Casuals’ unbeaten away record and leadership at the top of North West Counties Division One South came to an end following another tough encounter, this time in Cheshire against Sandbach United.

After last Saturdays 1-0 win at Dawley, Manager Dean Gill made two changes to his starting XL, James Rowland and Liam Kirton coming in to the starting XI from the bench, after Archie Kirton picked up an injury and Liam Matthews departed the club.

Sandbach made the perfect start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. Shotton’s corner found Hatton unmarked at the back post, and he fired home from eight yards after his first effort was saved by keeper Amos.

Casuals responded by enjoying plenty of possession, but chances were proving difficult to create. In the 26th minute, Rowlands’ free kick from the right corner of the box flashed across the face of goal without a touch from either side. A similar free kick from Rowlands nine minutes later produced the same outcome.

Casuals came closest in the 36th minute when Lewis Gill’s corner found Podmore at full stretch, but his timid header went straight at Sandbach goalkeeper Hall. A minute later, Rowlands’ corner picked out Hutchings, who could only head wide.

Storey then switched play brilliantly in the 43rd minute, finding Poskitt 20 yards from goal, but his effort flew wide. Sandbach almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Fowles found himself eight yards out, only to fire his snapshot over the bar.

The second half began in much the same fashion, with Casuals seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to turn their possession into clear opportunities.

In the 53rd minute, Rowlands found Cook, who turned before seeing his shot blocked, allowing Hall to gather comfortably. Three minutes later, Rowlands, operating on the left, was found by Liam Kirton, but his cross was just too high for Poskitt.
Sandbach doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Shotton’s free kick was sent into a crowded penalty area and, with Casuals unable to clear their lines, the ball fell to Williams, who fired past Amos.

Casuals refused to give up and gave themselves a lifeline in the 69th minute. A quick break began with Amos’ throw finding Cook, who raced to the byline before squaring the ball for Liam Kirton to tap home and reduce the deficit to 2–1.

With Casuals pushing for an equaliser, they were inevitably left more exposed at the back. Amos came to his side’s rescue in the 75th minute with an excellent save to deny Hatton and keep Casuals within touching distance.

However, Sandbach finally put the game beyond Casuals in the 81st minute when substitute Birchall found the net to restore the home side’s two-goal advantage.

Casuals continued to battle, but Sandbach added a fourth in the second minute of stoppage time, Nolan completing the scoring at 4–1.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Casuals, who had plenty of possession and continued to compete throughout, but ultimately found themselves punished by a clinical Sandbach side. The result brings an end to their unbeaten away record and their spell at the top of North West Counties Division One South, but the character shown in reducing the deficit to 2–1 will give the side plenty to build on as the season continues.