Western League: Shepton Mallet  1-2 Street

The local derby on Saturday between Shepton Mallet and Street, ended with a victory for the visitors, with the score line reflecting the performance of both sides writes Merv Colenutt.

However the result could have been so much different had Street been reduced to ten men early in the encounter and with the home side missing a penalty moments before the break, Street immediately broke away and scored an equaliser just before the break.

The referee, Joseph Drew, could have made things far more difficult for himself early on, but to his credit, his handling of several difficult decisions showed a marked improvement the longer the game progressed and overall in a game that became quite ugly at times, the official redeemed himself really well.

The early exchanges were fairly even, but a shocking Callum Laird tackle from behind on Ethan Witchell, should have brought red to the Street defender, but only a yellow was branded by the official, a lucky let off for Street.

It was the home side who took the lead on 10 minutes when an inch perfect cross from Javob Sloggett out wide on the left, found the unmarked Callum Gould at the far post and the midfielder had the simple task of steering the ball into the Street net from 8 yards out.

Street created their first opportunity midway through the opening half when Harry Foster created space through the right channel and although his effort from 20 yards was on target, his effort was well gathered by Owen Crawford in the Shepton Mallet goal.

The home side were given a golden opportunity to double their advantage when Sloggett was hauled down in the Street penalty area, but Charlie Bateson's spot kick was well parried to safety by Lewis Williams in the Street goal.

Street then equalised with an absolute screamer as the home side looked to have cleared their lines following a corner, the ball falling to Harry Foster on the edge of the Shepton Mallet penalty area, but the striker somehow managed to send a thunderous volley into the roof of the net with his back to goal.

The second half became something of a non event as both sides failed to lift the momentum needed, although in fairness to the visitors, they looked the more likely to break the shackles with both Ktistian Woods and Freddie Haden testing Owen Crawford.

The deserved winning goal came on 72 minutes when a Lewis Morgan effort was parried by Crawford, but the energetic Freddie Haden followed up to send a low shot through a cluster of legs to find the bottom corner of the net and give Street all three points.

Merit marks; Shepton Mallet-O Crawford 7, J Sisson7, M Burgess 6, W Banks 7, H RUTTY 7, N Legge 5, D Gould 7, C Gould 6, C Bateson 5,J Sloggett 7, E Witchell 7,

Street; L Williams 8, C Laird 6, Z Collins 7, E Collins 7, J Dickens 7, A Hayward 7, L Morgan 7, A Costanza 6, H Foster 8, F HADEN 8, A Clark 6

Referee; J Drew 7

Entertainment value; 6

Attendance; 304.