SANDFORD AFC First team welcomed Sidmouth Seconds to King George playing field for their latest Premier League match on Saturday, April 22.

On a rainy day with a newly cut pitch both teams took time to adjust to the speed of the ball coming off the pitch. 

Sidmouth started strongly and after two minutes headed the ball over the home crossbar. 

One minute later Sidmouth’s pressure paid off when they scored their first goal, 0-1. 

Sandford kicked off and went on the attack. The ball  broke to right winger Chris Hawkes who hit a ferocious shot into the away net, 1-1. 

On nine minutes Sidmouth regained the lead, 1-2 .

On a very slick surface both teams fought hard as the game went from end-to-end. No more goals were scored before half-time. 

The second half saw Sandford battling hard to get back on terms, only to fall further behind on 52 minutes, 1-3 to Sidmouth. 

Never giving up, the home side kept plugging away and on 55 minutes Tudor Morgan-Huggett got his just reward for his battling display, when he scored Sandford’s second goal, 2-3. 

Sensing a point was within their grasp the home side went all out. 

Then on 72 minutes a through ball found front runner Dymond who, with two defenders closing in, slipped the ball to Sam Reeves who slotted in Sandford’s equaliser, 3-3. 

The game continued with both teams giving it their all. 

Sandford came close to snatching all three points in the dying minute when captain Darren Hughes headed over.

The full time score was 3-3. 

It was a brilliant display from both teams on a difficult surface. 

Another hard earned point for the "ford". 

Tonight, Monday, April 24, Sandford First team will play Elmore with a 6.35pm kick-off.

On Saturday, April 29 Sandford will play Kentisbeare at home with a 3pm kick-off. 

Unfortunately, Sandford Second team made the trip to Upottery in East Devon and came away on the losing side, 3-1. 

The Second team’s next game is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 25 at 6.30pm.

Good luck to both teams. 

AJH