A RELIEVED Adam Sheppard is determined to make the most of his second chance when he keeps goal for Calne in the Les Phillips Cup final on Tuesday.

The stopper was heartbroken at the end of their semi-final defeat to Backwell, having missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out, but was handed a reprieve when the winners were thrown out of the competition.

Sheppard, 25, is now looking forward to the showpiece occasion against high flying Bridgwater at Willand's ground and admits he can't believe his luck.

He said: "I was not looking forward to the final when I thought we had been knocked out because of me, but now I am. After hitting the kick wide I just thought they would never want me to play for them again.

"I felt really sorry for the lads because I stepped up and volunteered to take it and told them not to worry because I would not miss. I have missed a few lately on Sundays, but I thought I would just put that right.

"Penalty shoot-outs have been good to me in the past but that is definitely one I would like to forget."

Shepherd is Trowbridge Town's goalkeeper in the Hellenic League Division One and is only playing for the Lillywhites in the cup due to regular number one Gareth Evans being cup-tied.

He said: "That made it even worse. I felt as though I had let the team down and I don't even really play for them.

"I have been in a few cup finals in recent years with Trowbridge but we didn't reach one this season and it is great to be involved with Calne."

Uncertainty over what is happening with Trowbridge's new ground has sparked fears a lot of their players could leave this summer but Sheppard has vowed he will still be a Bee next season.

He said: "I have enjoyed helping Calne out but I am a Trowbridge boy through and through and could not see myself leaving.

"I am not sure what the others are going to do but I know that I will be at Trowbridge next campaign."

Calne go into Tuesday's final as the underdogs having just won promotion to the Screwfix Premier Division, while Bridgwater have been an established top flight side for the last few years.

But an impressive cup run with wins against higher league opposition in each round has installed plenty of confidence in Kelvin Highmore's men.

Highmore said: "We have been given a second chance and all the lads are up for it. We are at full strength and looking forward to it."