LAST Saturday Sandford Football Club team travelled to Bradninch near Cullompton for a Division Six fixture.

At least the sun shone on a pitch which sloped from side to side and looked like it never got cut very often.

Bradninch kicked off and soon went on the attack forcing a corner in the first 30 seconds with Sandford making a usual slow start.

Then, on 10 minutes, a Bradninch player got the the ball on the left hand side of the field just outside the box, cut inside and shot left footed into the corner of the Sandford goal, 1-0.

Sandford now started to step up a gear and in the 42nd minute Matt Baker ran through after a long ball and the opposing goalkeeper came out and they both went for the ball in the air and the Sandford player was felled by a punch to the head.

A clear penalty so it seemed but the referee who was so far behind play disagreed.

In time added on Sandford attacked and Shaun Stapleton scored a goal to level the scores at half time, 1-1.

Sandford kicked off the second half and started to have more of the play and on 51 minutes left winger James Durand made it 1-2 to the "ford".

At this point the referee was losing control of the game and tempers on both sides became frayed.

Eight minutes later captain Sam Reeves made it 1-3.

Back came the home side and on 72 minutes with a mixup in the Sandford defence Bradninch scored their second goal.

With the game following end to end it was fullback Danny Stevens who scored the goal to make the game safe for the "ford".

A really hard fought game and three precious away points and well played to all the Sandford players.

Next Saturday Sandford start a three match run in to Christmas when they entertain Chagford at home, KO 2.15pm.

The following week they play Tedburn St Mary at home, KO 2.15pm.

The week after that they play league leaders North Tawton. Hope to see you there.

AJH