STOCKPORT GEORGIANS 3, SANDBACH UNITED 1
Lowly Stockport Georgians had the perfect day as they beat high-flying Sandbach United in North West Counties League, first division south.
Georgians put further daylight between them and the teams below them with an excellent display before a club record crowd.
It was richly entertaining for the 523 spectators who gathered at Cromley Road for this fixture – one of four to be held today as part of the latest GroundhopUK event.
Apart from the three points, the club will be thousands of pounds richer after an attendance four or five-fold greater than normal as non-league fans from throughout the UK gathered for the weekend bonanza of seeing seven matches in three days.
“We played very well,” explained Georgians manager Andy Jenkins who added: “We tend to play better against the better teams – we have got to stop doing that only against them.
“We have a good young team with everyone pulling in the same direction. The challenge will be keeping them together for next season.”
Georgians had the better chances in the goalless opening period as Joe Collins and Kyle Wych, once an academy player at Manchester United and Oldham Athletic, both struck the bar in the space of little more than 60 seconds.
Lucas Berry was also put clean through in stoppage time only to inexplicably shoot wide.
Georgians broke the deadlock within three minutes of the restart when Sandbach keeper Andrew Jones could only palm out the ball to Wych who fired home a low shot from about 10 yards.
Their joy was short-lived as two minutes later Sandbach were level when Ben Greenop rose at the far post to head home Niall Cope’s free kick.
Georgians were back ahead mid-half with a solo effort from Oliver McFadyen, the boomerang boy, who is in his third spell at the club.
It was a trademark McFadyen goal as he cut in from the left and bent in a shot off the far upright.
Georgians sealed victory with a McFadyen penalty nine minutes from time which was bizarre as referee Kaan Hayes initially gave a free kick against the home side.
But after his assistant flagged and the pair consulted, the spot kick was awarded for a push on a Georgians player.