ON a beautiful sunny day at the "ford" last Saturday, May 4, Sandford took on Sidmouth Town Seconds in a Premier League football match.

Earlier in the season, Sandford had lost the away fixture 3-1 after leading for a good part of the game.

With only four games left until the end of the season, the home side were getting desperate for points.

Sidmouth kicked-off and the home side went on the attack and after three minutes Steven Dymond, playing at right full-back, put in a lovely cross which was met by Chris Hawkins’ head, coming in on the back post and left the keeper beaten, 1-0 to "ford".

Sandford had Adam Billcock playing in midfield and manager Ben Waller playing in defence.

After six minutes a Sidmouth attack ended with the ball going wide.

On 19 minutes, Sandford nearly increased their lead when front runner Greg Mildon squared the ball across the goal which captain Darren Hughes failed to make a connection with.

After 24 minutes keeper Jed Mussel was called into action.

On 34 minutes, centre back Stoneman miss-kicked the ball across the field which was cleared by a home defender.

With 36 minutes on the clock winger Darren had the ball and crossed it but no-one was there.

Sandford got to half-time leading 1-0.

The second half started but the home side made a slow start and, with two minutes gone, they conceded a goal, 1-1.

Just after that, two more golden opportunities were missed.

On 52 minutes, front runner Greg Mildon got his just reward for some had work by scoring "ford's" second of the afternoon.

After 56 minutes, Sandford had a free kick after a Sidmouth player received a booking for a foul.

Then two minutes, later from a Sandford corner, captain Darren Hughes headed wide.

With all the missed chances "ford" could have been well in the led and on 64 minutes they paid the price when a goalmouth scramble lead to Sidmouth equalising, 2-2.

On 66 minutes the away side tried a 40-yard shot to catch the Sandford keeper off his line but the shot went over the bar.

Two minutes later Sandford made a substitution bringing on Owen Gregory after a long lay-off, for Greg Mildon who had run his heart out.

Then on 70 minutes another chance fell to Chris Hawkins who failed to convert it.

Then the play went up the Sandford end and Darren Hughes ended a Sidmouth attack by heading back to keeper Jed Mussel.

In the next few minutes there were chances at both ends with Sidmouth shooting over and Owen turning inside and shooting over.

Sidmouth were coming strong towards the end and a brilliant instinctive one-handed save by Jed kept the scores level. 

Then, in injury time, Owen Gregory had a chance to seal a win for Sandford but skied the ball over the crossbar.

At the final whistle, the score was Sandford 2 - Sidmouth 2.

A really entertaining game and a fair result which again could have been better if Sandford had taken their chances. 

This week has been brilliant for the Seconds who played three games with a possible nine points and won two and drew one, making seven out of nine.

Diary.

First Team fixtures: Monday, May 13 - Clyst Valley - Home, 6.45pm.  Saturday, May 18 - Upottery, Home 3pm. Monday, May 20 - Exeter University, Home 6.30pm.

Second Team fixtures: Monday, May 6 - Ex Don’s, Home 3pm.  Thursday, May 9 - City Raiders, Home 6.45pm.  Thursday, May 16 - Railway FC, Away 6.45pm.  Wednesday, May 22 - Axmouth, Away 7pm. 

A J H