MALLET THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND

Match Report by Kevin O'Brien

Shepton go into the hat for the League Cup quarter finals after their 2-0 win at Division One side Ashton and Backwell, but had to work hard to protect their lead late on when the hosts tried hard to get back into the tie.
Shepton started well enough, Joe Morgan heading their first chance wide following a Tyson Pollard free kick, and they went ahead after 5 minutes after another Pollard free kick led to a game of head tennis in the home six yard area, before Liam Watson had the last word when he headed in from close range. Backwell's first effort came after 15 minutes from Miles Hardidge, whose shot brought a good save by Shepton keeper Tom Easterbrook, and a couple of minutes later Shepton doubled their lead. Backwell keeper Lewis Coombe got down to Pollard's powerful strike but could only parry the shot into the path of Morgan, who knocked it in from 10 yards. Although the home side started to see more of the ball, they struggled to penetrate Shepton's solid defence, in which Mitchell Probert was kept busy filling in at left back and up against Backwell's lively wide man Jake Flower, who headed their best chance before the break well wide. James Billing had a free kick saved by Coombe after half an hour, and just before the break Morgan missed a chance of adding a third for the visitors when he fired over the bar.
An hour had gone before the second half really got going, but then former Shepton player Miles Allen hit a decent effort just too high from 25 yards, and his colleague Aaron Allen shot wide for the hosts a couple of minutes later. Midway through the half Shepton's Cameron Sanford woefully skied a good chance, before Pollard went much closer as he brought a good save from Coombe with a well struck free kick. Sol Wanjau-Smith put Shepton's next chance wide, but going into the last 15 minutes Backwell hit a purple patch that on another day might well have got them back into the tie. Easterbrook made a fine save from Miles Allen's well hit shot on 77 minutes but at the expense of a corner that Easterbrook clawed away for another corner, this one met by Backwell's Jason Radnedge with a firm header that beat Easterbrook but not Shepton's Robert Banfield who cleared off the line. Then with five minutes to go Sol Shearer headed another home chance against the crossbar, but after riding their luck somewhat, Shepton finished strongly as substitute Harry Ritchie, returning after two months out with an injury, had three chances to add a third for his side. Pollard sent Ritchie racing clear before he lifted the ball over the advancing Coombe, but also a yard over the empty goal. In the last minute Ritchie headed another chance straight at Coombe, and had a shot blocked in stoppage time, although a third on the overall play would have been harsh on a spirited if sometimes indisciplined home side, who tested the referee's patience more than once.
Shepton are away to Hallen this Saturday, KO 3pm, with the reserves hosting Staplegrove in a cup tie, KO 3pm

Team
1.T.Easterbrook
2.R.Banfield
3.M.Probert
4.G.Morris-Edwards
5.J.Billing
6.L.Watson....scored one goal and cautioned
7.S.Wanjau-Smith
8.T.Pollard
9.J.Morgan....scored one goal
10.C.Sanford
11.A.Willmott

subs used
H.Ritchie
H.Radcliffe

attendance 41