SATURDAY, March 21 saw Sandford First team entertain Tedburn St Mary Seconds at the George V Playing Field in a return Division 6 fixture.

After losing the away match earlier in the season the "ford" were looking to take revenge on their near neighbours who sit second in the league.

Sandford in possession during the game against Tedburn St Mary. AQ 1120
Sandford in possession during the game against Tedburn St Mary. AQ 1120 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Matt Baker for Sandford before he scored the third goal against Tedburn St Mary. AQ 1125
Matt Baker for Sandford before he scored the third goal against Tedburn St Mary. AQ 1125 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

On a lovely spring afternoon, the pitch looking immaculate, Sandford kicked off playing away from the pavilion end.

Tedburn had one old "ford" player in their team, Dean Jones, playing in defence.

Sandford went close after just 40 seconds but the shot went wide of the goal.

Four minutes later Tedburn forced a corner at the other end and the resulting corner was headed over.

Where to place the ball from a kick. AQ 1135
Where to place the ball from a kick. AQ 1135 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

On 12 minutes a "ford" corner was headed wide by Shaun Stapleton. This was end-to-end football and on 18 minutes a Tedburn attack finished with the shot going over the bar.

Then, on 20 minutes, Sandford broke the deadlock when a corner on the right was headed home by winger James Durand, 1-0.

Sandford were enjoying more of the possession and on 26 minutes Matt Baker had a chance to increase the score but missed.

More chances fell to "ford" with Shaun Stapleton heading against the bar on 31 minutes.

A battle for the ball. AQ 1156
A battle for the ball. AQ 1156 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

On 36 minutes Sandford doubled their lead when another corner was headed towards the Tedburn goal and defender Roger James headed in to score, 2-0.

The second half started with Tedburn making a tactical change in their formation by moving Dean Jones from centre half to centre forward his normal position they went looking to reduce the deficit. But on 52 minutes Matt Baker scored with the third header to make the score 3-0. Sandford’s defence of Roger James, Keiron Stanbury, Noah Addis and Danny Stevens were playing brilliantly against the visitors attack but on 65 minutes a free kick to Tedburn outside the goal area was saved by keeper Hawkins.

Minutes later Tedburn had an attack ruled offside, then on 79 minutes, in my opinion, the goal of the game when substitute Reece Kelly, playing on the right wing, hit a fierce cross which, somehow, midfielder Rowan Bosacki managed to get his head to which rocketed into the Tedburn goal, 4-0.

Plenty of Tedburn players but Sandford gained possession. AQ 1140
Plenty of Tedburn players but Sandford gained possession. AQ 1140 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

A quite brilliant goal. The game continued to flow from one end to the other but at the final whistle Sandford had won by 4-0.

This result means "ford" are now in third place in the league and if they keep this form up could finish runners-up. Well done to all the squad.

Next Saturday Sandford are home again, this time they play Witheridge Seconds, KO 3pm.

AJH