WATCHET recovered from the shock of a rare home beating to defeat Wrington Redhill by the only goal of the game at the Memorial Ground last Saturday.

Giving a much more solid showing than the previous week – albeit against opponents who on the day were not as lively as last week’s visitors – the Red & Blacks shaded the honours to deserve their success.

A stiff crossfield wind contributed to neither side finding passing the ball easy and scoring opportunities were hard to come by. Watchet were having the better of things territorially.

The home side were beginning to find their men a little better by getting the ball down and had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Zac Ryder appeared to be hauled down inside the penalty box. The first move of real quality in the match then led to Watchet taking the lead with less than five minutes of the half remaining.

Ryan Strong ventured forward and showed commendable patience in possession before swapping passes on the edge of the area with Chris Sully and then finding Aaron Deeks who unlocked the Wrington defence with an astutely threaded ball which Brandon Walsh took in his stride and rammed in off the underside of the bar from eight yards out.

On the resumption Sully got to the byeline only for his cross to pass right through the goalmouth and minutes later Ben Robinson fired narrowly wide, but generally defences remained on top with Watchet’s back four keeping Knight well-protected and the keeper opting to punch from deadball situations against the taller visiting outfit.

A shot from Deeks was saved by the Wrington goalie before the Red & Blacks had a clear chance to give themselves some daylight when Sully released Ryder into the box, but he poked the ball the wrong side of the upright as the keeper advanced.

Ryder’s effort was held and Sully flashed another cross through the 6 yard box following a clever backheel from Deeks before a determined Watchet team had to withstand a series of high balls and corners during a generous amount of stoppage time to ensure all three points were deservedly theirs.

Watchet’s run of home fixtures continues on Saturday when they entertain Ilminster Town at 2pm.