Two goals in three minutes late on saw Shepton eventually break down their resilient visitors, division one side Devizes Town, to progress to the quarter final stage of the league cup competition.
Although Shepton took charge from the first whistle and had plenty of possession and territory, they lacked the killer finish before the break and could not breach the well drilled Devizes defence, backed up by their able keeper Adam Walters.New signing Dale Hunt was at the heart of most of Shepton's attacking play, creating chances for Ollie Bryant, Tyson Pollard and Harry Ratcliffe, with Tom Hill chipping in with a 15th minute 25 yard effort that Walters did well to keep out. Soon after, Hunt combined with Joe Morgan who crossed for Hill to go close again with a header that was cleared off the line. Midway through the half Jack Goodall gave the home side a scare with an underhit headed pass back to keeper Tom Easterbrook, who only just got to the ball ahead of Devizes front man Ashley Lock. After Morgan had a goal rubbed out for offside, Hunt set up two chances for Pollard in quick succession, Walters saving both, the half ending with a Lock shot that flew high and wide.
Walters was soon busy after the restart, making further saves from Hunt and then Pollard, but Devizes then came out of their defensive shell and created three decent chances in a purple 10 minute patch that kept Easterbrook busy, as he saved well from Robbie Mitchell, Matt Russell and especially with a great save from a well struck Rory Collins shot. Shepton settled again going into the last quarter, and chances started to come again as Morgan shot wide from Pollard's pass, before Walters kept out a Pollard effort from Ash Willmott's cross. The breakthrough then came on 76 minutes from a well crafted move, as Pollard's cross reached Bryant , who cleverly back heeled the ball into the path of Morgan, who drilled an 18 yard angled shot past Walters. Two minutes later, Morgan headed a corner towards Willmott near the far post, who found the corner of goal from 5 yards out. Devizes had one late chance to keep the tie alive, but substitute Jamie Walters shot straight at Easterbrook when put through one on one with the keeper. Craig Loxton and Willmott almost added a third for Shepton in the last five minutes, who at times were made to work hard for their win and who remain unbeaten since the turn of the year. Hunt looks like he will be another good signing, as he took MoM honours on his debut.
This Saturday Shepton visit Clevedon Town, KO 3pm.

Team
1.T.Easterbrook
2.J.Goodall
3.O.Bryant
4.R.Padfield
5.J.Billing
6.C.Loxton
7.H.Ratcliffe
8.T.Hill
9.J.Morgan....scored one goal
10.T.Pollard
11.D.Hunt

subs used
A.Willmott....scored one goal
C.Peck

attendance 74