Shepton Mallet FC has enjoyed a successful pre-season, winning all but one of their matches. The sole exception was a close match against higher-ranked Frome Town FC.

Despite missing six key players, Shepton matched Frome for much of the game, narrowly losing 3-2 in a thrilling contest. A good-sized crowd left the match satisfied with the team's performance and determination.

Managerial praise and squad updates

Manager Aaron Saviour and Assistant Matt Morris deserve credit for retaining 90-95% of last season's squad. Additionally, familiar faces Tom Easterbrook, Fin Haines, and Danny Constable have returned to the club. New signings Monty Burgess and Cory Stock have added depth and quality to the squad, ensuring keen competition for starting places.

First league game highlights resilience

Shepton Mallet's first league and home game was against newly promoted Portishead Town. The match started unfavourably, with Shepton conceding a goal at 20 minutes, courtesy of Portishead's prolific scorer Ethan Feltham. The situation worsened when Dylan Gould was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. However, Shepton's depth and quality shone through as Charlie Bateson scored to secure a 1-1 draw.

Despite the positive result, the team faces challenges with four injured players. We wish them a speedy recovery. The commendable attendance for the match was 264.

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsorship remains crucial for the club's success. While the team is grateful for the current sponsors, opportunities are still available for Match Sponsorship, Player Sponsorship, and the affordable Seat Sponsorship at £20 for the season. One seat sponsor will be selected in a draw to receive hospitality for up to six people and a Season Ticket.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Shepton Mallet FC can contact any committee member for more details.

Looking ahead

As of this report, Shepton Mallet FC is preparing for a home match against Clevedon Town FC. More updates on this and future matches will follow.