Shepton Mallet Football Club celebrated a resounding 3-1 victory over Barnstaple Town, marking their third final appearance in the last six years and ending their season on a high note.

The match, filled with action and suspense, saw Shepton demonstrate their skill and teamwork, ultimately proving too strong for their opponents.

The game kicked off with an early challenge from Barnstaple, who missed a shot just wide of the goal. However, Shepton quickly responded with a goal in the 7th minute when Cam Allen's inswinging corner deceived Barnstaple's goalkeeper and found the back of the net. The early lead was short-lived as Barnstaple equalised minutes later with a headed goal from a free kick.

The match continued with intense competition, and numerous free kicks were awarded to both sides. Shepton's goalkeeper, Sam Jepson, showcased his reflexes by tipping a dangerous free kick over the bar, keeping the score level at half-time.

Emerging invigorated after the break, Shepton regained the lead four minutes into the second half. Jacob Sloggett, the team captain, broke through Barnstaple's defence and scored a brilliant angled shot from 20 yards out. Jepson continued his excellent form, saving a strong shot from Barnstaple's Scott Laird and maintaining Shepton's lead.

The victory was sealed in the 70th minute when Jepson's clearance found Josh Jenkins, who assisted Charlie Bateson in scoring from 18 yards, bringing the final score to 3-1. Despite further attempts, Barnstaple was unable to break through Shepton's robust defence.

The win is a significant achievement for Shepton Mallet, who have shown remarkable progress this season under the management of Aaron Seviour and assistant Matt Morris. The team finished 7th in the league, narrowly missing the playoffs by just one point. This season has been a record-breaking one for the club, achieving the highest number of points in its history and seeing an average attendance increase to 226.

The club's reserve team also had a stellar season, maintaining their unbeaten streak and winning both the Baxter Shield and the Clark Cup.

The club expressed its gratitude to everyone involved: "Congratulations to all players, management, backroom staff, committee members, and volunteers. You've done Shepton proud."

This victory not only highlights Shepton Mallet's growing prowess on the football field but also sets a promising tone for the upcoming seasons.