Kentisbeare 5 - Crediton 1

LAST Saturday (October 28) Sandford FC First team travelled to Kentisbeare in East Devon to play a return fixture in the league having lost at home to them earlier in the season. 

When Sandford arrived at the ground the lads were warming up and the rain had just started. On the stroke of 3pm Kentisbeare kicked-off.

Sandford started brightly for a change and after one minute were awarded a free kick. 

Sandford’s young second team keeper Conrad Saunders, deputising for regular keeper Jeb Mussel, was soon in action as the home side came more into the game. 

The rain got heavier as the match went on making passing difficult as the ball was shooting off the surface. 

After 13 minutes Shaun Stapleton, playing at right fullback, went close with a shot over the bar, then on 15 minutes Tudor Morgan-Hugget, playing leftwing, cut inside and his right footed shot went in to the corner of the Kentisbeare net (0-1). 

With missed chances at either end, the rain got heavier, then on 33 minutes a goalmouth scramble at the Sandford end led to a defender slicing the clearance into his own net (1-1).

The away side were missing quite a few chances, one falling to midfielder Steven Dymond and another to Darren Hughes. 

In between Kentisbeare managed to score making the half-time score 2-1 . Unfortunately the only cover for spectators was in the bottom corner of the ground, so reporting on what happened at the other was almost impossible because of the torrential rain making passing football almost impossible. 

On 53 minutes Kentisbeare increased their lead to 3-1. 

As the game progressed the home side’s style of play became more influential.  

With more chances wasted, Sandford went further behind on 63 minutes (4-1).

With the rain still pouring down credit must be given to both teams, officials and the referee for staying out on the pitch.

As the game came to an end Sandford still tried to create chances but nothing came of it.

Greg Mildon shot wide, then another goal from the home side made it (5-1) . There were a lot of mistakes in defence, but on a day like that no-one could be blamed and a big well done to Sandford players for sticking stubbornly to the task. 

On Saturday, November 4, the First team have no game but please go along to the King George playing field at Sandford when the Second team will play Totnes and Darlington in the cup. 

All support welcome.  

Good luck to the Seconds .

 AJH