SANDFORD First team welcomed Exeter International to the "ford" for game number five in the current campaign on Saturday, September 28.

Unbeaten in their last three games, the home side was looking to extend its run against the league's bottom side.

The Exeter side consisted, mostly, of players from diverse communities, which was nice to see at the "ford".

Exeter kicked off on a bright sunny afternoon and Sandford soon gained possession and went on the attack.

One minute in and captain Sam Reeves had the first shot on goal for the home side but it went wide.

Sandford were playing as a unit when the away side were content on just clearing the ball.

The home side were finding it hard to take control but then left fullback Ki Alexander had a shot go in off the post to make it 1-0 to Sandford after 21 minutes.

In the first halfhour three or four Exeter players went down injured, one having to go off.

The away side were struggling to make any chances and when they did they were constantly being caught offside by a Sandford defence in which Lewis Cooke and Harry Stoneman were in control, except for the odd slip.

On 31 minutes Lewis Mooney had a chance but failed to score, Matt Baker headed over and Baz Mthunzi Clark shot wide. At half-time the score was 1-0 to Sandford.

The second half saw the home side kick off with the "ford" again taking control.

On 51 minutes Lewis Mooney had a shot hit the post.

The Exeter side were still completing and had the odd chance now and then.

They almost had an opportunity when a mistake by "ford" keeper Charles Headley nearly led to a goal.

It wasn'tuntil the 80th minute that Sandford were awarded a penalty from which Sam Reeves made it 2-0.

The "ford" had struggled and had not played well.

On 85 minutes a pass from Ross Smith found Dom Cochran who made it 3-0.

Another penalty was awarded to Sandford in the dying minutes and substitute Nathen Mew made it 4-0.

At the final whistle Sandford won four goals to nil.

Three points gained from a scrappy match which put the "ford" top of Division Six.

No match this week but in soon Sandford play host to Witheridge Seconds.

A J H