paid our dues, entered the ground proper and took up a good viewing point. The weather had been fair all morning but soon after the ball got rolling things turned to utter shit (in more ways than one for the home side).
The teams appeared, the kick off was had and a raffle ticket purchased. After passing coin for numbered ticket I raised my head and saw the home No 4 (Unimana Emanwell) get his jockstrap in a twist, make a serious error that allowed No 6 (Christopher Rowntree) to find space, fire and open his teams account. It wasn't the start the hosts wanted but they brushed themselves down and tried mighty hard to dig in and create a chance of their own. They cultivated a few hopeful crosses but were eventually caught with their trousers down as Sandbach raced away on the break and tore the Doms a new arsehole. A shot came, a corner was the outcome, the sequence was duly repeated with the third angled hoof coming. The globe entered the box, was scrambled clear before Sandbach charged, No 8 (Billy Buckley) entered territory 'danger' and got clattered for his troubles. The referee had no doubts and gave a penalty and issued a yellow card for good measure. The penalty was taken by No 9 (Josh Lane) and 'twat' - 0 - 2 it was.
As a Kestrel hovered in the distant murk, Sandbach hawked for the open flesh of the hurting home team. Lane rasped in a grass searing cross that screamed out for the killer touch but the arriving No 11 (Kevin Garner-Knapper) was a little to late to grab his own slice of glory. Defensively the home team were being dragged all ways, the trouser belt needed tightening to keep the rear end in position and prevent further leakage. As the half advanced the Heavenly leakage grew in miserable stature and added to the hosts woes, it was looking to be a very long afternoon in situation 'impossible'. As Stone tried to force matters Sandbach broke again. A sugar-sweet ball over the top found Lane who knocked in to No 7 (Ryan Allcock) who had a crack just shy of the vertical. Lane had a shot of his own next, again wide of the mark and then he was assisted by Allcock who executed a neat turn and touch that allowed his partner in crime to boom over - the next goal was on the cards and there was only one way it was going. Eventually the strike did come with a solid cross coming and Garner-Knapper sticking out a relaxed peg and nonchalantly volleying home. It was a strike awash with simplicity - it was all too easy!
Into the final chuck of the half, No 2 (Matt Peason) for the guests worked the flank, the cross had pinpoint accuracy, Allcock steamed in and forced the keeper to make a sound block. The Stone Dominoes responded, a corner was put in and dealt with and then a breakaway saw things end with a shot that was all too tame. To show how things were done the visitors raced forth, 1 pass, 2 pass, bang - Allcock had his goal, things were now getting silly. Before the break several more chances came for Sandbach and the team could have added to their balance, Allcock and Lane guilty of not being truly ruthless - as it was the score stayed at 0 - 4 - crikey!
We stayed put for half-time, the rain was lashing down so we munched a few Skittles and awaited the re-emergence of the contenders. The winning team ran out with a spring in the step, the trailing side looked to be carrying a world of worry on their saturated shoulders - a tale of two emotions to say the least.
The game restarted, Sandbach had an early dig that warmed the home keepers hands and then Lane and Buckley had shots the same way, the first too high, the second straight at the overworked goalie. The match now developed into a situation that saw the hosts scrambling for any shitty scraps, the visitors too keen and snatching at the scrotum of success without accuracy (ooh me perineum). Another punt came at the home goal, the No 1 (Reece Quinn) dove and saved mighty well low in the corner and then a penalty shout was had not long after but the referee showed his Christian nature and spared The Doms any further suffering. 2 subs for United came, No 15 (Aidan Haughton) and Rowntree linked up soon after with the latter player once more failing to hit the target. The game continued to roll one way with Sandbach producing a good passing sequence in and around that box that was finalised by Allcock who sent in a shit-scraper along the sodden deck and found the bottom corner - it had been coming!
From here shots aplenty came, all at the exasperated home mittman. No 14 (Tom Williams) put one at the keeper and then a shot from No 10 (Harry Cain) was deflected upwards and fell to Rowntree who buried without fuss. Over the course of the closing minutes 7 more shots came, several wide or over, a couple dealt with by the gloved guardian. The guests were running riot - there could have been so many other strikes and Stone looked dead on their feet. The referee eased their wretchedness soon after, the teams walked off and I pondered the Man of the Match. For me, Sandbach United's No 7 (Ryan Allcock) deserves the nod for incessant industry, good turf coverage, two goals and some eye-catching creativity that will surely serve him well in his footballing endeavours. We headed home soon after, 6 goals under the belt and January done and dusted with a one way rampage witnessed.
FINAL THOUGHT - Today we both expected an away win, and after chatting to a fine Sandbach fan in the car park prior to the match I thought my 1 - 4 prediction over generous. As it turned out it was a humble forecast and was a long way away from reflecting what went on during the match. Stone Dominoes have a great set up, tis a lovely ground and was a joy to visit and yes, we shall return. On the pitch though they were in disarray with communication non-existent that duly led to too many stray passes and a lack of options when in possession. The work rate though was good, they played the full 90 minutes and for me, despite this thumping and finding themselves in a lowly league position, with a good barking general in their midst, everyone hollering and working as a supportive unit they could, just could, turn things around. It won't be easy, but why should it be - I hope they can do it! Sandbach United are a good, consistent squad and today, with the spite and ruthless streak of an aroused assassin could have easily brought up the double figure mark. The North West Counties First Division South is an enthralling contest, there are only 9 points separating the top 8 teams, with Sandbach right in the mix. It could come down to goal difference, even though they scored 6 today I think Sandbach realised they could have had a whole lot more. They play good quick football, talk and encourage and will be in at the end - what a mad season this is and only a fool would place a wager and bet against Sandbach United pinching this one at the death - keep watching this space folks, oh what lucky peeps we are!
Into the final chuck of the half, No 2 (Matt Peason) for the guests worked the flank, the cross had pinpoint accuracy, Allcock steamed in and forced the keeper to make a sound block. The Stone Dominoes responded, a corner was put in and dealt with and then a breakaway saw things end with a shot that was all too tame. To show how things were done the visitors raced forth, 1 pass, 2 pass, bang - Allcock had his goal, things were now getting silly. Before the break several more chances came for Sandbach and the team could have added to their balance, Allcock and Lane guilty of not being truly ruthless - as it was the score stayed at 0 - 4 - crikey!
We stayed put for half-time, the rain was lashing down so we munched a few Skittles and awaited the re-emergence of the contenders. The winning team ran out with a spring in the step, the trailing side looked to be carrying a world of worry on their saturated shoulders - a tale of two emotions to say the least.
The game restarted, Sandbach had an early dig that warmed the home keepers hands and then Lane and Buckley had shots the same way, the first too high, the second straight at the overworked goalie. The match now developed into a situation that saw the hosts scrambling for any shitty scraps, the visitors too keen and snatching at the scrotum of success without accuracy (ooh me perineum). Another punt came at the home goal, the No 1 (Reece Quinn) dove and saved mighty well low in the corner and then a penalty shout was had not long after but the referee showed his Christian nature and spared The Doms any further suffering. 2 subs for United came, No 15 (Aidan Haughton) and Rowntree linked up soon after with the latter player once more failing to hit the target. The game continued to roll one way with Sandbach producing a good passing sequence in and around that box that was finalised by Allcock who sent in a shit-scraper along the sodden deck and found the bottom corner - it had been coming!
From here shots aplenty came, all at the exasperated home mittman. No 14 (Tom Williams) put one at the keeper and then a shot from No 10 (Harry Cain) was deflected upwards and fell to Rowntree who buried without fuss. Over the course of the closing minutes 7 more shots came, several wide or over, a couple dealt with by the gloved guardian. The guests were running riot - there could have been so many other strikes and Stone looked dead on their feet. The referee eased their wretchedness soon after, the teams walked off and I pondered the Man of the Match. For me, Sandbach United's No 7 (Ryan Allcock) deserves the nod for incessant industry, good turf coverage, two goals and some eye-catching creativity that will surely serve him well in his footballing endeavours. We headed home soon after, 6 goals under the belt and January done and dusted with a one way rampage witnessed.
FINAL THOUGHT - Today we both expected an away win, and after chatting to a fine Sandbach fan in the car park prior to the match I thought my 1 - 4 prediction over generous. As it turned out it was a humble forecast and was a long way away from reflecting what went on during the match. Stone Dominoes have a great set up, tis a lovely ground and was a joy to visit and yes, we shall return. On the pitch though they were in disarray with communication non-existent that duly led to too many stray passes and a lack of options when in possession. The work rate though was good, they played the full 90 minutes and for me, despite this thumping and finding themselves in a lowly league position, with a good barking general in their midst, everyone hollering and working as a supportive unit they could, just could, turn things around. It won't be easy, but why should it be - I hope they can do it! Sandbach United are a good, consistent squad and today, with the spite and ruthless streak of an aroused assassin could have easily brought up the double figure mark. The North West Counties First Division South is an enthralling contest, there are only 9 points separating the top 8 teams, with Sandbach right in the mix. It could come down to goal difference, even though they scored 6 today I think Sandbach realised they could have had a whole lot more. They play good quick football, talk and encourage and will be in at the end - what a mad season this is and only a fool would place a wager and bet against Sandbach United pinching this one at the death - keep watching this space folks, oh what lucky peeps we are!
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