against a spirited Bishop Sutton side who contributed towards an entertaining game at West Shepton.
A relatively quiet opening 15 minutes then saw the game burst into life when visiting keeper George Dempsey made an excellent save from a Ben Cleverley free kick.
Sutton forced a corner immediately afterwards, but Shepton broke quickly through Syd Camper, and his lay back to Cleverley was knocked first time to the far post where the onrushing Ash Willmott was on hand to fire past Dempsey and give Shepton a 17th minute lead. Cleverley was unfortunate not to double the advantage soon after when his 25 yard free kick crashed against the crossbar, as was Harry Ritchie when he converted a pass from Will Hailston in the 25th minute, only to be given just offside. Dempsey kept his side in the game with a good save from Cleverley, and then a double save from Ritchie and Brett Cotterill's follow up on 40 minutes. Ritchie put another chance over the bar after a good one-two with Hailston, and the half ended with Sutton's first meaningful shot from Harry Neil that was not far off target.
Ashley Hawkins brought the first save from home keeper Dan Fox 5 minutes into the second period, but two minutes later Shepton doubled their lead through Camper, who took off down Shepton's left flank, rounded two opponents and then beat Dempsey with a low shot into the far corner for a fine goal. Fox then saved comfortably from Neil as the game became more end to end, and Hailston was denied a 3rd for Shepton midway through the half after his run at goal from halfway was thwarted as he was about to shoot by a great interception from Sutton's George Thorne. With 15 minutes to go a Ben Francis piledriver rattled the Shepton crossbar, before Shepton took advantage of their let off two minutes later as Ritchie put more daylight between the sides following a similar break to Hailston's from halfway. Ritchie's pursuer could not quite catch up this time before Ritchie got his shot away to beat Dempsey for Shepton's third. Sutton did manage to pull a goal back 10 minutes from time after centre back Sam Downes made a 50 yard run at speed before beating Fox from outside the area with a tremendous shot, but Shepton had the last word with another themselves five minutes before the end. Hailston and Cotterill combined well to set up a chance for Ritchie, who saw his hooked shot tipped away for a corner by Dempsey, but after Lee Davidson scuffed his shot from Cleverley's cross, the ball bounced up and Craig Loxton headed home from close in for Shepton to progress to the next round.
A good all round team effort with the younger players having an extended run out, especially with Liam Hodges joining Syd Camper and Harry Ritchie in the starting line up and Brett Cotterill having a full hour also. All did well but my MoM was Ben Cleverley who was everywhere on the night, involved in three of the goals and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Team
1`. D.Fox
2. A. Willmott.....scored one goal
3.L.Davidson
4.L.Sweet
5.B.Fletcher
6. W.Hailston
7.B.Cleverley
8.L.Hodges
9.H.Ritchie...scored one goal
10.A.Russell
11.S.Camper....scored one goal

subs used

C.Loxton....scored one goal
B.Cotterill
R.Cousins

sub not used
J.Burr

attendance 66