SATURDAY, March 18 saw Sandford First Eleven continue their Premier League campaign after a week's rest with a trip to third in the League Kentisbeare at the Rectory Ground.

From the start the home side looked a lot more well built in stature so it was going to be a tough afternoon for "ford".

How wrong can you be.  From the start the away side made up for the size difference with some skilful play.

In the first few minutes Kentisbeare had a couple of shots over the bar and wide. "Ford" replied after four minutes.

Then, after 14 minutes, Tudor Morgan-Huggett, Sandford's nippy right winger nipped into the box to slot home "fords" opening goal, 0-1.

Play continued with Sandford holding up well, then a foul by a home defender just outside the box gave "ford" another chance which Adam Billcock dispatched into the corner of the home net, 2-0 to Sandford.

Then two minutes later a shot from young Danny Carroll, making only his second appearance for the team, was too much for the home keeper to take and the young midfielder picked up the rebound and slotted home, 3-0 to Sandford. Were we dreaming?

On 30 minutes the home side pulled a goal back with a run down the left wing and cross to the centre for a forward to slot home, 1-3 to Sandford. 

Then, eight minutes later, a Kentisbeare midfielder picked up a loose ball, all of 35 yards out, and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the away net, 2-3 to Sandford.

On 43 minutes, a "ford" player, with his back to the goal, produced a bicycle kick which saw the ball just pass the outside of the home goal.

Half-time arrived with the away side still leading.

The second half began with Kentisbeare trying hard for the equaliser and on 53 minutes "ford" keeper Matt Parsell pushed a shot around the post.

On 59 minutes Billcock again had a free kick outside the box, this time shooting wide.

Then, on 60 minutes, a Kentisbeare player was brought down in the box and the penalty was struck home despite a desperate attempt by the keeper to save it, 3-3.

As the match drew to a close "ford" brought on two more young lads, Steven Dymond and Jack Perry, who performed well right to the end.

Sandford had a few breakaways towards the end which were thwarted only by fouls. Final whistle, a 3-3 draw. A brilliant result by the lads and a hard earned and well-deserved point.  This week the First team are away to Clyst Valley. 

The Second teams match against Morchard was called off because the ground was unfit. Next they are home to Central. Good luck to both.

UP THE FORD.

AJH