Shepton Mallet put two past Mendip rivals Street

SHEPTON Mallet eventually overcame local rivals Street in a somewhat scrappy game that only came to life once the home side had gone in front shortly after the half hour mark.

Lowly Street had in the main dominated in the opening third of the contest, but once Shepton Mallet had gone in front, Street rarely threatened to break down a well organised Shepton Mallet back line.

The home side posed the first threat of the game, despite Street dominating in the opening period, as a Joe Morgan break down the right flank, saw his cross controlled well by Aaron Seviour almost on the penalty spot and his sharp turn saw his goal bound effort well blocked by the legs of James Regan.

Street to that point had dominated in terms of possession, but they failed to trouble Tom Easterbrook in the Shepton Mallet goal and with Shepton Mallet lifting themselves from a lethargic opening they came close to taking the lead on the half hour mark.

Brilliant link up play between Harley Prior and Seviour, saw the latter have a fine effort turned over the crossbar by Street keeper Liam Norris.

From the resulting Andy Martin corner, Joe Morgan steered his header inches the wrong side of an upright.

Shepton Mallet eventually went in front on 38 minutes when a Fin Wilkinson cross was fumbled by Norris who appeared to be impeded, but following a scramble in the goalmouth, Fin Haines smashed the ball into the back of the Street net from close range

On the stroke of half time Prior had an effort brilliantly saved by Norris, this after the keeper had dropped a Wilkinson corner and at this point the omens looked to be favouring Shepton Mallet who began to take control in the lead up to the half time interval.

Brad Reeves sent a 25 yard effort wide early in the second half for Street, but it was the home side who began to offer all the options as Craig Loxton was showing the finesse in the middle of the park for Shepton Mallet.

Loxton was instrumental in finding Nick Hewlett on the right hand side of the Street penalty area and the defenders deft touch in crossing the ball to Joe Morgan, saw the unmarked striker head the ball wide of Norris and into the back of the Street net to give Shepton Mallet a two goal lead.

Prior then had a couple of opportunities to get on the scoresheet and Seviour was unlucky to see a fine effort come back off an upright, it would have been fitting as Seviour who deserved a goal, but overall Shepton Mallet deserved their victory and they remain well placed to challenge for a top six spot.

As for Street, they produced moments of good football that in fairness belies their lowly position in the table, but if as seems likely that Harry Foster was carrying a late injury, Street cant really afford to be without their leading scorer this late in the season.