Match Report by Kevin O'Brien

in the first hour or so of their County cup tie, but wayward finishing and some inspired saves from visiting keeper Jake Viney kept the scoreline level up to that point. However, in the remaining half hour the younger legs of the Southern league outfit told on a very heavy pitch, as the visitors ran amok and knocked in another four goals without reply to progress to the quarter finals.
For Shepton, Scott Murray was prominent early on as the home side took the game to the visitors, playing some good stuff at a high tempo. Jake McCormick went close from a Murray cross, and Viney was soon in action saving well from Harry Ritchie after good work from Tyson Pollard. Lee Sweet then went on a good run before combining with McCormick to tee up a chance for Murray, who was thwarted by another good stop from Viney, before the keeper made two more routine stops from Joe Burnell. However, with their first serious attack after full 25 minutes played, the visitors took the lead against the run of play with a shot across home keeper Dan Fox from Reeko Best, who got in behind the exposed Shepton full back Dave Thorne. McCormick was close with another chance before Shepton crafted a 35th minute equaliser from a Murray cross. McCormick got his head to the ball and it fell to Ritchie who hooked a shot past Viney from 6 yards. Although Ollie Chamberlain went close for Bridgwater a couple of times before the break, Shepton started the second period as well as they had finished the first and Sweet put a 20 yard shot narrowly wide early on in the half. Ten minutes into the half, Viney again kept his side level as he left his line to make another save from Ritchie, but sadly that was as good as it got for the hosts as Bridgwater then decided to up their own game. Once Chamberlain had put them back in front just before the one hour mark, Shepton's reshuffled defence imploded and the midfield ran out of steam. Further goals came through Best with his second(71mins), substitute Sam Towler (75mins) and Chamberlain with his second five minutes from the end. Only a superb one handed save from Fox denied Chamberlain his hat trick, but despite their effort fading badly in the last half hour, Shepton fully contributed to an entertaining game, as Bridgwater move on the the quarter finals.

Team

1. D.Fox
2.D.Thorne
3.L.Sweet
4.B.Fletcher
5.J.Burnell....cautioned
6.J.McCormick
7.S.Murray
8.C.Loxton
9.H.Ritchie.....scored one goal
10.A.Russell
11.T.Pollard

subs used

J.Morgan
B.Cleverley
A.Willmott

sub not used
R.Cousins
B.Lacey

attendance 62