03/12/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI 7 - 0 Bath Buccs 7th XI

Bath turned up short and had to resort to very defensive tactics which somewhat spoilt the game. They packed out the D and limited Shepton to 7 goals after 70 minutes.

Goals scored by:

Andy Boyce 4

Mark Nash 1

Andy Campbel-Orde 1

Tom Wood 1

Phillips Tyres man of the match: Alex Goodliff

26/11/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI  4 - 2 City of Bath 3rd XI

Shepton successfully collected all three points from last Saturdays dual with City of Bath. A number of regular players had been called up to support the 1st eleven as a result a number of players had to start the match out of their regular positions. Shepton soon found their rhythm and were soon piling the pressure on to the Bath defense forcing the visiting keeper to save a number of efforts by Andy Boyce and Ben Blinman in the first quarter. The opening goal came when a Ben Blinman effort beat the keeper. Shepton continued to apply the pressure and were awarded a series of Short corners. Joe Campbell-Orde stepped up and executed a superb drag flick.

City of Baths frustration soon came to the boil and their centre midfield saw a yellow card for a late challenge. Shepton however were unable to capatilse on the advantage and went into the half time break still at 2-0

The second half showed a similar display of pressure by Shepton. Joe Campbell-Orde added a second to his tally when he beat two defenders before finding the back boards. Bath played some good hockey and found a goal with 20 minutes to go after picking their way through the Shepton midfield and defense. Andy Campbell-Orde may it 4-1 with 5 minutes to go but Shepton let another goal through their defense. Overall this was a good result for a team with a number of key players missing and they can take a lot of positives into next weeks match. Phillips Tyres man of the match was Joe Campbell-Orde.

19/11/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI     3 - 0 Marlborough 3rd XI

Shepton Mallet travelled to Marlborough for an  early push back  this week. The team started confidently after last weeks win knowing that Marlborough would be stiff opposition. The opening exchanges saw both sides test the keepers and Shepton had to settle quickly into their game to prevent Marlborough from opening the scoring. The first goal came mid way through the first half when  Tom Wood won a free hit which was taken quickly with a pin point injection in on goal. Amid the confusion between Marlborough keeper and centre back Joe Stanbridge picked up a bobbling ball on his reverse to convert.

Shepton then started to dominate the play with the whole team marking and passing well. They were awarded a second goal soon after when a storming run by James Weelen allowed Mike Squire to find space and pick up the second. Shepton were three clear by the break when another superb finish by Squire beat the keeper.

The second half saw a more determined Marlborough and they worked hard to break down the Shepton attacks, Shepton, however held strong with the defense on Mike Spencer, Des Osborne and Man of the Match Mike Reina making solid tackles. Luigi Fauceglia in the Shepton goal was call upon a number of times to ensure that Shepton maintained their clean sheet.

Shepton were unlucky not to get further goals after effort by Mark Nash were saved on the line by some desperate Marlborough defending. Overall the team played some of the best hockey the season has seen this season and sees them securing their position in 2nd place in the league.

12/11/2011

Shepton Mallet 1st XI       6 - 1 West Wilts 4th XI

Shepton returned to the pitch after a week off and were soon on the back foot when the visitors were able to take advantage of some poor marking to execute a well worked routine to give them the lead within five minutes.

Shepton soon settled in to their game and the defense of Mike Reina, Des Osborne and Mike Spencer started controlling the game. The addition of Mike Squire up front gave Shepton a new outlet and they drew level after Squire beat his marker and found the corner of the goal from the top of the D. Shepton were now back in the game and started to dominate. The midfield combination of Tom Wood, Alex Goodliff and Scott Beeching worked tirelessly to pen back West Wilts in the centre of the pitch. Another well  worked routine by Shepton found Squire on his own to pick his spot and score Sheptons second goal.

Shepton started the second half well and continued to dominate the play. Shepton had a number of chances saved by the keeper or going the wrong side of the post. Mid way through the second half Neil Billing finished off after a goal mouth scramble to claim Shepton's third goal. Minutes later it was Billing again who found himself with only the keeper to beat and calmly picked his spot between the keeper and post.

The last 5 minutes saw Shepton go all out to reinforce their dominance and scored a further two goals through Ben Blinman and Squire to make his hattrick. Phillips Tyres Man of the Match was Alex Goodliff.

29/10/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI    5 - 2 Wootton Bassett 2nd XI           

Shepton Mallet continued their strong run of form with a well earned victory over Wootton Bassett. Shepton started strongly with some good passing by all members of the team. Both sides pushed to break the deadlock with efforts going inches wide or saved by some excellent saves by both sides keepers. Shepton however found the back boards through Ben Blinman after some excellent build up and controlling play by the midfield of Tom Wood, James Weelen and Neil Billing . Wootton wouldn’t roll over and soon drew level through a short corner.

Shepton worked hard and went into the half time break back in the lead after Mark Nash's effort beat the Wootton keeper. The half time team talk settled the team and ensured that the second half didn’t start with the sloppy play sometimes seen within the team.

Shepton came out of the blocks flying and were soon 2 goals clear after Mike Squire took the ball past three defenders before slotting into the goal. Wootton still weren’t beat and managed to claw a goal back after Shepton failed to clear their lines.

Shepton instantly responded with the whole team working the ball into the Wootton D, whilst the initial reverse stick shot by Joe Campbell-Orde was blocked the follow up sweep in was tapped  in by the ever industrious Squire, 4-2. Ben Blinman picked up his second of the day after beating his defender and clearing the keeper. Shepton can celebrate a well earned victory against one of their toughest opponents in the league.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match was Tom Wood.

22/10/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI 20 - 0 Devizes 3rd XI

We scored lots of goals:

Ben Blinman 6

Joe Campbel-Orde 4

Dylan Lacey 3

Mark Nash 3

Neil Billing 2

James Weelen 1

Charles Parry 1

Phillips Tyres man of the Match Ben Blinman

08/10/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI 0 - 2 West Wilts 3rd XI

After opening their league campaign with an imposing win last week Shepton travelled full of confidence to West Wilts. The hosts started strongly however and applied the pressure from the off. Shepton’s defense of Mike Reina, Des Osborne and Andy Campbell-Orde held strong to thwart the attacks. West Wilts continued to dominate the play and were on the score sheet inside 10 minutes. It was then Shepton’s turn to apply the pressure. Andy Boyce, Joe Campbell-Orde and Mark Nash were unlucky on a number of occasions in front of goal with efforts going wide or over the keeper. The half ended with a number of short corners being awarded to Shepton but they were unable to convert and Andy Boyce had to leave the pitch after being hit on the head.

The second half saw Shepton continue to struggle to find the target. West Wilts caught Shepton napping and capitalised to get a second goal. Shepton were not downhearted and continued to play competitive hockey to the final whistle. Overall a disappointing result however the team can take the positive team play and enthusiasm forward into next weeks challenge against a strong Marlborough team. Phillips Tyres Man of the Match was Luigi Fauceglia

26/03/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI   1 – 1 Swindon 3rd XI

Shepton travelled to Swindon for their final encounter of the season with only ten men due to a last minute player absence. They were determined to complete the season unbeaten and managed to do so in a valiantly battled match that saw some very defensive hockey played. It was Swindon that were on the attack from the off but some decisive tackling in the midfield from Tom Wood and Phillips Tyres man of the match Paul Townsend ensured that Shepton were able to counter attack effectively. A searing run from James Weelen on the wing set Shepton up for a short corner and after an initially deflected shot Neil Billing blasted the ball across the goal mouth for Ben Blinman to neatly deflect the ball into the net. Shortly after this Blinman could have doubled his tally when Mark Nash threaded the ball through to the top of the D for a shot to be placed through the opposing keepers’ legs and roll just wide of the target.

Shepton earned a well-deserved break for half time and the team talk largely focussed on the need to keep possession as they knew that Swindon would try and capitalise on the extra man in the second half as legs began to tire. This factor coupled with the sweltering heat really did have an effect of the team but the resolute defence of Des Osborne, Glen Treasure, Mike Reina and ‘keeper Luigi Fauceglia held firm to limit Swindon to only one goal scored midway through the half despite a number of shots both on and off target. The final whistle eventually blew and an exhausted Shepton could celebrate their invincible season scoring 133 goals and conceding only 10. An excellent year for all to be proud of. Well played!

19/03/2011

Shepton Mallet 2nd XI 5 - 0 West Wilts 5th XI

Sheptons’ final home match of the season saw another three points secured in an emphatic victory over the visitors. The home side had to make do without the goal machine of Mark Nash, frustrations told as early efforts were thwarted by the defence or crept the wrong side of the post. Tom Wood and Lewis Duchezeau again dominated in the midfield out-skilling the opposition, this lead to a number of short corners which Shepton failed to convert. The break came after James Weelen galloped down the base line and slotted with pin point accuracy between the keeper and the post. Andy Campbell-Orde soon added another bringing his total for the season to 15 before Tom Wood collected a well-deserved goal with a superb smash which beat the charging keeper.

The second half was a similar affair with Shepton controlling the pace of play. Glen Treasure, Mike Reina and Phillips Tyres Man of the Match Des Osbourne drew out the West Wilts attacking making some large spaces in which Shepton could attack. Sheptons 4th goal came after another group of short corners. The initial shot by Duchezeau was saved but Neil Billing tapped in the rebound. Shepton's final goal came with ten minutes to go when another surging run by Weelen followed by an excellent cross allowed Brett White to hit home.
Next week’s final league match sees Shepton travel to Swindon.

12/03/2011

City of Bath 4th XI     0 - 1 Shepton Mallet 2nd XI

Following some high scoring matches in the last couple of weeks the champions travelled to City of Bath for an early fixture with an expectation of a much tougher match. Shepton started slowly with a number of loose balls being picked up by the opposition and transferred around the pitch with ease. City of Bath pushed into the Shepton D and keeper Luigi Fauceglia had to make some crucial saves after having a couple of quiet weeks in the Shepton goal. Shepton soon got into their stride and started to apply pressure in the midfield as wingers James Weelen and Andy Campbell-Orde made some pressing runs with efforts by Mark Nash and Brett White going inches wide.

Both side continued to press to find the break and Shepton were rewarded with a short corner. A goal mouth scramble ensued with Brett White attacking the pads of the Bath keeper. Campbel Orde managed to get the ball away for a strike of his own but was saved but Neil Billing stepped up to pick up the rebound and bumble the ball over the line.

The second half saw a continuation of the competitive exchanges with both sides putting their all into every loose ball. The defence of Glen Treasure, Mike Reina,  Des Osborne and Paul Townsend dealt with the Bath attacks efficiently and allowed Tom Wood to dominate the midfield. The advantage of substitutes allowed City of Bath to threaten to the last attack and were unlucky not to draw level. However, Shepton held firm and collected all three points and maintain their unbeaten season with only two games remaining.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Luigi Fauceglia