Sandford Firsts 5 - Okehampton Seconds 0

LAST Saturday Sandford FC First team, lying mid-table in the Devon and Exeter Premier League, had a home match against Okehampton Seconds, who are second from bottom. 

The pitch, although playable, was still fairly soft from all the rain but held up quite well. 

From the whistle the home team pressed forward and after two minutes they forced their first corner, then after four minutes Sandford got their first goal scored by left-winger Tudor Morgan-Hugget. 

The home side were in control of the game and after 17 minutes Tudor scored again to make it 2-0. 

As the game progressed Sandford had more attempts and misses with Steven Dymond shooting wide, a Tudor header was goal-bound until the Okehampton keeper pushed it over the bar. 

Okehampton were awarded a corner 35 minutes in from which they headed over, a minute later the Sandford keeper saved well to thwart an Okehampton attack. 

The away side were coming into the game and had a free kick in front of the goal from which they shot over. 

On 40 minutes Tudor lashed in a shot from outside the box to complete his hat-trick and take the home side to a 3-0 advantage at half-time. 

The second half started and Okehampton took control and reduced Sandford to defending and counter attacks. 

Only some poor finishing by the visitors kept the score at 3-0.

Sam Reeves nearly scored with a lovely backheel, but was tidied up by the keeper. 

Harry Stoneman came on for Lewis Cook.  

On 81 minutes Owen Gregory scored to take the score to 4-0. 

Manager Ben Waller then made a guest appearance for the last 10 minutes. 

Just before the end Greg Mildon picked up a rebound making the final score 5-0 and a welcome three points for the “Ford". 

The first match for Sandford, after the Christmas break, will be a home match against Lapford on Saturday, January 6.

See you then and season's greetings from the "Ford". 

Don't forget the club’s Christmas Draw and Bingo at Sandford Parish Hall on Friday, December 22, at 7.30pm.

A J H