Road trip ahead for Wild’s Lions
STOCKPORT Town beat a strong Sandbach United side 2-1 in the Hallmark Security League, making it four consecutive home wins and extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
An own goal and a Conor Downes freekick cancelled out Boris Melingui’s equaliser in the first half as Stockport held on following relentless Utd attacks late in the game.
Lions boss, Dave Wild, was far from pleased with the performance despite the victory but was glad to pick up another three points. He said: “I thought the standard of the game was awful! We were nowhere near at the level of performance that we have set ourselves and the lads will openly admit that themselves.
“The weather played a huge part in the afternoon, the force of the wind, especially for us in the second half was difficult but we ground it out, didn’t play well and still won so I shouldn’t really complain.
“We have to be completely honest in the fact that our first goal was lucky and the wind really helped it in toward the packed penalty area. Having said that Conor [Downes] has the ability to do that from freekicks and the second goal was a clean strike over the wall.”
Wild commented on his side’s defensive display as promotion chasing Sandbach pushed for a late equaliser.
“In the later stages of the game we have to be open and honest, they absolutely bombarded us, and on another day they would have nicked something from the game. But we stood strong as a group, worked well in shape and positioning individually, and collectively got our reward.
“We always looked a threat on the counter however as they piled men forward and we would have scored a third if it wasn’t for a foul on John Pritchard who would have been one-on-one with their goalkeeper.
“Overall, it was not good enough from us by any stretch of the imagination but a win is a win and we will take it!”
Town now face a tricky number of weeks as they play away from Stockport Sports Village for six straight weeks, but Wild remained in high spirits: “Up next for us is a very tricky away trip to Atherton LR, and I think the league table does them justice and they are recruiting well at the moment to end their own season on a high.
“I have made it abundantly clear that if we perform like we did in this game again our luck will run out and we will only have ourselves to blame. Every game is vital to us as we bid to end the season strong for our supporters and the board.
“We’re on the road now for six consecutive games and we’ve spoken about it as a group and what I can tell you is that we’re really looking forward to the challenge. I don’t think there’s many better feelings than travelling down to an away game in unfamiliar surroundings and putting on a performance and that’s now our focus for six weeks.
“The positive side to so many away games is that three of our final four games of the season are at home so it’s swings and roundabouts really.”