Sandford Firsts 0 - Crediton Seconds 4

ON Saturday, January 27, Sandford First team took on Crediton Seconds in a return fixture, having beaten them earlier in the season.

The home side, on a run of two defeats, were looking to get back to winning ways.

Three minutes after the kick off, Sandford were awarded a kick which came to nothing.

Then Crediton broke away and shot over the home goal.

As the half went on there were misses from both sides, both over the crossbars and wide.

In the first 27 minutes Crediton had two players booked, then the away side scored in the 28th minute to go 0-1 up.

Sandford kept plugging away but their heading and shooting were off target.

Half-time arrived with the score 0-1.

The second half saw Crediton having more possession which inevitably would lead to more goals.

Lewis Cooke, Sandford's centre back, had to leave the field with a damaged knee.

Still, chances went begging at both ends and on 74 minutes the away side had their third booking of the game.

Sandford's lack of finishing power was now getting serious.  Captain Darren Hughes, making a welcome return to the side, shot over on 76 minutes and Tyler Morgan Hugget headed over from a corner.

On 77 minutes a mistake in the home defence led to an own goal coming of the defender's leg, 0-2.

Then, on 79 minutes, Sandford were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box.

A chance to get a goal back, but unfortunately, for the second week running, the effort was wasted as the shot went over the bar.

In the last 10 minutes Crediton added two more goals to take the winning margin to 0-4 to the away side.

Crediton fully deserved their win.  They took their chances and played the better football.

Sandford must now start putting all these wasted efforts in the back of the net and also tighten up on sloppy outfield play or they are going to tumble down the league.

This Saturday they play Elmore Reserves at home, so let's hope for a better result. Kick-off 2.15pm. 

The Second team again had their game away to Axmouth postponed. This coming weekend they are away to Exeter Don's. Kick-off 2.15pm.

A J H