CRUISE CONTROL FOR THE MALLET

against visitors Wadebridge after taking an early two goal lead, and they went on to knock another five goals in before the Cornish side netted two late consolation goals to give some respectability to the scoreline.
The first attack of the game saw Shepton's Dave Stone tripped up in the opposing box with just over a minute played, before the Shepton front man dusted himself down to hit the resultant penalty past visiting keeper Ben Hurst to give Shepton an early lead. Jordan Townsley and then Joe Burnell went close to adding to the home side's tally before James Billing did just that in the 12 minute with a side footed effort past Hurst from 10 yards following a good set up involving Burnell and Tyson Pollard. Ryan Mitchell, Ash Willmott and Stone all had chances to add to the scoreline before Shepton's third goal came following a good run from Harry Paice, who set up Burnell for a shot that was blocked but not cleared, the ball falling nicely for Townsley who followed up to finish off with their 3rd after 25 minutes. It only took Townsley two minutes to double his tally and net Shepton's fourth when he beat Hurst with a fine header from Willmott's cross, and with 10 minutes to go to the break, Townsley went close to completing his hat trick, shooting just too high at the end of a fine Shepton move involving Paice, Billing and Stone. Hurst then saved well from Willmott before the visitors had a couple of chances themselves as half time loomed, when Nick Hurst and then Nick Dowling pressurised the home goal for virtually the first time in the game, the latter bringing the first save of the afternoon from Steve Phillips in the home goal.
Burnell dragged a shot wide and Stone had a shot easily saved by Hurst just before the turnround, but in the opening 15 minutes of the second period Shepton went to sleep, and their passing, more than useful in the first half, went to pieces for a while. Nick Hurst, far and away Wadebridge's best player, helped set up chances for Luke Hodge and Sam Gergen before Dowling went close just before the one hour mark. The home side then resumed their authority and bagged another three goals in a devastating 12 minute period, commencing with a 63rd minute individual goal scored by Stone, who outpaced a couple of defenders before squeezing a shot in at the near post, with a linesman confirming that the ball had crossed the line after a debate with an unsure referee. Hurst went close to putting some respectability on the scoreline for his side before Townsley completed his hat trick with a 74th minute strike , his 25 yard effort taking a slight deflection but rightly being credited to the Shepton frontman. Two minutes later Shepton substitute Kailin Gould put Shepton in seventh heaven when he scored at the third time of asking, knocking the ball in from 12 yards after his first two attempts had been blocked. With the result now a foregone conclusion, Shepton switched off again and allowed Wadebridge to hit them with two quick goals on the break in the space of 90 seconds, firstly through Nick Hurst and then when Liam Dingle replicated Hurst's conversion after 79 minutes. Late on Willmott had two chances to score an 8th for the home side, but as it was they ran out comfortable winners to progress to the next round after a comfortable win.
In some ways this was a a strange game, with Shepton demonstrating some wonderful attacking play for long periods, but occasionally lapsing into periods of slack passing, profligate finishing and awful defending. The 7-2 scoreline could have been 12 - 4 but in the end was pretty emphatic so well done the boys and here's to further success in the next round. Jordan just shaded the MoM honours from Joe Burnell, with play anywhere Bills also doing a fine job alongside Joe in midfield, and full backs Harry Paice and the fit again Ryan Mitchell also standing out. Tyson also did a fine job until he was forced off with an injury early in the second period, so all in all a great result for Joner's squad.

Team

1. S.Phillips
2. H.Paice
3. R.Mitchell
4. L.Watson
5.N.Hudson
6. J.Burnell
7. T.Pollard
8. J.Billing.....scored one goal
9. J.Townsley.....scored three goals
10. D.Stone.....scored two goals
11. A.Willmott

Subs used
K.Gould.....scored one goal
D.Lock
J.Morgan

attendance 84