SANDFORD First Team travelled to Uplowman near Tiverton for an Exeter and District Division Six football match.

With regular keeper Charles Headley away on holiday the "ford" called on "Mr Versatile" Shaun Hawkins to fill in between the sticks. Sandford again short of available players were up against a team with a large squad.

The "ford”, playing down the slope, went on the the attack from the kick off and after two minutes forward Dom Cochran shot over.

One minute later midfielder Baz Mthunzi Clark scored a brilliant goal to give Sandford the lead, 0-1.

The away side had moved captain Sam Reeves back into the middle of the defence with Ryan Trump, Joe Greenslade and Baz in midfield. Uplowman forced a few corners which Hawkins did well to clear.

After 15 minutes Abe Dellamuro was substituted with an injury he'd been carrying for weeks.

Either side of 26 minutes there were two chances for Sandford to increase their lead but both failed.

Uplowman came strongly into the game but Sandford held firm, with more chances coming to them up to halftime.

At the break "ford" held a slender 0-1 lead.

The second half saw Sandford playing up the slope which saw them come under pressure from high balls.

After 61 minutes fullback Dylan Spurway received a knock to his nose which needed attention for bleeding.

On 70 minutes a mistake in midfield lead to Uplowman scoring the equaliser, 1-1.

Sandford held on and close to end left-winger Reece Kelly was just short on scoring when he raced onto a cross ball but failed to connect.

At full-time the score was 1-1.

A hard fought for point but well earned. Credit to all the Sandford players who ran their hearts out.

On Saturday Sandford are home to Beacon Knights, KO 3pm.

AJH