Shepton Mallet fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Portsmouth Wessex League side Baffin Milton Rovers, bowing out of the cup despite a valiant effort from the squad.

Shepton started brightly, with Josh Jenkins testing the home goalkeeper in just the 3rd minute with an angled shot that was pushed away at the near post. Charlie Bateson, Cam Allen, and Jenkins all had early chances, keeping the pressure on. Baffin's first opportunity came in the 12th minute when Charlie Bell sliced his shot well wide of the target.

Soon after, a rare error from Shepton's Monty Burgess allowed Baffin's former Football League player, Brett Pitman, to send a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Ethan Witchell's timely interception spared Shepton as Arty Kerton looked to pounce.

Shepton's player-manager Aaron Seviour tried his luck from distance, but his shot was easily saved by Baffin's goalkeeper, Hardcastle. However, it was Baffin who struck first. In the 17th minute, Tyrhs Lukomyomi latched onto a long ball, which appeared to be offside, but the flag stayed down. Lukomyomi's shot from 20 yards beat Shepton keeper Tom Easterbrook, putting the home side 1-0 up.

Shepton responded well, creating several chances. Bateson's shot was turned away, Dylan Gould's effort was deflected for a corner, and Allen's free kick forced another corner. Just before the break, Jenkins nearly levelled the score, but his shot was blocked on the goal line with Hardcastle out of position.

After the restart, Easterbrook made a fine save to deny Lukomyomi's powerful shot, while at the other end, Bateson's strong run was cynically halted by Baffin's Charlie Oakwell, who was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card. From the resulting free kick, Cam Allen fired a brilliant 25-yard shot past Hardcastle, bringing Shepton level at 1-1.

Baffin retook the lead in the 60th minute after a corner led to a goalmouth scramble, with Danny Burroughs eventually slotting the ball past Easterbrook from close range. Shepton pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, forcing several corners, but the breakthrough never came. Luco Ponsillo came close with a miss-hit shot that was gathered by Hardcastle, while Matt Morris saw his stoppage-time effort deflected for yet another corner.

Despite the 2-1 loss, Shepton Mallet can be proud of their performance. Will Banks and Danny Constable successfully neutralised the threat of Pitman, and Nathan Legge impressed on his return from injury.

Attendance: 117

Shepton's next game is an FA Vase tie away at Callington FC in Cornwall on Saturday, 24th August. They then face neighbours Paulton Rovers in a league match on Tuesday, 27th August. After a narrow 2-1 defeat in their last encounter, Shepton will be looking to turn things around.

Come on the Mallet!