Sandford 2 - Uplowman 1

WEEK seven of Sandford AFC’s 2024 season saw the visit of Uplowman to the George V Playing Field.

The visitors, unbeaten up to now, were always going to be a tough fixture.

Unfortunately Sandford lost defender Lewis Cooke before the game had started, then leading scorer Matt Baker came off at half time.

Uplowman kicked off and soon went on the offensive with Sandford slow to start.

We had to wait until the ninth minute before Lewis Mooney went close, after through ball from captain Sam Reeves.

Special mention to Charles Headley, our keeper, who throughout kept us in the game.

On nine minutes a mistake in the Sandford defence lead to Uplowman scoring the first goal which, on the run of play, they deserved.

After more visitors pressure Sandford broke down the right wing with Ryan Trump putting in a lovely cross for Joe Greenslade  to convert, 1-1.

At last the "ford" were coming to life, lively right winger Mooney the home side’s most dangerous player with his electric speed.

In a throughly entertaining game both teams chased the lead towards half time, but when the whistle went at the break, the score stayed 1-1 H/T.

The second half started with "ford" playing away from the village and gradually coming more and more into the game, keeper Headley still making important saves with the "ford" unable to score at the other end.

Baz Mthunzi Clark came off after 79 minutes to be replaced by Abe Dellamuro at left full back.

Both sides were chasing hard for the winner and again Sandford’s keeper kept them in the game with a magnificent save, one of many.

Keiron Stanbury had replaced Matt Baker in the attack and was chasing everything and on 88 minutes bundled the ball over the visitors line to put Sandford in the lead.

The game went on with several minutes of extra time being played before the referee blew for full time with Sandford winners by 2-1.

On Saturday, November 2, Sandford are home to Cheriton Fitzpaine, KO 2.15pm. 

A J H