ON Saturday, December 9, Sandford FC First team returned to league action after a two-week absence when they travelled to Exeter to take on league leaders Alphington.

The match was played at Exwick Hub on an artificial 4G surface as their normal pitch was waterlogged. 

Conditions at Exwick were sunny and windy as Sandford kicked off. 

Alphington were first on the attack and forced keeper Shaun Hawkins, who was deputising for Jed Mussel, into a full length save. 

After eight minutes a Sandford attack lead to a penalty from which Sam Reeves failed to score as the home keeper saved it. 

A minute later Tudor Morgan-Hugget saw his shot hit the post with the keeper beaten. 

Sandford were finding the ball hard to control on the artificial surface and a mistake by right fullback Alex Buckingham lead to Alphington’s left winger going down the wing and cross, but nothing came of it. 

Alphington were finding it difficult in the wind and they had shots go wide or over. 

The game followed from end-to-end, then on the 31st minute Sandford had a series of corners which lead to Owen Gregory heading wide on the third attempt. 

On 42 minutes Gregory again received the ball and turned the ball inside the full back to hit a left-footed shot between the keeper and the post making it 0-1 Sandford. 

That's how it stayed until half-time. 

Alphington kicked off the second half and within a couple of minutes from the restart they were 0-2 down this time Tudor getting on the score sheet. 

As the half wore on Alphington came more and more into the game and Sandford fell back into a defensive formation hitting on the break when they could. 

On 59 minutes Lewis Cook was hurt in a tackle and was substituted with Harry Stoneman. 

On 60 minutes Owen Gregory again shot wide. 

By now it was mostly one way traffic with the away side defending desperately. 

On 80 minutes young Greg Mildon came on for the last 10 minutes at centre forward for Owen Gregory. 

The home side continued their attacks and on 85 minutes got their reward with a goal taking the score to 1-2. 

The game went into 10 minutes of extra time with the Sandford players running themselves into the ground to protect their lead. 

At the final whistle Sandford won 2-1 against the league leaders on their ground. 

This was a brilliant and hard fought win which all the players deserved, they had had so much bad luck with injuries and letting games slip away at last they got their rewards. 

Congratulations to all on a great win. 

On Saturday, December 16, the First team entertain Okehampton Seconds at King George Playing Field, Sandford with kick-off at 2.15pm.

The second team's match was called off due to no referee. 

This week they make the long journey to play Axmouth United for a 2.15pm kick-off.

Good luck to both teams. 

A J H