MATCH REPORT: Calne Town 4, Shepton Mallet 2
Despite a second-half revival, Shepton Mallet left themselves with too much to do after shipping three goals in the opening half in their final match of the season at Calne Town.
Steve Allison gave the hosts a seventh-minute lead from close range and, although Shepton's Josh Egan almost equalised with a shot against the bar moments later and a Lucas Ward effort landed on the roof of the net, the hosts threatened to run away with the game.
In the 27th minute, Shepton keeper Dan Nolan was beaten by a 25-yard lob from Calne's Levi Cox, before both Cox and Allison hit shots against the visitors woodwork.
The hosts were not so fortunate in the 33rd minute when the home side broke upfield following a Shepton corner and Cox scored their third after rounding Nolan.
Robbie Maggs and George Booth missed chances to reduce the deficit before the break but Ward had more success ten minutes into the second half.
Conrad Peck, making his first senior start, did well to force a save from Calne keeper James Bartlett at the expense of a corner, and Ward headed the cross in at the far post.
Soon afterwards, Bartlett was busy again, saving well from a long-range Jon French effort and then again from Egan.
The pressure was rewarded with a second goal in the 63rd minute when leading scorer Ben Cleverley, despite playing in an unfamiliar full-back role, went on a mazy run past three Calne players before beating Bartlett at his near post from the edge of the box.
Egan went close to levelling the scores ten minutes from time but Cox completed his hat-trick at the other end to secure victory.
There was still time for Egan to hit the bar and Dave Thorne to blaze over but it was too late.
Shepton's seventh-place finish in Toolstation Division 1 matches their highest finish since returning to the league in 2000, and they have bettered their previous best points and goals total in the process.
Meanwhile, Shepton Reserves have two matches remaining, starting at home to Wrington Redhill on Saturday.
