Match report by KOB
As per their two previous competitive games, Shepton gave a good account of themselves at Buckland last Tuesday, but again lost out narrowly due to their inability to convert their chances into goals.
A lively start from the home side was rudely interrupted after 15 minutes when a quick Shepton break caught them out at the back as Joe Morgan's flicked header found Ollie Bryant, who crossed for Tyson Pollard to fire goalward from six yards, only for Buckland keeper Kenny Griffiths to somehow get a touch and deflect the ball away for a corner. Richard Groves fired over at the other end and then hit a free kick straight at Shepton keeper Tom Easterbrook who comfortably gathered, but Shepton were playing confidently and Bryant was put in by Pollard only to see a defensive block turn his shot away for another Shepton corner. On 30 minutes Pollard and Jack Goodall combined to set up another fantastic chance for the visitors, only for Griffiths to make another superb point blank stop from Morgan's close range shot.
Jared Lewington's header was well saved by Easterbrook, before Tom Hill and Bryant set up another chance for Pollard, who saw his shot deflected for yet another Shepton corner. But just as the sides seemed certain to turnround goalless at the break , Easterbrook failed to hang on to a Buckalnd cross on 44 minutes and Charlie Johansson reacted quickest to crash a shot into the roof of the net from a yard out to make the vital breakthrough.
The goal was a bit cruel on Shepton who had been more than equal to the hosts in the first period, although the home side did come on strongly around the midpoint of the second period, forcing good saves by Easterbrook from Lewington, Groves and Lloyd Gardner that at least kept Shepton's interest going to the end. A Bryant header and long range effort from Hill precluded Shepton applying late pressure as they forced Buckland to defend what they had, but the closest they came to grabbing what would have been a deserved point for their overall solid team effort on the night, was when Craig Loxton's shot took a deflection at the end but was saved by Griffiths.
If Shepton can start finishing they will do ok this season, as they look as if they have the makings of a good young side.
For Merv - Shepton visit Melksham this Saturday, KO 3pm
For Prog notes - Hard to pick a MoM as everyone played well, but Tom, Ollie and Cormac all had exceptional games.

Team
1.T.Easterbrook
2.G.Morris-Edwards
3.O.Bryant....cautioned
4.C.Pike
5.J.Billing....cautioned
6.C.Loxton....cautioned
7.J.Goodall
8.T.Hill
9.T.Pollard
10.J.Morgan
11.A.Willmott

subs used
E.Nicholson
C.Sanford

attendance 116