SATURDAY, November 5 saw Sandford First Eleven make their second longest journey of this campaign when they travelled to Colyton in East Devon.

Another wet and miserable day greeted the lads when they arrived.

Again missing four regular First Teamers they were always going to struggle against a side who were third or fourth in the league.

From the start Sandford were slow to get going and the home side had two efforts in the first five minutes.

After 11 minutes Sandford registered their first shot on goal which went wide. Both sides were struggling in the conditions.

Then on 16 minutes Colyton scored the opening goal.

Three minutes later Sandford broke away down the middle, the player clean through on goal only to be brought down.

A clear penalty we thought but not given by the ref.

On 39 minutes Sandford had a free kick just outside the Colyton box. Up stepped Sam Reeves with a brilliant low shot into the corner of the home net, 1-1.

In the six minutes to half-time Colyton stretched their lead to 3-1.

At the start of the second half Sandford had more drive going forward and started to put the home side under pressure.

In the 72nd minute Sandford scored their second goal through Kieran Smith.

The away side then pressed forward looking for the equaliser with two efforts just going wide before the end.

At the final whistle it was 3-2 to Colyton, another valiant effort from the away side.

Next the First team are home to University.

At home, also on November 5, the second team lost 1-0 to Cheriton Fitzpaine. Hard luck boys. Next it is up against Beacon Knights. 

A J H