Playing only their second game of the year and third for two months Shepton might well have been a bit rusty, but were far from it early on as they took the game to visitors and local rivals Wells City. They scored what proved to be the winner after only 8 minutes when an upfield clearance by keeper Tom Easterbrook was headed on by Ieuan Crowe into the path of Jake Sloggett, who ran on and shot past visiting keeper Tom Creed from 15 yards. Callum Gould almost added a second before Charlie Moon went close with Wells first chance after 17 minutes. On 20 minutes Callum Ball’s fine left wing cross was hit a yard wide by Sloggett, and when play went up the other end Craig Herrod fired a Wells effort straight at Easterbrook who saved easily. Crowe spun and shot a yard wide midway through the half, but the dynamic of the contest changed dramatically in the 35th minute when Shepton’s Ball was harshly dismissed for what at worst was a robust tackle with his foot on the ground, a yellow would have been the right call on the night.
From then on the 10 men of Shepton shut up shop, but did so to great effect, the whole back line of Joel Sisson, Fin Wilkinson, debutant Josh Swarbrick and led by captain on the night Harry Rutty, blunted wave after wave of Wells attacks early in the second period. In midfield Fin Haines and Callum Gould also put in a great shift on the heavy surface, and last ditch tackles from Swarbrick, Sisson, Haines and Gould along with a couple of fine saves by Easterbrook, the best from Wells full back Josh Champion, ultimately saw the hosts triumph. Shepton also posed more than one threat on the break as the half progressed, this despite all three of their front men going off injured as the half progressed.An unseemly melee six minutes into stoppage time summed up the frustration of the visitors, but Shepton deserved their win and move on to the quarter final stage where they will host either FC Bristol or Sherborne Town in the next round. Sponsors Mentals Driving School and Roy Wareham’s man of the match for Shepton was Harry Rutty, with Swarbrick and Haines also having fine games.

Team
1.T. Easterbrook
2.J.Sisson… cautioned
3. F.Wilkinson
4.J.Swarbrick
5.H.Rutty
6. C.Ball….sent off
7. F.Haines
8.C.Gould …cautioned
9.I.Crowe
10.N.Legge…cautioned
11.J.Sloggett…..scored one goal(8mins)
Subs used
J.Lyons( for 11.63min)
Lenny Gale( for 10. 78mins)
B.Symes ( for 9. 79 mins)
Attendance 225