SANDFORD First team travelled to South Devon to play Paignton Villa Thirds in the Second round of the A and S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup on October 12.

After an hour and an half journey down the A380 we arrived to find the changing rooms were a disgrace, two toilets almost unusable and rubbish lying around everywhere.

Then, to compound matters, the referee cried off in the morning so a local man who said he was qualified took charge.

At two o'clock the match started with the home side kicking off.

It soon became apparent that they weren't in Sandford’s league but for some reason the "ford" were playing so badly that they were struggling against the home side.

Then, on four minutes, a looping cross from the Villa right wing saw Sandford keeper Charles Headley attempt to catch the ball only to let it go through his hands and drop for a Villa player to score, 1-0.

Sandford still playing well below par managed to force a corner from which the resulting cross was met by Baz Mthunzi Clark’s head at the back post. Goal 1-1 after six minutes.

On 22 minutes a lovely ball through the Paignton defence for Sandford right wing Lewis Mooney to run on to only to be held back, no foul according to the ref who was miles behind.

Then, on 27 minutes, it happened again, bad positioning by the "ford" right back allowed a Villa man to go down the wing and into the box, only to be brought down. Penalty 2-1 to Villa.

Sandford had a few chances leading up to half-time but did not convert any of them, 2-1 H/T.

The second half kicked off with "ford" spectators hoping for a change of fortune.

Most of Sandford’s chances came down the right wing and on 56 minutes Lewis Mooney again broke down the wing and crossed and the ball fell to Matt Baker who dispatched it into the Villa net, 2-2.

At last the away side seemed to wake up.

Sam Reeves came on still carrying an injury from the Alphington game and a minute later Matt Baker shot over.

The home side were now visibly tiring.

A corner to the "ford" lead to the ball coming off the box to Ross Smith who hit it first time from fully 25 yards into the top corner of the net without the keeper moving, 2-3.

Sandford now taking control saw Lewis Mooney shoot wide before, on 78 minutes, Matt Baker again scored making it 2-4.

Just before full-time sub Nathen Mew hit the bar again with the keeper hopelessly beaten, only to see the ball rebound to Sam Reeves who shot wide.

Full-time Villa 2 - Sandford 4.

A terrible performance first half, better second half.  We're now in the draw for round three.  

On Saturday the “ford" are away to Exeter University Thirds. 

A J H