Impressive Welshmen shrug off early shock to give Shepton a lesson

Shepton Mallet 1

Merthyr Town 5

Shepton Mallet’s campaign got off to the worst possible start as they were trounced at home by Western League newcomers Merthyr Town.

The game was always likely to be a stiff test for Shepton. Owing to administration problems, the Welsh club dropped out of the Zamaretto Premier Division to join the lower division of the Western League, changing their name from Merthyr Tydfil AFC.

Merthyr’s stay in the division may be short-lived on the evidence of their display on Saturday, as they were convincing winners after the home side had bossed the opening 20 minutes and led 1-0. The goal came on 14 minutes when Alistair Banford lifted the ball over goalkeeper Andrew Delve following a scramble.

The visitors then began to take command in front of a big crowd. Steffan Oliver tested Liam Macfarlane in the Shepton goal with a low drive and the keeper also did well to deny the fleet-footed Marcus Griffiths.

Nick Bennett hit a post with a fine header for Shepton and Jonathan Newell almost found his own net as he sliced a clearance from a dangerous cross from Mark Chaffey.

It proved to be almost Shepton’s last attack of the game as the visitors began to boss the midfield. Down the right flank, Griffiths gave Kris Allen a torrid time and the wide-man’s crosses spelt danger on numerous occasions.

Craig Steins was denied on three occasions by the brilliance of Macfarlane and the same player crashed an effort against an upright, before Merthyr forced a deserved equaliser in the final minute of the half when another Griffiths cross was turned into his own net by Brad Allen.

Within 90 seconds of the restart, Merthyr had added two further goals, courtesy of a Scott Armitage shot and an attempted clearance by Macfarlane that cannoned off the backside of substitute Cortez Belle and ballooned into the net.

Merthyr dominated the second half and after Macfarlane had again denied Steins, this time with his legs, Tareq Khalil put the visitors 4-1 ahead on 69 minutes.

Within 90 seconds, the score became 5-1 when Craig Steins, who had deserved a goal, at last beat Macfarlane to find the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors should have added a sixth goal when substitute Pete Applegate brought down Belle in the penalty area, but his spot-kick was saved by Macfarlane and, from the rebound, Newell headed over.

It is difficult to assess what Shepton might achieve this season after one extremely difficult game, but there were positives in the shape of new boys Chaffey and Wayne Roberts.

Merv’s merit marks: L MACFARLANE 8, M Chaffey 7, K Allen 5, W Roberts 7, B Allen 6, R Healey (injured), A Banford 6, L Ward 6, N Bennett 6, A White 6, A Willmott 6, Subs: J Croydon 5, M Allen 5.

Referee: Rob Dabbs (Weymouth) 8

Entertainment value: 7