Match Report by Kevin O'Brien

After perhaps giving visitors Bradford a little too much respect early on and falling two goals behind, Shepton then found more belief and form to charge back into the contest either side of half time and ultimately share the spoils after another exciting game.
A relatively quiet opening 15 minutes was followed by a devastating 10 minute attacking spell from Bradford. The lively Will Hailston headed them in front after 17 minutes when he was first to reach Karim Rendall's cross five yards out, and Hailston was only denied his and his side's second two minutes later, by an excellent save by Tom Easterbrook. However, Dan Cottle had more luck, literally, on 22 minutes when what looked like a cross from wide out right somehow found the far top corner to beat Easterbrook and double Bradford's lead. Only another good save by the Shepton keeper kept it at two after 25 minutes when he saved a more orthodox attempt from Cottle, before Shepton then decided to join in with an attack or two of their own. Tom Hill hit a 25 yard screamer just wide, and then Craig Loxton had a shot blocked. Ollie Bryant, Hill and Joe Morgan then combined well to earn Shepton a corner, and from Tyson Pollard's cross George Morris-Edwards flashed a header across the face of the Bradford goalmouth, but then unfortunately out of play. However, five minutes before the break Shepton pulled a goal back after Pollard went on a mesmerising dribble before passing to Bryant, who picked out Ash Willmott with a long pass. Willmott did well to turn his marker and pick his spot from 15 yards to plant a low shot past Bradford keeper James Bartlett.
Pollard shot too high 3 minutes into the second period from Hill's pass, but he then turned provider on 55 minutes when his cross eluded Cameron Sanford's attempt at a shot but not Loxton, who calmly side footed a low shot into the bottom corner past Bartlett from 15 yards to bring Shepton level. Surprisingly, the visitors immediately took off their two goalscorers, and within two minutes had to replace one sub with their third and last sub available, Martin Lenihan, who might have put them back in front after an hour only to fire over from six yards. On 65 minutes Bradford's Mark Wall must have thought that his curler from 15 yards was going in until Easterbrook brought off a fantastic one handed save, tipping the shot onto the bar and over, before Bartlett made a good stop at the other end from Pollard's effort. With 15 minutes left, Bradford's Sam Jordan raced clear and looked certain to shoot past Easterbrook until Bryant raced back to make a superb tackle to take the ball off Jordan's toes. Ten minutes from the end Shepton had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Bartlett went walkabout by the side touchline, and was dispossessed by Pollard before he could clear the ball upfield. Pollard angled a run towards the unguarded goal as Bradford defenders scrambled back, only for Bartlett to hack him down from behind. Corner given, danger cleared. Easterbrook denied Wall again late on, but the Shepton keeper and any one of their back line of James Billing, Cormac Pike ,Morris-Edwards and Bryant could have had a shout for MoM as Shepton saw out the game for a well deserved point. Bryant gets the honour for the tackle of this or any game, as well as his assist for Willmott's goal.

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

sub used
C.Peck

attendance 109