MATCH REPORT WRITTEN BY KEV O'B

Shepton were denied all the points at Cribbs, when despite a late penalty save by their keeper Adam Garlick who parried Ryan McKillop's spot kick, the home side's substitute Simon Bone was quickest to react and convert the loose ball to give his side a share of the spoils that they barely deserved. That said, Shepton might have converted more of their chances on another day, and Cribbs themselves did have other chances too.
A slow start allowed both sides to get used to the blustery conditions on a decent surface. James Billing started brightly for Shepton, shooting just wide from range a couple of times, and Liam Watson and Joe Morgan both put in vital tackles to keep Cribbs away from G's goal. When Dominic Graffagnino did get through for a shot, G made a good save, before Shepton started to get on top midway through the half. Lee Davidson was most unfortunate not to give them the lead when his low free kick strike from 20 yards hit a post, and within a minute Dave Stone shot narrowly wide of the home goal. Cribbs keeper Matt Turner then kept his side on level terms with a tremendous save from a Billing header that looked a goal all the way until the keeper clawed the ball away from his line. However it was Cribbs who struck the first decisive blow against the run of play, when a quick breakaway saw Tim O'Loughlin send the lively Raphael Waugh away down the left, before Waugh beat Garlick with a fine cross shot from 20 yards to put the home side ahead. Stone almost equalised from the restart, shooting inches wide, before Cribbs had another two chances, when Dave Gilroy missed the target and then Graffagnino forced a good stop from Garlick. Shepton had the last word of the opening half however, when Lewi Redwood headed a timely equaliser past Turner, from Davidson's corner kick to the far post.
Cribbs failed to deal with another Shepton corner seven minutes into the second half, and Stone picked up their loose clearance before knocking a clever chip pass to the far post where Joe Morgan was on hand to head Shepton in front. Billing just failed to increase their lead soon afterwards, after Turner could not hold a powerful shot from Morgan, the keeper recovering just in time to gather as Billing rushed in to tap in. Another good spell of pressure by Shepton then saw Harry Sherwood shoot a yard wide, and Stone bring two saves from Turner, the first a routine stop midway through the half after Stoner was put in due to a great move involving Lee Bryant and Ash Willmott, before Turner tipped the second Stone effort over his crossbar a couple of minutes later. Shepton's Ben Cleverley then shot just over, but having been unable to stretch their lead despite creating several chances, the home side reminded their visitors of the precarious nature of their narrow lead with 15 minutes left as a home cross eluded Garlick and his defensive shield, only for O'Loughlin to inexplicably head over an open target from three yards out. Then came the penalty incident with eight minutes remaining, as Le Bryant just clipped a home player as he burst into the Shepton penalty area. Bryant was somewhat harshly shown a red card on the last defender rule despite the proximity of his teammate Redwood, a yellow card would have been more appropriate given that no-one was disputing the penalty call. Shepton paid dearly for failing to get back and help their keeper out after his fine save, as Bone followed the spot kick up to earn his side a point. Shepton had the last chance of the game with a couple of minutes left, when a hard struck shot from Morgan was deflected for a corner, but it was the home side who celebrated at the final whistle as if they had won the game. Little consolation to Shepton that a team as high as fifth thought that a draw against them was a good result, but it does demonstrate how high Shepton have set the bar this season.
The spate of sendings off is hurting Shepton lately, but by no stretch od the imagination are Shepton a dirty side, and some dismissals were deserved, some not. If things are to even themselves out over the season, Joner and his players should remain optimistic that they can soon put their recent blips behind them and get back to winning ways. They played well at Cribbs, 5th remember, and if they create as many chances in games to come all should be well. We don't need any more suspensions though. Well done to Lewi Redwood, who became the 20th different player to score for us this season, probably a Shepton record. And well done travelling support of around 30 bodies, who made up half the attendance at Cribbs.

Team

1.A Garlick
2.L Bryant.......sent off
3.L. Davidson
4.L. Redwood.....scored one goal
5.H. Sherwood
6.L Watson
7.B. Cleverley
8.J. Morgan.....scored one goal
9.J. Billing
10.D.Stone
11.A Willmott

sub used
J.Vincent