Resurgent Town extend unbeaten run

STOCKPORT Town extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sandbach United in the Hallmark Security League on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions had luck on their side at Stockport Sports Village as they saw an own goal from Matthew Pearson and a Conor Downes freekick cancel out Boris Melingui’s equaliser.

With a number of matches called off due to adverse weather conditions, Stockport was the place to be as Dave Wild’s Lions got off to a flying start early on.

Just 11 minutes into play and the home side had the lead thanks to a Pearson own goal following a wonderful cross into the box from Paul Sunderland’s free kick.

However just a minute later and Sandbach had equalised through Melingui. With the visitors seeing a penalty shout turned down just inside the area, the striker kept play going before slotting past Daniel Whiting in goal.

Jude Oyibo went close to giving Stockport the lead again with a shot on target from the edge of the area, and just minutes earlier Josh Lane had gone close for Sandbach.

With 27 minutes on the clock and Town had retaken the lead thanks to Downes well-taken freekick. The midfielder caught out Utd keeper, Ryan Moss, at his near post as the ball eventually slipped through his legs and over the line.

Town had the chance to extend their lead through Ben Halfacre on the stroke of half-time but the striker headed the ball inches wide of the post.

The second half saw both sides begin to cancel each other out and Lee Constantine went close for Stockport as his strike from 25-yards was deflected just past the post for a corner.

Oyibo was involved once again down the flank, this time cutting inside from the left and forcing Moss into a good save at his near post.

Minutes later and the home side had Whiting to thank following a wonderful save after Lane’s freekick looked goal-bound.

Town began to sit back and absorb more pressure from the away side as they looked to hold onto their lead having already been beaten twice by Sandbach earlier in the season.

As fresh legs came on for both sides Sandbach began to up the pressure as they searched for an equaliser late into the match but Town’s defence stood firm as they cleared away any danger.

Stockport cleared their lines following wave after wave of Utd attacks in added time and blew a sigh of relief after the referee brought the match to a close. Wild’s Lions have now won four of their last five matches in the league, with all four victories coming at SSV.