SANDFORD First team finally got back to playing Premier League football on Saturday, March 9, after more than a month of lay-off due to the weather.

The Sandford team travelled to Exeter to take on Clyst Valley at Winslade Park.

On a heavy pitch and with light drizzle falling the "Ford" kicked off and after a brief exchange the home side went through but were ruled offside after four minutes.

Next it was Sandford's turn to attack and midfielder Levi Burt had a shot saved by the home keeper.

From the resulting corner, Clyst cleared the ball.

Manager Ben Waller was drafted into the side at left back and was making some timely interventions.

On nine minutes a Sandford attack was unfortunately ruled offside.

Jeb Mussel, in the Sandford goal, was being kept busy making some brilliant saves, one in particular a flying effort to push a shot around the post.

Clyst were gaining the upper hand and only some desperate defending kept the score at 0-0.

Sandford's defence were added to the pressure with a lot of their clearances going straight to the opposition.

Half-time arrived with the score at 0-0.

The second half began with Sandford making a substitution, Manager Ben Waller going off, Steven Dymond, who had been on the right wing, moving to left fullback.

As the half progressed, Clyst took charge with some lovely passing and, after 48 minutes, took the lead, 1-0.

On a Sandford attack the resulting corner led to a goalmouth scramble.

The referee was on the edge of the box but he couldn't see and the Clyst linesman was never going to give it, so the score stayed at 1-0.

With the pitch getting heavier Sandford began to tire but, on an attack, midfielder James Durrant scored to make it 1-1.

Then a Sandford through ball saw forward Greg Mildon running through, only to be brought down by the keeper and defensive player.

The referee alarmingly nowhere near the tackle said play on, no foul.

Then, a few minutes later, Clyst took all three points by scoring a late winner.

At the moment it's a season of injuries and bad luck but, seeing the team hadn't played for more than a month, it was another valiant effort. 

No match this week for the First team, but in two week's time they play Clyst Valley at home, kick-off at 3pm. 

The Second team started the season again when they played Witheridge Seconds at Sandford.

Unfortunately we suffered a 0-3 defeat.

This coming Saturday, March 16, the Seconds are home again.

This time the visitors are Pinhoe and Whipton, kick-off at 3pm. Good luck to them. 

A J H