WHAT a difference a week makes!
On Saturday, September 7 we were stood in the pouring rain watching Sandford FC play, this Saturday, September 15, we're sat in glorious sunshine at King George V Playing Field in Sandford as the home side welcomed Pinhoe and Whipton for their third match of the new season.
Sandford kicked off playing towards the village and within two minutes had forced forced the first corner from which a header was saved by the visitors keeper.
The home side were clearly more skilful and faster than their opponents and after 11 minutes Henry Powell put them into a deserved lead, 1-0.
Two minutes later Keiron Stanbury shot wide and then forward Matt Baker got the ball with his back to the goal, turned the defender and shot, only to see the keeper save it.
On 31 minutes captain Sam Reeves blasted a shot high and wide.
Drinks were taken and just after that the visitors wasted a chance to equalise.
Four minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, forward Baker made it 2-0.
The second half saw Sandford playing with the sun behind them and it wasn't long before the home side increased their lead, Matt Baker scoring his second with a header on 53 minutes, 3-0.
Sandford were now in complete control of the game with Pinhoe and Whipton not troubling the home keeper much.
With 67 minutes gone another corner resulted in goal number four for Sandford.
This time the scorer was Baz Mthunzi Clark with a powerful header, 4-0.
The visitors were now visibly tiring and their defence was under a lot of pressure and on 75 minutes Pat Phillips scored to make the score 5-0 to Sandford.
As the game came to an end Matt Baker completed his hat-trick scoring Sandford’s sixth and final goal and at full-time it was 6-0.
Well done to all the team, it was a brilliant result. Next Saturday Sandford First Team is are away to Alphington at Hub Exwick Playing Fields. Your support would be welcome.
A J H