1/3/2025 NWCD1S Stockport Georgians 3-1 Sandbach United

 Georgians Upset the Odds

It was the Saturday instalment of the North West Groundhopper weekend, where groundhoppers from all over the country get to see 7 games over 3 days at 7 different grounds. The first game of Saturday seen struggling Stockport Georgians host Sandbach United who are hoping to make the playoffs at the end of the season. 

In front of a bumper crowd of 532, the game got underway in glorious sunshine at 11:00am. The first 10 minutes of the game seen Sandbach understandably control the came with some nice passes through out the pitch with SG relying on counter attacks. The first real effort on goal was from Alley from Sandbach who had a strike from the edge of the box which went wide. 

This seemed to spark SG into life as they look the game to Sandbach soon after, twice hitting the crossbar in quick succession from Berry and Wych. Much of the first half was end to end but with no clear cut chances until on the stroke of halftime, Berry for SG was played through inside 12 yards, but somehow managed to miss the target completely meaning the first half ended goalless. 

The second half started as the first ended with end to end attacks. Greenop for Sandbach shooting narrowly over, then Wych for SG again hitting the woodwork from a freekick. The deadlock was finally broken on the 48th minute when a poor kick from Sandbach keeper Jones resulted in Wych being gifted the ball, who then calmed placed the ball in the bottom corner. Three minutes later Sandbach were level, a freekick whipped in from Cope found the head of Greenop who's powerful headed drew them level. 

A third goal in 15 minutes seen SG re-take the lead. The impressive McFadyen who was causing issues all game down the left, cut inside when played in the box and fired a great goal into the bottom right corner. 

Not much goal action for the rest of the half as the game started to get niggly with a frustrated Sandbach struggling to find away back, SG killed the game off in the 80th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Cookson who drove into the box. McFadyen getting his second. 

Full time seen Stockport Georgians win 3-1 to boost their survival chances. Sandbach, although lost, are still comfortably in the playoffs still. 

It was a great way to kick off a full day of football for the groudhoppers who made their way North to watch Stockport Town. 

Stockport Georgians 3

Wych (48)

McFadyen (65, 80p)

Sandbach United 1

Greenop (51)

Att: 532