SATURDAY, February 3 saw Sandford AFC First team take on Elmore Seconds in a Devon and Exeter Premier League match at the George V Playing Field at Sandford.

On a grey and overcast day the home side were eager to end a run of three consecutive defeats, taking on the bottom of the league side.

From the start Sandford pressed forward and after a minute-and-a-half from their first corner they headed wide of the goal.

More chances came for the home side and then in the seventh minute Owen Gregory fired in a hard shot which the keeper failed to hold and the ball went into the net, 1-0 to Sandford.

It was 16 minutes before Elmore had a chance and a free kick outside the Sandford box was deflected for a corner.

On 20 minutes Sandford doubled their lead with Owen Gregory again striking the ball into the away side’s net, 2-0 to Sandford.

Both sides kept trying and the home side’s keeper Jed Mussel was called on several times to keep his score sheet clean.

On 33 minutes a chance fell to Steven Dymond, only for him to shoot wide, then after 37 minutes Owen went racing onto a through ball looking for his hat-trick but could not beat the Elmore keeper.

The away side won a corner from which left-winger Tudor Morgan-Hugget made a goal-line clearance.

As the game approached half-time an Elmore player launched a two-footed tackle which caught Owen Gregory on the right leg.

He went down clutching his leg but the referee said play on. After a few minutes he decided to stop the game.

The game was then suspended for an hour-and-a-quarter while an ambulance was called.

The game resumed at 4.15pm.

Elmore did mange to score a goal but Sandford held on and the final score was 2-1 to Sandford.

It was very difficult for the home side to pick up where they left off before the injury.

Special thanks to the Elmore physio for helping look after Owen. 

This Saturday the First team are away to Clyst Valley at Clyst St Mary.

The Second team had an awful day losing 8-0 to Exeter Dons.

Hopefully they'll have better luck luck this Saturday when they take on Otterton at home. Good luck to both sides.

A J H