Eccleshall travelled to top-four Sandbach United hoping to build on Tuesday night’s win at Stockport Georgians. With Jordan Darlington injured, manager Liam Kelly drafted in new signing Matthew France and Ryan Malbon, returning from injury, was on the bench.

Sandbach were quick out of the blocks and Niall Cope had an effort wide of the post before a Josh Oultram back-heel was collected by Eagles keeper Aaron Woolrich. A further effort by Liam Fitzpatrick was deflected for a corner by Oliver Hickman. On 27 minutes, the home side took the lead when Cope let fly from distance and his shot found the top corner, leaving Woolrich with little chance. In reply, a Jordan Flattley free kick was held by United’s keeper Eric Merner before a cross from the right was headed just wide with Woolrich beaten. On 37 minutes, Chris Boast ran clear after a superb through ball from Hickman caught out Rory Roberts and, although Merner saved his initial shot, he recovered to fire home. Unbelievably, he was flagged offside and even the home side didn’t appeal, but the goal was chalked off. Minutes later, Eagles were reduced to ten men when the referee’s assistant spotted an infringement by Hickman and, after consultation by referee Taylor, he was sent off. With half time approaching, Sandbach’s Stanley Tatters was well wide with a shot.
HT: Sandbach United 1 Eccleshall 0

Eccleshall’s task was made much harder when they went further behind on 49 minutes. Robbie Hatton ran clear and beat the diving Woolrich to find the net. Mitchell Glover was brought on for Lucas Green-Birch. On 58 minutes, it was 3-0 when Woolrich saved a shot with his leg, but it looped up and Oultram headed home the rebound. They almost added to the total when George West fired over. Malbon was brought on for Luke Lewis and quickly worked his way through on goal, but Merner held the effort. Eagles pulled one back on 64 minutes when Boast ran clear again only to be clattered by Merner – however, his shot had sufficient power to find the net, the keeper receiving a yellow card in the process. Max Raine and Joel Jones were brought on before Oultram forced a decent save from Woolrich. West and Oultram had further efforts as Sandbach were now attacking at will, the extra man proving to be decisive as Eagles were running out of steam. Sandbach got a fourth on 89 minutes when a corner from the left was deflected past Woolrich for an own goal. Eagles’ misery was complete in added time when sub Joshua Klein-Davies blasted the ball past Woolrich.
FT: Sandbach United 5 Eccleshall 1

This was a bad day at the office for Eccleshall, the real turning points being the first half disallowed goal by Boast – a clear error by the referee’s assistant, and the red card for Hickman. However, Kelly now has to lift his squad as they face second placed Wythenshawe Amateurs at Pershall Park on Wednesday evening. It doesn’t get any easier for Eagles.

Eagles: Woolrich, France, Dunn, Flattley (Raine), Blaise, Hickman, Lewis (Malbon), Stanton, Boast (Jones), Benton, Green-Birch (Glover).
Unused sub: Feeney

Referee: Mr Daniel Taylor
Attendance: 133