HENGROVE Athletic’s ongoing season has been defined by resilience, exemplified recently when manager Pete Sheppard substituted himself into a match against Shirehampton to score an 86th-minute equaliser, salvaging a 1-1 draw in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League.

Sheppard, whose journey to the dugout includes playing stints at clubs such as Bristol Manor Farm and Clevedon Town, laughingly attributed his timely goal to "a bit of luck".

Sheppard acknowledges the team’s struggles, noting they were forced into a "bigger rebuild than we were anticipating" during the pre-season due to losing many players.

Given this challenge, the manager stressed that the primary target for the season is simply to "stay up". although he admits that is going to be difficult, especially as some clubs having a playing budget.

Hengrove operates without any playing budget, meaning they must rely on securing "good youngsters".

Sheppard’s long-term project aims to develop these players, hoping Hengrove can be a "stepping stone" for young lads to progress into Southern League football by the time they are 20.

Off the pitch, the club, known for its "good family club" atmosphere and great hospitality, is working to improve its facilities, with ambitions to make the clubhouse a "more appealing place to be".

Though the league is highly competitive and Hengrove has faced difficult fixtures, Sheppard maintains a focus on consistency, believing the squad is capable of competing despite being one of the more difficult sides to predict in the league.

Meanwhile, Hengrove have a tough home game on Saturday, November 8, when they play title-chasing Devizes Town in a league game (3p.m.).

Fixtures: AEK Boco v Bitton, Avonmouth v Keynsham Town, Cadbury Heath v Warminster Town, Cheddar v Calne Town, Hengrove Athletic v Devizes Town, Longwell Green Sports v Bristol Telephones, Odd Down v Shirehampton, Radstock Town v Almondsbury.