New Inn Athletic....HAYDEN Shepherd scored a hat-trick as a rampant Shobnall Athletic ran riot against the New Inn at Cornmill Lane.
Simon Bannister and Justin Kisielewicz (2) were also on target in a stunning performance from the visitors.
Conditions were far from easy, with a vicious easterly wind combining with the cold to produce a wind chill factor of -5C – but the visitors adapted well and created an early chance when Chad Gaynor drove forward before crossing to Marcus Shepherd, who poked his shot wide.
New Inn responded and Reece Daniel fired a good chance wide after he ran on to Karl Chadfield’s through ball.
A minute later, Shobnall took the lead.
Will Mason released Hayden Shepherd down the right and the striker crossed to Bannister, who smashed it into the roof of the net.
It should have been two moments later when Bannister hit Hayden Shepherd, who fired a great chance over the bar.
At the other end, Athletic keeper Joel Smart lived up to his name as he held a speculative effort from Tom Liversage.
Then a long throw from Stevie Key was only partially cleared to Chadfield, who drove over.
The lively Daniel went close with a cross-shot which flew inches wide as the hosts pressed for the equaliser.
Back came Athletic, with Kisielewicz finding Hayden Shepherd, who was denied by a saving tackle from Kieran Stephenson.
A minute later, it took a crucial sliding tackle from Jamie McCombe to foil the pacy striker after he had broken clear.
But on 24 minutes, Athletic finally doubled their advantage.
Gaynor robbed Liversage and crosed to Shepherd, who found the bottom corner.
New Inn kept going, with a Carl Smith through ball sending Sam Harrison clear, but he shinned a great chance wide.
Then a Smith shot was spilled by Smart, who reacted well to keep out Chadfield’s follow-up.
This was a good spell for the hosts and Simon Hall did well to clear a wicked inswinging corner from Chadfield off the line.
Liversage did his best to create something and a great through ball from the midfielder put Daniel in on goal, but he failed to beat Smart.
On the restart, Daniel set up Smith, who sent a cross-shot just past the post.
Athletic showed how it should be done with a clinical third goal four minutes later.
Mason hit Bannister and his pin-point cross was slotted home by Shepherd.
The visitors were far from finished and Mason should have done better when he rippled the side netting from close range.
Just past the hour, it was four.
Gaynor showed great determination to stay on his feet after a couple of desperate challenges and he picked out Kisielewicz, who timed his run perfectly from midfield to fire into the bottom corner.
On 68 minutes, Bannister crossed to Shepherd, who easily rounded Wood to slot the ball home.
To their credit, the hosts kept going, with Smart saving from Daniel and Stuart Lynn in quick succession.
Then Daniel shot wide after Liversage had picked him out and the young striker’s overhead kick, moments later, was well read by Smart.
But the visitors were always a threat on the break, with Wood tipping a Banniser shot around a post and Mason heading wide from a Marcus Shepherd cross.
Then in injury time, Marcus Shepherd picked out his brother, Hayden, who unselfishly squared the ball for Kisielewicz to coolly slide the ball home and complete the rout.
GOALS: Bannister 5, H Shepherd 24, 51, 68, Kisielewicz 61, 90 (Shobnall).
NEW INN: Wood, Key, M Smith (Haynes 85), McCombe, Harrison (Shaw 55), Lynn, Chadfield, Liversage, Stephenson, C Smith (Worrall 85), Daniel.
SHOBNALL ATHLETIC: Smart, Dolman, C Gaynor, Smales, M Shepherd, Mason, Kisielewicz, S Gaynor (Hall 8), White, H Shepherd, Bannister. Subs not used: Barker, O’Callaghan, Staley.
STAR MAN: Hayden Shepherd (Shobnall) – a match-winning performance with three goals and two assists.
REFEREE: K Wright (Burton).
