MATCH REPORT: Shepton Mallet 6 Cheddar 3
Shepton Mallet hit local rivals Cheddar for six as they signed off their home season in Toolstation Division 1 with victory in an entertaining contest.
The visitors made the better start to the game and took the lead after just four minutes. Lee Bryant brought down Matt Connick on the edge of the area and, with the aid of a slight deflection, Billy Manning curled a free-kick into the far corner of the net.
Shepton took time to get into the game but when they did, they drew level midway through the half. Dave Thorne was given too much space in the box and he headed past Sam Talbot following a cross from the right.
Cheddar quickly regained the lead when they were awarded a penalty, with Raiff Gwinnett deemed to have clipped Connick and Manning scored his second from the spot.
The hosts got themselves level again just before the break, though, when Robbie Maggs brushed aside two tackles in a strong run down the right and his cross into the area was headed home by Lucas Ward.
Shepton got themselves ahead for the first time five minutes after the restart when Maggs turned his man in the box before firing into the roof of the net.
Cheddar came back strongly and Jamie Howson had a decent effort saved by Adam Garlick, while Manning had a goal that would have completed his hat-trick ruled out for offside.
The home called all the shots in the final third of the game, though and scored a fourth goal when Tim Thompson out jumped two defenders to head Ben Cleverley's corner into the net.
Shepton added a fifth when Maggs volleyed home following a fine run and cross from Gwinnett.
Cheddar reduced the arrears when Connick found the net with ten minutes to play but the home side completed the scoring when Josh Egan saw a shot come back off the far post and the unfortunate Martin Davis could only turn the ball into his own net.
Merv's merit marks - Shepton Mallet: A Garlick 6, R Gwinnett 7, L Bryant 7, J French 6, T Thompson 7, G Booth 8, B Cleverly 7, D Thorne 7, R MAGGS 9, J Egan 9, L Ward 7.
Cheddar: S Talbot 7, D Griffiths 6, J Underhill 7, S King 6, A Davis 6, W Scorse 7, M Connick 6, J Ellis 7, J Howson 7, B MANNING 7, A Btandrick 6.
Referee: D Bryant 8.
Entertainment value: 10.
