SANDFORD AFC’s season drew to a close with an evening fixture on April 30 against local rivals Witheridge at the George V Playing Field in Sandford.

A 6.30pm start on a lovely spring evening saw the home side kick off and an early attack by left-winger Lewis Mooney went close after just two minutes.

A few minutes later forward Matt Baker again went close with a shot over the bar.

On seven minutes, Sandford right winger Reece Kelly scored, 1-0.

Witheridge, always a threat to Sandford’s back line, were caught offside on 14 minutes.

Then there was a lengthy stoppage when a "Withy" player unfortunately stood on the ball damaging his knee and causing him to be substituted. Sandford continued to play well and were rewarded on 26 minutes when winger Kelly scored his second to make the score 2-0 to the home side. Two minutes later Witheridge got a goal to make the score 2-1 and a few minutes later they scored again with a "soft" header from the edge of the box which caught the home defence asleep and crept in under the crossbar, 2-2.

Halftime arrived with the score all square.

The second half started end-to-end and on 55 minutes Matt Baker scored with a turn and shot to take Sandford into the lead, 3-2.

Four minutes later “Withy" were level again, 3-3.

Left fullback Tom Cornwall shot wide and on 70 minutes Sandford defender Harry Stoneman got booked.

On 76 minutes defender Dylan Spurway made way for Joel Gebler to bolster the defence and Dom Cochran came on for Matt Baker who put in some hard running and harrying and was rewarded in the 77th minute with a goal which proved to be the winner.

At the final whistle the score stood at 4-3 to Sandford.

The final league six position for the "ford" was seventh in a table of 12.

A rather disappointing end to a season that at the beginning had promised so much.

I must say well done and thank you to all the players who turned out every week for the "ford" and all old players who filled in when required. Hopefully we can start again in August and improve to where the "ford" belongs. That's all for now folks see you all in August.

AJH