SATURDAY, November 2 saw a local derby at the George V Playing Field in Sandford between Sandford AFC First Team and Cheriton Fitzpaine Seconds.

The home side were missing Ryan Trump and Lewis Cooke from defence and Sam Reeves from midfield.

When the game began we could see that it was going to be a pretty even contest with the "Cherries" starting better.

It took Sandford a while to get going and, when they did, Lewis Mooney went close after six minutes.

Four minutes later a free kick to the home side led to Ross Smith shooting over.

Cheriton had a chance after 12 minutes, when a mistake happened in the middle of the Sandford defence, which came to nothing.

Both sides had attempts to score but it wasn't until 25 minutes when frontrunner Matt Baker shot across the “Cherries" goal only for the keeper to miss handle the ball into his own net, 1-0.

Slow starting "ford" were now competing well and on 29 minutes Matt Baker again scored to make it 2-0.

After that the game swung end to end towards half-time with the “Cherries” putting the ball into the net just before the break but it was ruled offside.

So, at the interval, the score read 2-0 to the "ford".

After the break the game continued to flow end to end with chances to both sides.

On 52 minutes Baz Mthunzi Clark was substituted from midfield to be replaced by Henry Powell and three minutes later the midfielder saw his shot cannon off a “Cherry” defender, which was goal bound.

The away side had their chances and again Sandford can thank keeper Charles Headley for keeping the score at 2-0.

On 79 minutes left winger Chris Hawkins hit the crossbar then a minute later he went close again.

Cheriton were now coming strong and after 82 minutes the inevitable happened.

The home defence was breached and the away side scored, 2-1.

With 86 minutes gone Lewis Mooney was replaced by Keiron Stanbury up front.

With full-time drawing closer Sandford were hanging on, then the “Cherries” forced a corner on the right hand side which resulted in the ball coming over and landed at the feet of a “Cherry” player who was unmarked.

He placed the ball past the helpless Sandford keeper, 2-2.

That was the score at full-time.  All I can say is that Sandford wasted chances up front and was disorganised in defence from set pieces. 

On Saturday Sandford First team play Heavitree Seconds in the Devon Intermediate Cup at Wingfield Park, Exeter, Kick Off 2pm. Your support will be welcomed. 

A J H