Watchet Town 1 Odd Down Reserves 0

WATCHET kept their winning run going last Saturday when they gained some revenge on Bath side Odd Down Reserves for inflicting their only defeat of the season so far by beating them with the only goal of the game.

For the fourth time at the Memorial Ground this term a Tom Sparks’ strike proved the deciding factor in another hard-fought contest where the Red and Blacks might have had a more commanding interval lead after playing some attractive football in the pouring rain.

The visitors posed an early threat down their flanks, but Watchet defended corners well throughout against their bigger opponents.

After the early exchanges had settled down it was the home side who began to put the better passing moves together with Aaron Deeks linking well with his midfielders.

Sparks twice reached the byeline on the left only for the ball to be cut out, before Brandon Walsh shot inches wide of the post from the opposite side of the area.

Jamie Milton headed off-target from a Deeks corner before Ben Robinson instigated an incisive raid which led to Deeks freeing Aerron Clausen inside the area only for his shot to hit the advancing keeper’s legs.

Following a home set piece another slick bout of inter passing between a number of players saw Watchet take a deserved lead with Milton - who had stayed forward - unselfishly providing the final squared ball wide of the exposed keeper for Sparks to stroke into an empty net from 12 yards.

The Red and Blacks remained in the driving seat up to the break with some con- trolled football without managing to add to their tally.

The second half was a rather scrappy affair littered with stoppages and petty nig- gles which led to yellow cards for both teams.

The numerous lengthy delays seemed to suit the visitors as Watchet were unable to find their earlier rhythm despite continuing to defend strongly when necessary and having more attempts on goal.

Robinson’s 30-yarder flashed just past the angle of post and bar before Milton nodded wide again from another Deeks corner.

Playing his last game before going travelling Walsh advanced to the edge of the box to take on a half volley on the run which was sweetly hit and veering towards the roof of the net until the keeper intervened with an acrobatic tip-over.

The ‘keeper was in action again soon afterwards with a scrambling save to keep out a left foot effort from Sparks which then rolled agonisingly the wrong side of an upright and out for a corner.

Almost inevitably Odd Down had a good chance to make the home side pay for not putting things to bed when their captain Cooper broke through and Adam Bishop had to make a very fine save low down to his right to protect his side’s advantage.

The Red and Blacks were again showing commendable resolve in their desire to hold onto three more points and they almost had the last word when Milton went closest yet with another header which this time shaved the far up- right.

WATCHET : A Bishop, B Robinson, M Heywood, J Milton, E Harding, J Worth, C Sully, B Walsh, A Clausen, A Deeks, T Sparks. Subs: C Jeromson, R Strong, I Lowe (used), C Clausen (unused).

Watchet are at home again on Saturday when Clevedon United visit the Memorial Ground (k o 3pm