Shepton were almost denied their win at Bridgwater by a controversial late penalty, only for Elliot Nicholson to ensure justice was done deep in stoppage time.
A fast start from both teams saw Callum Ham's well hit shot for the hosts matched by a super Tom Easterbrook save, before Bridgwater keeper Jake Vinery rescued his side as he dived to thwart Tyson Pollard after good work from Jack Goodall. Ash Willmott fizzed a 20 yard effort just too high, before Easterbrook made another spectacular stop, this time tipping a dipping long range bullet from Shaun Copp over the bar on 17 minutes, and 5 minutes later Copp dragged his side's next chance well wide. Pollard raced upfield from the restart and crossed well only for Willmott to head a good chance off target. Shepton were soon ahead however, when Tom Hill did well to dispossess an opponent in the 25th minute, before sending Joe Morgan away. Morgan in turn fed George Carey before picking up Carey's return pass and hitting a low 20 yard shot into the corner past Viney. Steve Holland almost brought his side level within two minutes, only for Easterbrook to make his 3rd eye catching save of the game, and from then up to the break, a strong James Billing headed clearance from a Bridgwater whipped in corner repelled the hosts only other serious threat of the half. Kyle Paine put the first shot of the second period wide of a Shepton post, before Viney had an easy save from Goodall's underhit shot. On 58 minutes Kurt Robinson fired wide for the home side, before Shepton substitute Elliot Nicholson raced clear of the Bridgwater defence and looked sure to test Viney until Jake Llewellyn scrambled back to tackle Nicholson and rub out the danger. With 15 minutes left, Morgan did well to gain possession and send Hill away on a strong run, before Hill fed Pollard. Viney did well to save Pollard's goalbound shot, and then saved Nicholson's follow up. Goodall cleared out Bridgwater's next threat, before former Shepton player and Bridgwater substitute Syd Camper cleared the bar by two yards from 25 yards. Shepton seemed to be doing well enough to see out the 90 minutes, but after clearing an 86th minute corner for a throw in, an unseemly skirmish in the Shepton goalmouth involving co-manager Craig Loxton, who had a fine game, was followed by vociferous appeals from most of the home side and incredulously culminated in a penalty award and a caution for Loxton. It obviously took two to tango, and as the ball was in touch at the time of the incident, the award seemed harsh, especially when Ham drove the spot kick past Easterbrook. To their credit, having protected their now eroded lead for much of the second period, Shepton went back on the offensive late on and Pollard almost got a shot away as stoppage time neared. And just when a draw seemed certain, Shepton carved out a 93rd minute winner, after the battling Hill earned his side a free kick 25 yards out. Hill or Pollard have been taking our free kicks this season, but it was Loxton, poetically perhaps after conceding the penalty, who hit a fine shot that was heading for the top corner until Viney tipped it onto the bar at full stretch. The ball did not go dead however, and Ollie Bryant did brilliantly to react first and knock the ball to the far post from a tight angle with a scissor kick, for Nicholson to rush in and smash it into the roof of the net from 5 yards, to end an exhillerating contest.
A fine all round team effort saw Shepton home and it would be unfair on half a dozen others to call a man of the match, so those who were their can choose your own.
Team
1.T.Easterbrook
2. J.Goodall....cautioned
3.O.Bryant
4.G.Morris-Edwards
5.J.Billing
6.C.Loxton....cautioned
7.G.Carey
8.T.Hill
9.T.Pollard
10.J.Morgan....scored one goal
11.A.Willmott

sub used
E.Nicholson..........scored one goal

attendance 164