Shepton Mallet continued their impressive run of form with a 2-0 win over Saltash United, making it four wins in 12 days. However, the victory did not come easy, as the first half saw both teams struggling to find a breakthrough.

Shepton's Josh Jenkins had two early chances, while Saltash's Joe Preece forced a good save from home keeper Owen Crawford. Charlie Bateson missed two half chances, and Crawford had to make another good stop from Tom Payne, leaving the first half as a tightly contested affair with both sides cancelling each other out.

After the break, Shepton came out with renewed energy and dominated the second half from start to finish. Jenkins went close before Cam Allen set up Nathan Legge, whose shot forced Saltash keeper Jordan Duffy into his first meaningful save of the day. A follow-up shot from Bateson was blocked on the line, and Ethan Witchell also fired just over the bar from distance.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when Witchell's strong run down the left wing led to a cross that found Jenkins at the far post. Jenkins calmly slotted the ball past Duffy, notching his ninth goal of the season.

Substitute Taelen Salvage, making his debut for Shepton, made an immediate impact with a back-heel touch that set up Jake Sloggett, though Duffy saved his shot. Salvage then made the game safe in the 83rd minute, glancing a header past Duffy to double Shepton's lead.

In the closing stages, Sloggett came close to adding a third, and Duffy made several fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable, denying Sloggett, Witchell, and Benjani Jr. Shepton's defence was solid throughout, earning their third consecutive clean sheet, with standout performances from Harry Rutty, Monty Burgess, and Paul Braithwaite.

Josh Jenkins was named Man of the Match, sponsored by Paul and Corey Race. The win leaves Shepton Mallet in ninth place, as they prepare to face local rivals Street on Tuesday, 24th September, in what promises to be a highly anticipated derby clash.

Attendance: 191

Next match: Shepton Mallet vs Street, Tuesday, 24th September, 7.45pm KO.