On paper, this game would have looked like a forgone conclusion such with the gulf between the two teams in the table. But as the expression goes, football is a funny game and Rovers wouldn’t go into this one lightly. A Shepton team lead by ex-Rovers manager, Craig Loxton and featuring three ex-Rovers players were always going to turn up for a local derby.

And turn up they did. The opening minutes saw the hosts take the game to Rovers who struggled with some of the physicality of the game. Both teams laboured somewhat to create chances as the ball got bogged down in midfield.

It took until the 20th minute for the visitors first real effort. Stan Wyatt won a freekick on the edge of the box but Max Williams effort sailed over the bar.

Minutes later, it was Wyatt’s chance to get a shot away but it was deflected over the bar.

A late chance for Shepton from a set-piece was dragged wide and the half ended with very few chances having been made.

Rovers began the second half with more impetus and immediately set about creating an early chance. Some good interlinking play around the box couldn’t open up a stubborn Shepton defence.

Shepton responded in the 58th minute with ex-Rovers striker, Jemar South-Thomas setting up Brian Moding but his shot was well saved by James Smallcombe.

The 65th minute saw the long awaited return of Rovers’ top scorer, Kitan Jaiyeoba and two minutes later made an instant impact. Max Williams lobbed the ball from midfield towards the penalty spot but it kicked up evading Brad Pfupa and into the path of Jaiyeoba who poked the ball in.

In the 76th minute, Shepton looked to have scored when South-Thomas did brilliantly to evade a challenge and make his way into the box from the left. He set Condrad Peck who shot was cleared off the line by… Chris Peck! The shot had seemed destined to hit the back of the net.

Shepton threw everything at Rovers and in added time there seemed to be an excruciating amount of time with the ball in Rovers box as they failed to clear it convincingly time and time again.

However, they did manage to get it clear and on the break, Brandon Bak squared the ball for Jaiyeoba in a the box. His attempted backheel didn’t come off and, under the strikers pressure, the keeper lost the ball. It rolled to a defender but again under Jaiyeoba’s pressure the defender span round the ball rolling back towards the keeper. Again, Jaiyeoba persisted. The keeper, unable to pick the ball up, tried to clear with his feet but Jaiyeoba had closed him down, stole the ball and poked in from close range.

With seconds to go, it was the break that Rovers needed to claim the points from a very tough fixture.

Next Up:
Ivybridge Town (H), Saturday 11th April, 3pm