Shepton Mallet put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat against Clevedon Town in a hard-fought match, with a late defensive error handing the home side all three points and the top spot in the table.

Clevedon set the pace early on, putting Shepton's back line under pressure from the start. They quickly carved out three solid chances in the first 20 minutes, with Syd Camper and Lucas Vowles keeping Shepton keeper Owen Crawford on high alert. It was only a matter of time before Clevedon broke through, and in the 25th minute, Joe Teall's well-placed header found the back of the net, putting Clevedon 1-0 up.

Shepton showed resilience after going behind, rallying to create opportunities of their own. Jake Sloggett came close with a powerful shot that just missed the target, while Crawford's sharp goalkeeping kept Shepton within striking distance, including a crucial stop from another Teall attempt just before half-time.

The second half saw a tactical shake-up for Shepton as Harry Rutty came on, with the team switching to a back three in a bid to get back on level terms. The bold change proved immediately effective, with Rutty making his presence felt just three minutes after coming on. He met a well-delivered free kick and directed it towards Callum Gould, who was lurking on the edge of the penalty area. Gould seized the chance, unleashing a brilliant half-volley that ricocheted off the far post and into the net to equalise for Shepton.

Both sides then dug in for a tense 30 minutes, with defences holding firm and limiting chances. Crawford continued to be a key player for Shepton, pulling off another fine save to deny Clevedon's Freddie King, who came close with a shot that grazed just wide. As the minutes ticked down, it looked like Shepton might hold out for a well-earned point.

However, with just over ten minutes left, Shepton were caught off guard by a defensive mix-up. In a scramble to clear the ball, Crawford rushed to the edge of his area but missed his clearance, with two Shepton defenders also caught in the melee. Clevedon's Freddie King pounced on the loose ball, calmly side-footing into an empty net to make it 2-1.

Despite the late blow, Shepton continued to press forward, determined to snatch an equaliser. An Ethan Witchell volley flew just wide as the clock ran down, leaving the Shepton faithful on the edge of their seats. In the end, Shepton's efforts fell just short, with Clevedon walking away with the win.

Crawford, despite his unfortunate misstep, was undoubtedly Shepton's standout player, with several vital saves that kept his team in the game. His performance reflected a team effort that, although not enough for the points this time, showed promising form as Shepton head into their next fixtures.

In other action, Shepton's Reserves continued their assault on the league with a resounding 7-0 win over High Littleton, cementing their position as title contenders and leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace.

Shepton will look to bounce back with an away trip to Torpoint Athletic on Saturday 9th November, kicking off at 3:00 pm. They will have another shot at Clevedon on Wednesday 13th November in the Somerset Premier Cup, providing an opportunity to even the score.

The club is also running a special raffle for an 18-hole golf experience with a PGA professional, which can be redeemed at a range of courses. Tickets are available from committee members and at the clubhouse—an ideal gift for golf enthusiasts looking to fine-tune their game.