Another absorbing contest at West Shepton ended with the home side maintaining their unbeaten home record, to resume top spot in the table from visitors Chard Town. Shepton were ultimately good value for the three points, as they knocked the ball around better than Chard all afternoon, but especially so after the break when they also created more at the sharp end. Neither side threatened the opposing goalkeepers much before the break, as the teams battled for supremacy. Shepton played the ball around well though, frustrating the visitors who as ever were very physical, and fortunate to keep all eleven players on the pitch after a couple of off the ball incidents went
unnoticed by the match officials. The highlight of the first period was a masterclass in passing from Shepton's Ben Cleverley, who Chard could not supress by fair means or foul. Centre half Tom Seery had their best half chance of the half when he pounced on Liam Watson's flicked header, only for Chard keeper Ryan Lewis to dive bravely at Seery's feet and smother the ball. Just before the break, Chard's liveliest player Richard Hebditch put Danny Cleal through with a clever pass, but Cleal missed a good chance to give his side a half time lead by shooting tamely straight at Shepton keeper Dan Nolan. Chard opened the second half with a brief flurry of attacking play, Seery doing well to block tackle Andy Martin as he was about to pull the trigger, before Adam Fricker curled a free kick narrowly wide, and Liam Cleal forced a
good save from Nolan. Shepton soon got going again though, and in the 53rd minute they took the lead with another fine individual goal from Chris Lane, who raced clear, fended off two challenges and beat Lewis from ten yards, the ball taking a slight deflection on it's way into the net. Only a fine save from Lewis five minutes later prevented Kye
Palmer doubling the home side's advantage, the keeper denied any credit for his excellent save however, as the officials awarded a goal kick. Although Chard forced four corners in quick succession midway through the half, Shepton were by now well in control overall, and dealt comfortably with what proved to be the only real spell of danger by Chard before the end. Lewis Redwood was unlucky not to add Shepton's second from Lane's cross, heading against a post with 20 minutes
to go, and five minutes later Lewis saved well from Cleverley, at the expense of a corner. From the corner Seery got a shot in that a defender cleared off the line at the expense of another corner. This time Seery had more fortune ,as he rose to meet Cleverley's cross at the near post with a glancing header that flew into the far corner for Shepton's second of the afternoon. Although Nolan had to alert to save well from a Hebditch free kick in the last minute, Shepton were otherwise untroubled as they ran out worthy winners, to take top spot back from Chard, and continue with their impressive home form. A second clean sheet in a row would have pleased manager Andy Jones, as well as taking another three points, with the whole side again
putting in a full shift on the day.

Pilton Cider mana of the match Lee Bryant

Team
1. D.Nolan
2. R.Banfield
3. L.Bryant
4. L.Redwood cautioned
5.T Seery..............scored one goal
6. R.Gwinett
7. B.Cleverley
8. C.Lane..............scored one goal
9. L.Watson
10.K.Palmer
11.A.Willmott

Subs used
D.Collins and D.Pendry