SANDFORD First team entertained Elmore Seconds in their only evening match of the campaign on Monday, April 24.

From the kick-off the away side took control and put Sandford under constant pressure.

In the first 10 minutes Elmore had several chances to take the lead then unexpectedly, Sandford took the lead on 17 minutes through Dan McCann. The home side then had a penalty turned down.

On 24 minutes Sandford increased their lead when Adam Bilcock scored from the penalty spot.

Elmore’s persistence paid off when they scored after 33 minutes.

Hoping to reach half-time with the lead Sandford’s hopes were dashed when Elmore scored with a minute to go. The half-time score was 2-2 .

The second half saw Sandford begin to tire after their full-on display against Sidmouth on the previous Saturday.

But they kept on battling the defence highlighted by a penalty save by Matt Parsell in the 57th minute.

The home defence held out until the 65th minute when Elmore went ahead with a shot to the corner of the home net, 2-3 .

It was 83 minutes when the away side went further ahead, 2-4.

Sandford still defended bravely, but then another Elmore attack saw them score again, 2-5 .

The final whistle came with the home side players completely shattered. Two hard games in three days had taken their toll.

Another brave effort without any reward.

On the following night (Tuesday, April 25) the Second team took on Division Six champions Morchard Bishop at the Sandford ground.

In a hard fought match the home side’s luck deserted them and they were beaten 2-1.

A J H