Somerset County Premier Division
Staplegrove 1, Watchet 0

WATCHET conceded a December double to neighbours Staplegrove when they were beaten 1-0 by the Taunton side for the second time in three weeks on Christmas Eve.

In front of a large crowd, the Red & Blacks gave another sub-standard performance against their well-organised opponents and, despite missing chances, could have few complaints over the final outcome.

Staplegrove played down the slope first with plenty of energy and looked the more likely scorers in the opening exchanges as the visitors struggled to keep hold of the ball.

It was Watchet who had the first clear chance, however, when Tom Sparks outwitted a defender before crossing low from the byeline, only for Mikey Bailey to stab his left-foot shot wide from a few yards out with Aaron Deeks also in attendance.

The bigger home team always posed a serious threat from set-pieces and Watchet found it difficult to deal with some long throws and corners with Matt Heywood needing to call on his defensive experience and a number of desperate blocks required.

Deeks then forced his way past his marker at the other end, only for his shot on the run to pass the wrong side of an upright and Brandon Walsh’s flick from a Deeks free-kick was not profited on.

Staplegrove continued to look the livelier outfit with midfielder Mockridge proving elusive and it was no real surprise when they took the lead before half time when Watchet failed to clear their lines and Matt Pounde lifted his shot over Adam Bishop into the net.

The Red & Blacks showed a slight improvement in the second half without ever taking the game by the scruff of the neck and it was only when the play became stretched later on that they looked capable of getting back on level terms.

An early effort went just wide of the far upright but, as the half wore on, the home side began to exploit some large gaps with Watchet committed to pushing more men forward.

Bishop made a fine save low to his left from a downward header and then dealt fairly comfortably with a couple of shots which should have tested him more.

Watchet huffed and puffed without putting many passes together before being given the opportunity to restore parity when a challenge on substitute Tayler Maddock saw the referee have little hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Home keeper Lloyd Alley kept his side in front, however, by diving the right way to palm out the sidefooted kick from Deeks and Bailey sent the rebound wide of the target.

Watchet had two more penalty claims turned down when Maddock’s shot was scrambled off the line and then when Deeks appeared to be impeded, before Bishop stopped the home side increasing their lead with two more smart saves at his near post.

Watchet’s last chance disappeared when Jamie Milton’s glancing header was comfortably held by Alley as they missed out on the chance to be top of the table at Christmas in what turned out to be their game in hand, with Nailsea & Tickenham’s scheduled match postponed.

Watchet: A Bishop, C Shopland, M Heywood, J Milton, C Sully, M Bailey, C Jeromson, B Walsh, C Clausen, A Deeks, T Sparks. Subs: A Clausen, T Maddock, S Bruford (all used).