Mersey Valley ended their poor cup form with a brilliant away performance, knocking out League One Sandbach United Reserves.

The two sides met pre-season with the home side running out 4-0 winners but this was a very different Mersey Valley who arrived at the impressive Sandbach Community Football Centre.

It was a slow start, both sides trying to get a foot on the ball, Sandbach looking to break the lines with clips over the top but Cooke was in excellent form, commanding his area and the edge of the box.

Valley started to create chances, Evans with a brilliant cross found Adams in the area but his header went wide. On the break, Lees got in behind Roach but Cooke got his angles right and the danger was eradicated.

The first big chance fell to Riley who found space in the box but scuffed his shot. Deering switched over to the right-hand side and beat his man before curling a great ball to the back post but the pace just eluded Woolley.

Johns was very fortunate to escape with no booking, firstly two fouls on Evans and then a dangerous lunge was seen by the referee but somehow not punished.

1-0 – Deering beats the keeper to open the scoring.

Sandbach then had their best chance, a poor cross nearly caught Cooke out but he backtracked and made a smart save. Deering went close at the other end after a free kick was cleared.

The breakthrough came just before half-time. Evans with a brilliant pass inside the full back to Deering who did the rest with a clever finish underneath the keeper.

The half ended with another odd decision by the official booking Downing for a foul. Hudson was lucky to escape without a caution after remonstrating with the official at half-time.

HT: Sandbach United Reserves 0 Mersey Valley 1

The second half was all about Valley as they started brilliantly, finding another gear and dominating the ball, the high press worked and Deering went close. From the corner, the ball broke to Mike Woolley who hit a brilliant 30-yarder which smashed against the post and bounced clear.

Deering then went close again, a brilliant run cutting inside but unable to hit the target and from an Evans free kick Woolley headed over.

More baffling decisions from the referee, Johns with his fourth poor tackle went unpunished but Evans who won the ball was then shown a yellow card.

Just before the hour the pressure finally told, Cooke was again sharp off his line and cleared the danger, Woolley with a great turn found Deering in space after he made a brilliant run, he beat the keeper and made it 2-0.

Deering went close to completing his hat-trick but headed over and Woolley tested the keeper with a drive.

Valley were in complete control going into added time but the referee then gave a bizarre penalty after a brilliant tackle from Greenwood, he also booked the defender. The spot kick was tucked away and the home side had a glimmer.

The referee incredibly added 7 minutes of added time but Mersey managed the game brilliantly not allowing the home side any chances.

The full time whistle went and Mersey Valley were into the second round of the J A Walton League Cup.

FT: Sandbach United Reserves 1 Mersey Valley 2