AFTER the highs of Tuesday night Sandford First team returned to King George playing field on Saturday, August 26, with a much depleted side due to injuries and players away for the holiday period. 

Kentisbeare were the visitors and after losing their first match were looking to continue with their first win. 

From the kick-off it was going to be a busy day for Sandford’s young keeper Jed Mussel. 

The home side came under pressure right from the start and after six minutes went behind when the visitors headed home from a cross making the score 0-1 to Kentisbeare. 

They continued to push Sandford back and at 17 minutes a goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner. 

The home side came into it more and on 25 minutes young Greg Milton scored with a left-footed shot to the corner of the net equalising at 1-1.

And so we arrived at half-time with scores level.

At the start of the second half the home side suffered another blow when leftwing back Niall Casey had to leave the field with a damaged shoulder. 

On 52 minutes a free kick to Kentisbeare resulted in another headed goal making the score 1-2. 

Then on 59 minutes Sandford suffered another injury blow when centre back Lewis Cook suffered damage to his knee. 

He was replaced by super sub Dean Pidgeon who saved the day for the club by being available. 

On 62 minutes a long ball by Kentisbeare gave them a 1-3 lead.

Sandford players stuck admirably to their task but with so many first team players missing the gulf of talent was too much and on 87 minutes Kentisbeare increased their lead to 4-1. 

In between manger Ben Waller, made a guest appearance as sub only to be off a few minutes later for a late tackle that was rather harshly dealt with by the referee. 

It just compounded a really bad day for the "Ford". 

The second team started their campaign with a trip to Bampton and came away with a 1-0 loss. 

On Saturday, September 2 the First team are away to Elmore with a 3pm kick-off.  

The Second team travel to Cheriton Fitzpaine for their second league game.

A J H