SATURDAY, November 19 saw Sandford First XI embark on their longest journey of the season when they travelled to the Jurassic Coast to Lyme Regis, for their premier league clash.

On one of the smallest pitches in the league the away side found it hard to find open spaces, which suits their game, and Lyme were soon on top.

In the first nine minutes Sandford managed a header and a shot on goal before the home side took the lead.

On 18 minutes Sandford got their first corner of the game which resulted in a header being cleared off the line.

With 23 minutes gone a second goal was scored by the home side when a defensive mistake was gifted to them, play continued towards half-time with Sandford still struggling to find open spaces and to keep the home side from going further ahead.

On 44 minutes Deano Jones had a goal bound shot saved by the keeper.

Half-time arrived with Sandford trailing 2-0, hopefully a better second 45 minutes.

From the start Sandford came more into the game but then Lyme struck again, a header from a corner made it 3-0.

Sandford kept plugging away and nearly got a goal when winger Steven Dymond shot from the left side of the pitch only to see it just go over the bar with the keeper beaten.

The game began to swing more towards the away side as Lyme seemed to relax.

There was an overhead kick by Dean Pidgeon and then on 76 minutes. Sandford got their reward, the ball came to Steven Dymond who took on and beat the full back and crossed the ball which came to Dean Pidgeon who smashed a perfect volley into the Lyme Regis net. 3-1.

The game headed towards full-time with both sides still running hard.

At the final whistle Sandford were again on the losing side but you couldn’t fault the effort by all the players.

A long journey for no points, keep trying lads.

The Seconds were at home to Upottery and their winning run came to an end losing 0-2 to the away side.

On Saturday, November 26 the First team are away at Kentisbeare.

The Seconds are home to City Raiders.

A J H