Match Report: Sandbach United FC 1 v 2 AFC Crewe

Goals: Abby Deakin, Anabelle Medley.

Another game, another win for AFC Crewe as the team advanced to the next round of the Cup with a close-fought 2-1 win away to Sandbach United FC.

The first half saw some lovely football from our side, with a couple of fine saves managing to keep Sandbach just about level at half-time. As 0-0s go, this was one of the more lopsided ones, so a strong second half was needed to break down a stubborn and resolute Sandbach outfit.

With the Sandbach keeper in fine form throughout this contest, it was going to take something special to get past her - and something special it was indeed, as a short corner and a quality cross to the back post was met with a lovely cushioned volley from Abby Deakin to give AFC Crewe the lead on 53mins. The cross seemed to stay in the air for a week, so to put away such a deft finish spoke to Abby's quality.

They say that nothing worth having comes easy, and so the Sandbach equaliser a couple of minutes later meant that the ladies were going to have to really earn their place in the next round. Step forward Anabelle Medley, who saw a deflected cross coming her way at the edge of the box and rifled a right-footed shot into the top corner. As game-winning goals go, it was right up there with some of the best this team has ever seen and came off the back of some tremendous build-up play down the right-hand side. The goal came in the 68th minute and was just rewards for a fine performance from the team.

Lineup: Issy Brand (GK), Martha Atkinson, Abby Deakin, Holly Ellison, Anabelle Medley, Sara Noori, Jasmine Parry, Menna Shirras, Darcie Tennant, Kimberly Tsiga, Olivia Wakefield.

UP NEXT: Newton-Le-Willows Ladies (A) on 9 March 2025.