FT Alsager Town 0 Sandbach United 1 (Hatton, 11)
The sun was out on Easter Monday as the Bullets took on local rivals Sandbach United in their final home match of the season.
Both sides were eager to return to winning ways after narrow defeats on Saturday.
Alsager sat in eleventh before the match but were just three points off the top six.
The Bullets forced Sandbach keeper Joseph Lawton into an early second minute save, but it was the away side who started the match on top.
Sandbach took the lead in the eleventh minute. The ball was crossed in from the right wing and finished by the captain, Robbie Hatton.
Alsager began getting the ball into their opponents’ half, but failed to create any real chances.
Sandbach then had a chance to double their lead. Jacob Kirwan made an excellent save when a shot was aimed into the top right corner of the net.
Kallam Boyle won Alsager a free kick on the edge of the box a few minutes later, but the wall did its job effectively.
Not long before half time there were appeals for a penalty. Sandbach players claimed the ball was handled in the box, but the referee was disinterested and play continued.
Kirwan made another good save to ensure it was only a one goal deficit at half time.
Half time: Alsager Town 0-1 Sandbach United
Sandbach had what was probably the biggest chance of the game to double their advantage early in the second half. George Kattah found Sajjad Elhassen in a good area but his close range shot was hit wide of the post.
Alsager had most of the chances after this. They had plenty of set pieces including both free kicks and corners, but failed to make them worthwhile. The ball was consistently skied over the net to the relief of the Sandbach defenders.
The Bullets did have the ball in the net after 72 minutes but the goal was disallowed as the assistant referee considered it offside.
The decision baffled many in the ground as the ball looked to have been played backwards.
Alsager continued to play long balls and win set pieces, but they never really looked like scoring again.
Kirwan made another good save in the 82nd minute when the ball was fired toward the left corner of the goal.
Manager Dean Jones was booked near the end. He was highly critical of the referee throughout the match, disgruntled by some of the decisions being made.
Sandbach remained strong defensively and secured the victory away from home.
Alsager were far from their best, but will feel that if key refereeing decisions had gone their way, they may well have picked up a point.
Full time: Alsager Town 0-1 Sandbach United
The Bullets have one league match left this season, but their attention for now will be on Saturday as they take on Barnoldswick Town in the Macron Challenge Cup semi final.
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