Shepton Mallet roared back into form on Tuesday night with a polished performance to beat Bridgwater United 30 and show they mean business this season.

From the first whistle it was endtoend stuff. Bridgwater nearly grabbed one straight away only for keeper Owen Crawford to pull off a sharp firstminute save.

Shepton answered in kind – a sweeping move saw Monty Burgess sent racing after a clever ball from Paul Braithwaite, but his shot thumped off the bar. Veteran Conrad Peck, making a surprise return after four years away, linked up with JJ Littlewood to feed Ben Snell into the box, only for him to be upended.

The penalty followed, but Bridgwater goalkeeper Louis Smith guessed right to deny Snell. Both sides had halfchances after that, but neither keeper gave an inch; it was goalless at the break.

The second half belonged to Shepton. Just eight minutes in, Burgess and Littlewood combined down the left, Burgess crossed and Snell found the net with a crisp 15yard finish into the far corner. From there, Shepton kept pushing. Corey Stock was electric on the flank, weaving past defenders and setting up danger.

Ashton Shanley's effort went just over, and a fine run by Burgess ended in an appeal for a foul on Littlewood being waved away. But Shepton doubled their lead with about 15 to go: Cam Allen's corner was partially cleared to Lewis Coleman, whose strike was deflected by Snell into the crowded sixyard box and in.

The hattrick was completed with six minutes remaining, after another Braithwaite throughball gave Snell space on the edge of the box. He coolly slotted home and sealed both the win and the Man of the Match award. Crawford kept a clean sheet with a late save from Harry Horton, and despite a strong foul from Bridgwater that should've seen red, Shepton rode out the final moments untroubled.

Attendance: 178.

Next up is Buckland Athletic at home on Saturday 13 September (KO 3.00pm), where Shepton sit just two points off the top five, currently in seventh. Then comes a fiery local derby at The Tannery Ground, Street, on Tuesday 16 September (KO 7.45pm). There is no reserve match this week.

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