Shepton Mallet's festive fixtures: derby drama followed by Boxing Day brilliance

Shepton Mallet fans were treated to a rollercoaster of emotions over the festive period, kicking off with a fiery derby against rivals Street on 21st December before a dominant Boxing Day victory over Welton Rovers.

The pre-Christmas clash with Street saw tensions boil over both on and off the pitch as the visitors edged a hard-fought 2-1 win in front of a passionate crowd of 304. The heavy pitch conditions and full-blooded tackles set the tone for a bruising encounter, with nine yellow cards issued as the referee worked hard to keep a lid on proceedings.

Shepton started brightly, taking an early lead when Callum Gould coolly slotted home after a flowing move involving Ethan Witchell and Jake Sloggett. Street responded with a well-taken equaliser just before half-time, Harry Foster unleashing a stunning volley that flew into the top corner.

The second half saw Shepton miss a golden opportunity to regain the lead when Charlie Bateson's penalty was superbly saved by Street keeper Lewis Williams. As tempers flared and the pitch deteriorated, Freddie Haden's late strike sealed the points for Street, his speculative shot sneaking through a crowded box into the bottom corner. Despite the defeat, Dylan Gould impressed for Shepton and was named Man of the Match.

The derby may have left Shepton licking their wounds, but Boxing Day brought a festive tonic in the form of a commanding 5-0 win over struggling Welton Rovers. The standout performance came from Josiah McKayle, who stole the show with a sensational hat-trick.

McKayle opened the scoring with a brilliant solo goal, intercepting the ball near the halfway line, skipping past two defenders, and firing low into the bottom corner. He added a second before half-time after a slick team move involving Sloggett and Bateson and completed his treble with a coolly converted penalty late in the second half.

Substitute Will Banks added to the tally with a towering header, while Cam Allen struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort as Shepton dominated from start to finish. Welton keeper Mackenzie Welsh was kept busy throughout but could do little to prevent the flood of goals.

These festive fixtures also highlighted the charitable spirit of the local football community, with the Street derby supporting 2Wish, a charity aiding bereaved families. Proceeds from the match raffle and donations from local clubs contributed to the cause, showing that even amidst fierce rivalry, there's room for goodwill.

Shepton will look to carry their Boxing Day momentum into the new year when they host Bridgwater United on Saturday, 4th January, with kick-off at 3pm. Fans will be hoping for more festive magic—but with fewer flaring tempers than in the derby clash.