Shepton Mallet's momentum took a sharp downturn as they were outclassed 41 at home by Buckland Athletic, just days after a superb 30 victory.

What had started promisingly ended in defeat as Buckland proved far more clinical and organised.

Buckland struck early, just eight minutes in, when Ryan Bush outpaced his marker on the left, cut inside and unleashed a 20yard strike beyond Shepton keeper Owen Crawford.

After a quiet spell, Peter Snell nearly restored parity around the 30minute mark when a deflected effort forced a corner, and Monty Burgess's acrobatic overhead kick from the set piece was comfortably gathered by visiting keeper Jordan Duffy.

Buckland seized control before the break, adding two goals in a tenminute burst: Jack Baxter drove in their second, then fullback Sean Thomson sneaked forward for a tapin just before halftime.

Shepton introduced three changes at the interval and showed some signs of fight after the restart. Paul Braithwaite tested Duffy early, and Jake Sloggett made a promising run before miscuing his shot.

Luke Wilkinson broke up one of Buckland's rare counterattacks; midway through the half Snell volleyed a fine cross from Lewis Coleman narrowly wide, and Coleman himself later squandered another chance when his shot was sliced high. Just when it seemed Shepton might claw something back, Bush grabbed his second of the game from close range after about 75 minutes, adding to Buckland's cushion.

Though late pressure brought opportunity—Wilkinson's effort blocked by Duffy and Shepton finally scoring via Braithwaite after a parried freekick from Cam Allen—the deficit proved too much. A crowd of 134 saw Buckland deservedly take all three points.

Shepton remain 10th in the Western League Premier Division, having played one more match than Street, who lie in 14th.

Their next fixture is away at Street on Tuesday 16 September, kickoff 7.45pm, followed by an FA Vase tie away to Welton Rovers on Saturday 20 September. The Reserves host Tunley Athletic at home that same afternoon, while the under18s opened their season with a 32 win away at Frome on 11 September.

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Shepton Mallet's playoff dream left hanging by a thread after Buckland snatch smashandgrab win

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