Toolstation Western League: Shepton Mallet 0-2 Bridgwater United

Bridgwater United were good value for their 2-0 victory at Shepton Mallet on Saturday with the scoreline reflecting the difference between the two sides, writes Merv Colenutt.

It was the visitors who created the early opportunities with a goal bound Dave Thorne effort brilliantly blocked by Harry Rutty, quickly followed by a jinking Morgan Williams that took him past three Shepton Mallet defenders only to see his fine effort bring another fine block from James Sharkey.

It took until the 20th minute for Shepton Mallet to create their first opportunity with a Jacob Sloggett effort that cleared the crossbar and from the resulting goal kick and swift movement upfront, it was Bridgwater United who went in front with a superb effort from Dave Thorne who sent a fine low shot from 20 yards into the bottom left hand corner of the Shepton Mallet net.

Bridgwater United deservedly doubled their advantage on 42 minutes, when a Nathan Legge mistake midway inside his own half, allowed Jack Taylor to pick up the loose ball and slot the ball past the left hand of Sam Jepson into the bottom corner of the net once again.

A flare u just before the half time break, following a late Jacob Sloggett tackle should have resulted in at the very least a booking, but with 12 players involved in the melee, referee Darren Gay kept his cards in his pocket , with the half time whistle coming at just the right time to appease the anger of the players on both sides.

It was certainly an explosive start to the second half as Sam Jepson in the Shepton Mallet goal did well to block a Jack Taylor effort with his right leg and the home side did respond well as a Joel Sisson effort was brilliantly turned aside by Luke Purnell in the Bridgwater United goal.

The home side despite all their efforts in the final third of the game, rarely troubled the Bridgwater backline as Skipper Mark Armstrong marshalled his troops superbly throughout and although the visitors failed to make the impact of their first half performance in that second period, the nearest Shepton Mallet came to scoring was when a Luco Ponsillo effort was clawed to safety at the second attempt by Purnell.

There is now a nine point gap between the two sides  in the Western League Premier Division and it’s not that hard to see why.

Shepton Mallet are a good young side, but lack the clinical finishing of both Thorne and Taylor and lack the leadership skills of Mark Armstrong, as for Bridgwater United, they are a good side who probably just lack that consistency to get them beyond the play offs.

Man of the match-Mark Armstrong (Bridgwater)

Attendance; 222