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Mens First XI News
15/07/2010 Torpids 0 - 4 Shepton Mallet 1st XI Last week Shepton demonstrated some delightful hockey but in a game of missed chances the superior hockey of national league Bath Buccs shone through, which sees them some six leagues higher than Shepton in the winter league programme of fixtures. So when Shepton travelled to Weston based team Torpids who sit just two leagues higher, Shepton were somewhat more confident of their chances. Shepton however started very much on the back foot and some changes to the team took some time to bed in. The midfield was bossed by new duo Lee Turner and Alex Reina and Centre Backs James Woolf and Dave Benmate ensured that every attack was thwarted. Shepton went ahead through their first real attack when on the counter, Brett Orrell played a pin point pass through to James Fry who superbly passed his marker and slotted the ball home past the diving keeper. This opened the flood gates and Shepton in quick succession added two more; the first coming from debutant Doug Frapper-Longwood when he picked the ball up on the edge of the D and reverse hit a shot into the top corner. Shepton’s third came again from Fry who played a delightful one-two with Callum Woolf before slipping it underneath the keeper. Shepton continued to hunt for more goals with chances falling to Chris Reina and Will Shean but in the end it was the half time whistle that ended the pressure. The second half saw Torpids more organised and Michael Spencer at left back had to be on top form to prevent the pacey right winger from getting the better of him. Torpids gradually began to make chances and won a succession of short corners which Tom Ward in the Shepton goal who had been a spectator until now was more than equal too. Shepton’s fourth came again on the break when Man of the Match Fry rounded the back of the Torpids defence and slipped the ball back to Jamie Phillips who finished first time in off the post. Next Thursday sees Shepton host Robinsons who sit some 5 leagues higher than this small rural club who are very much punching above their weight!
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08/07/2010 Barbarians 1 - 4 Shepton Mallet 1st XI Following last summer's promotion into the top flight of the Bristol Summer Hockey League, Shepton were keen to ensure they put up reasonable fight against far superior opposition. Fixtures for this short four month summer season sees the small Shepton Mallet based team up against the likes of Bath Buccs and Firebrands who are fighting for national league hockey. This week saw Shepton travel to Clevedon, looking for their first win of the season. The whole team started well and within two minutes were one to the good following a good move down the right that saw Callum Wolff feed Chris Reina in for Shepton’s first. Shepton restarted the game keen to keep the opposition under pressure. The midfield duo of C. Wolff and Alex Reina ensured that play very much stayed within the opposition's half. Shepton’s second goal came just minutes later when A. Reina passed the ball to Mike Pearson who scuffed a shot past the stranded keeper. Shepton continued to push with wingbacks Michael Spencer and Brett Orrell pushing hard. Winger Jamie Phillips picked up the ball off a poor clearance and slipped Marcus Bowman through for Shepton’s third. The second half Shepton were keen to build upon their impressive three goals but Barbarians put up a fight and centre backs James Wolff and Lee Turner had to continually break up the oppositions attack. Even keeper Tom Ward who had been a spectator for much of the first half was called into action on several occasions pushing balls just past the post. It was an excellent piece of passing that was Shepton’s undoing that saw Barbarains claw a goal back. Shepton responded in excellent fashion when Will Shean picked up a poor Barbarians pass and found Fry to run the ball into the opposition D to win a short corner which C. Reina duly dispatched. Man of the match was James Wolff for his faultless return at the heart of the Shepton defence. Next week sees the confident Shepton side travel to table toppers Bath Buccs. Shepton are also keen to hear from anyone who is interested in playing for the club, whatever their age or level. Please visit www.smhc.gb.com or phone Tom on 07894 223 556 for more information.
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27/02/2010 Shepton Mallet 1st XI 1 - 1 Bristol Uni 3rd XI Following the previous weeks thumping of third place Bath Buccs, Shepton went into the game full of confidence. The midfield duo of Alex Reina and Josh Patterson showed great presence and controlled the middle of the park. Wingers Chris Reina and James Fry were making threatening runs and chances fell to Shepton throughout the opposition D. In truth Shepton could of been three nil up after 15 minutes but a combination of missed chances and last ditch defending meant it wasn’t to be. The final 10 minutes of the half saw Shepton on the back foot and the defence had to be on form to thwart Bristol’s attacks. Tom Ward in the Shepton goal was called into action shortly before the half ended when the Bristol forward found himself through on goal only to be cleanly taken out. Shepton restarted the second half showing more character and a number of short corners were won by man of the match Mike Pearson one of which C.Reina coolly dispatched with. Bristol turned the screw and put wing backs Michael Spencer and Will Shean under great pressure. It was a short corner in the final 5 minutes that was Shepton’s undoing when a defensive mix up between keeper and defender resulted in the ball crossing the line. Shepton pushed for the winner but it wasn’t to be and a draw was probably a fair result. With other fixtures going Shepton’s way they hold onto third and are still in the hunt for promotion as they travel to Bath Buccs next week in search of winning ways.
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20/02/2010 Bath Buccs E 0 - 7 Shepton Mallet 1st XI Following a disappointing loss in last week’s nine goal thriller Shepton travelled to third place Buccs with a bare 11 all knowing that a good result was required. Shepton started well although neither side really staked an early claim on the game. Shepton looked positive going forward but some defensive play was a little lacklustre. It was on the counter attack that Shepton’s Mike Pearson won a short corner which Chris Reina promptly dispatched. It was Pearson who again who was central in Shepton’s second just minutes later when he latched on to a cross from Andy Boyce and made the score line two nil. Buccs looked to get a hold in the game and won a couple of short corners which runners Glen Treasure and Dave Benmate courageously blocked. Alex Reina was the architect in Shepton’s third shortly before the break when he slipped inside his defender and put Boyce through to hammer home. Shepton restarted the second half keen to build upon their lead and it was A.Reina who this time fed his brother Chris for Shepton’s fourth. Buccs again looked to put pressure on the Shepton defence for the next 5 minutes and a couple of begging crosses flew through the D but wing backs Michael Spencer and Will Morrison kept any attacks at Bay. Shepton’s fifth came from an expertly won short corner from Pearson which Boyce again hammered home through the keeper’s legs. It was man of the match Boyce who bagged his third and fourth in open play following assists from C. Reina and Pearson to make Sheptons lead unassailable at seven nil. Shepton look to take this much improved form into next week’s fixture against top of the table Bristol Uni.
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13/02/2010 Shepton Mallet 1st XI 4 - 5 Wootton Bassest 1st XI Following a string of wins Shepton can be disappointed to lose their undefeated home record and to not out of taken something out of this encounter. In a game of missed chances, lucky breaks and poor defending at times this game had everything and was one that the spectators enjoyed even if the Shepton players were not so ecstatic! Wootton started well and the in form forward beat his man to put a cross in to the D only for the Shepton right back to turn it into his own goal. One nil down in the first minute Shepton turned on the pressure and were unfortunate not to have a goal given just minutes after. It was Wootton who scored again when a mazy dribble beat the defenders and wrong footed Ward in the Shepton goal. Shepton piled on the pressure and it wasn’t long before Chris Reina halved the deficit with a fiery shot into the bottom corner. It was Wootton again who pinched their third just before half time when again the cross beat the Shepton Defence. Shepton restarted the second half full of spirit and the midfield Reina brothers battled hard with Chris setting up Andy Boyce for Shepton’s second. Endeavouring to tie the game Shepton slipped up at the back when an attack from the left and a superb flick left Ward with no chance. Wingers Mike Squire and Jack Patterson started to stretch the game but it was Man of the Match Chris Reina who again brought Shepton within one goal from the flick spot when Mike Pearson was pulled down in the D. Shepton continued to push and a shot from A.Reina found its way to Mike Pearson who made the score 4 all. Wootton turned on the pressure and in form Ward in the Shepton goal was making spectacular saves and one-on-one interception to keep the score tied. This wasn’t enough though as a bobbling ball found its way to the Wootton forward who struck the ball home. Shepton pilled on the pressure and should have equalised in the dying seconds but it wasn’t to be and although disappointed all players can hold their heads high as they all put everything into the game.
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06/02/2010 Old Bristolians 2nd XI 1 - 2 Shepton Mallet 1st XI Shepton travelled to Bristol with the bare 11 this week which gave four second team players opportunity to make the step up. This lack of playing time together and switch round of some regular positions did little to dampen spirits and the players quickly settled into the game. The opening minutes were dominated by a pressing OB’s midfield who did all they could to stop Shepton entering their half but soon the deadlock was broken with a quick break; Shepton forward Andy Boyce latching on to a pass and just managing to keep the ball in play to cross for Mike Squire who aptly lifted the ball over the diving keeper’s legs. Much of the play remained in the middle of the park and both teams biding their time to create an opening; Alex Reina was called into action to make plenty of tackles to stop any potential threat. Unfortunately towards the end of the half OB’s created some space and ex-Shepton man Simon Hutchinson broke free to expertly blast the ball home. The second half saw Shepton play some confident attacking Hockey and a number of chances were created with Neil Billing, Chris Reina and Squire making several threatening runs forward. It was an OB’s mistake that led to Shepton’s winning goal however when a back pass was intercepted by James Fry who managed a pass to captain C. Reina; a weaving run around the back-tracking defender and shot flew under the charging keeper. OB’s did not give up however and continued to pressurize. They managed to force 4 short corners which were dealt with by keeper Luigi Fauceglia and defenders Scott Beeching, Darryl Chainey, Mike Spencer and Man of the match Jack Patterson. A tense moment at the end saw the final whistle blow and a final short corner that had to be cleared; after an initial save and follow up shot Spencer was able to deflect the ball out of play and signal the end of what was a well battled encounter. Next week sees Shepton play Wooton Basset at home at 2:30.
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30/01/2010 Shepton Mallet 1st XI 5 - 3 West Wilts 2nd XI Following a disappointing loss last week to league leaders Bristol UWE, Shepton were keen to get their promotion hopes back on track with a win against league strugglers West Wilts. On paper this should of been a walk in the park for title chasing Shepton Mallet but with the West Wilts first team game called off, the opposition showed up with a very handy full squad of 16 as well as coaching staff. From the off Shepton were under the cosh and were 2 nil down inside of 15 minutes. The game looked to be slipping away from the home side but with the midfield duo of Chris and Alex Reina performing well the away side started to find themselves penned into their own half. It was wingers Mike Squire and James Fry that linked up for Sheptons first that saw Fry harmer the ball home. It was Fry just 5 minutes later who levelled the score with a pinpoint pass from Mike Pearson that saw Fry double his tally. With Shepton on the attack and pressing forward it was West Wilts who went in at half time 3-2 up following a defensive mix up leaving Tom Ward in goal with no chance. A hard team talk saw Shepton fly out of the traps and the first 10 minutes required Shepton to work hard with wing backs Michael Spencer and Will Shean supporting attacks well. It was Shean who fed Pearson through to take Sheptons third. Pearson again was involved as the architect that saw C.Reina ride two fouls before scoring Sheptons fourth. Shepton now playing with some real flow and passion extended their lead when Pearson fed in Andy Boyce to finish the game 5-3. Man of the match went too A. Reina although rocks at the back Chainey and Mcewan deserve a mention for their tireless tackling. Shepton travel to Old Bristonians this Saturday in a hunt for another three points.
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16/01/2010 Shepton Mallet 1st XI 1 - 0 Mendip 1st XI Shepton ended 2009 with a disappointing loss against second from bottom and were hopeful of starting the new year with a win as they faced bottom of the league. This was the first game of 2010 for both teams and it showed as fitness was low and at time the hockey was sloppy so Shepton were happy to walk away with all three points despite fancying themselves for being on the right end of an emphatic score line. The game started at a slow pace with midfield duo Chris and Alex Reina having to battle for possession. Within 10 minutes of the start though Shepton looked to take control of the game and runs down the wing from James Weelen and Mike Squire were stretching the Mendip defence. Shepton forwards Mark Nash and man of the match Mike Pearson struggled to find space and lose there markers as Mendip camped out in their own half. This tight defensive play from Mendip frustrated Shepton and not many chances were being made. The only real positive chance for Shepton in the first half resulted a wide shot from C.Reina being turned into his own goal by the Mendip keeper. The second half started much how the first ended with Shepton pressing their opposition and the Shepton defence only involvement was to join into the attacks. Wingbacks Will Shean and Michael Spencer looked good going forward with some good balls in and supporting their wingers well. Centre Backs Glen Treasure and Darrell Chainey swept up any Mendip attempted breakaways to ensure that Tom Ward in the Shepton goal was little more than a spectator. Shepton were aware that a 1 nil lead was not enough and pushed Ben McEwan and James Fry into the attack in an attempt to create further chances but the now much improved Mendip goalkeeper kept the scoreline at 1-0. Shepton can be pleased with the result but need to up their work rate as they go into next week’s fixture away to top of the league Bristol UWE.
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06/12/2009 Shepton Mallet 1st XI 1 Bristol dominated the early knockings and wing backs Michael Spencer and Will Shean had to endure wave after wave of attacks. The midfield looked to give the defence a rest and looked to counter attack where possible, the closest being when an aerial ball from Shean in his own 25 put Jack Patterson through who was unlucky to not to beat the keeper who came flying out of his goal. The half ended all level with Shepton not having as much possession as they would like but were making more chances. Shepton started the second half knowing that an early goal was needed, Chris Reina up front started brightly with wingers David Graham and James Fry supporting where possible. Bristol soon picked up the ball again and rather than testing the wing backs they tried to drive through the middle, most attacks were thwarted by defensive midfielder and man of the match Alex Reina. Centre backs Darrell Chainey and Glen Treasure were also in top form as they defended tightly and gave very little away. Sheptons breakthrough came mid way through the half when a counter attack found Patterson in space who superbly squared to Gus Pearson who finished off at the second time of asking. The next 15 minutes saw Shepton defending harder than ever and Tom Ward in the Shepton goal was called into action on several short corners. Shepton could of pinched a second goal but this was not to be and are more than happy to steal 3 points away from the league leaders. Sitting joint third in the league Shepton look forward to Saturday as they face second bottom of the league Westbury & UB, 2:30pm start at Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre.
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Following a disappointing loss last week, Shepton were keen to pick themselves up with a mid table clash against North Wilts. Both teams went into the game determined to win 50/50s and thus a game full of passion and grit unfolded. Both midfields struggled to dominate the game, although the Shepton duo of the Reina brothers held firm and kept any North Wilts attack at bay. The North Wilts wingers started to find space and wing backs Will Shean and Michael Spencer had to hold firm. It was from such an attack that North Wilts drew first blood as a Shepton mix up left the away forward in front of goal and gave Ward no chance. 0-1. North Wilts continued to attack well and defenders Glen Treasure, Darrel Chainey and Gus Pearson had to be on top of their game as did Ward who was called into action with several reaction saves. From this solid defensive performance Shepton got back into the game and it was a spritely counter attack from Mike Squire who fed James Fry to draw level. 1-1. The second half saw Shepton come flying out and dominate the first 20 minutes. Their attacking efforts were soon rewarded when Fry once again was involved as he won a short corner that C.Reina sent home. 2-1. Reina should of doubled his tally when he was tumbled through on goal and then sent the flick straight down the keepers throat. Fry once again was denied an opportunity close to the end when a superbly lofted ball from Luke Branley was disallowed for dangerous play. Shepton's frustrations and North Wilts lack of ability to build up any threatening attacks resulted in a mêlée of players following an exchange of words which saw the Shepton keeper and North Wilts forward sin binned. Chainey stepped up to take on the goalie duties and earned himself man of the match.
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