Somerset County Premier
Watchet Town 5, Chilcompton Sports 0

WATCHET ended Chilcompton’s two-month unbeaten run last Saturday with a comprehensive 5-0 victory at a windswept Memorial Ground.

The Red & Blacks nullified their opponents’ goalscoring threat with a solid display which contained some attractive football and produced a nap hand of their own.

For a change Watchet began on the front foot and they were ahead inside five minutes when a move down the right led to Tom Sparks crossing to the far post, where Charley Clausen controlled the ball before teeing up Mikey Bailey for a side-foot finish from eight yards despite a defender’s attempt to clear off the line.

Sparks fired high over from distance and then went much closer with a rasping drive before Jamie Milton broke into the area, only to miskick behind with Sparks in attendance in the middle.

The Watchet defence kept the free-scoring visiting frontline quiet and keeper Adam Bishop was not called into serious action, while midfield control meant the only surprise was that it took them so long to increase their lead.

After playing a one-two with Chris Sully, Sparks shot against the foot of the near post; then Aaron Deeks miscued a cross in a promising move with colleagues waiting.

The second goal the home side had deserved came after a strong run down the right by full-back Ben Robinson led to Deeks beating his man near the by-line and delivering a low cross destined to be tapped in at the far post by Sparks until a defender intervened, only to turn the ball into his own net.

On the balance of play the issue should have been beyond doubt by the interval but a third goal before the hour virtually ensured a home win.

Watchet had made another strong start to the half, and after having his first effort blocked, Deeks regained possession inside the box before angling a low left-footer across the keeper into the far corner of the net.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the match after this but Watchet stayed strong enough not to concede.

Charley Clausen shot high and wide before smacking another drive inches too high as Watchet began to press forward again.

There were other near-misses for the Red & Blacks before Aerron Clausen’s nicely-weighted pass down the right led to Deeks being felled by the keeper.

After some deliberation the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Milton calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 4-0.

After missing a half chance to gain some consolation, Chilcompton were sliced open down the middle by some slick inter-passing between Sully and Sparks, and when the latter curled the ball into the goalmouth Robinson steamed in to apply the coup de grace, as well as putting the seal on an encouraging performance.

Watchet: A Bishop, B Robinson, M Heywood, J Milton, C Shopland, C Sully, M Bailey, C Clausen, A Clausen, A Deeks, T Sparks. Subs: B Jones (used), R Strong (not used).

***

Somerset County Division 1W
Street Reserves 3, Minehead 2

AFTER showing great promise early on, mid-table Minehead succumbed to a counter-attack from second-placed Street a minute before the final whistle.

After a heavy home defeat to Winscombe the weekend before, manager Paul Newbold made positional changes, which looked to be paying off in spectacular fashion with midfielder Mike Graddon at left back weaving magic down the touch line, winger Luke Howells making surging bursts from central midfield and tall striker Max Smith busy in a more defensive role.

Howells and Rob Vickers both went close before Damion Redman’s high energy style of play earned a penalty, which Stefan Phillips converted in the seventh minute.

Minehead’s quite exhilarating speed and skill moving from midfield to attack meant a wait of 20 minutes before Street had a shot at goal which went wide, before Blues managed to clear more danger from a long throw, which later became a more regular threat from Street.

Blues countered rapidly with a high speed zigzagging surge from Graddon ending with a pass to Guy Burns, who swiftly crossed for Redman to perform an acrobatic near miss.

But a break from Street and a missed tackle changed the pattern of the game, as Haggett was left clear to fire past Sam Tarr.

The home side grew in confidence and gradually made inroads into the away side’s dominance.

Under floodlights, Street started the second half with much more possession but were forced to haul Redman bac, conceding another penalty which Phillips struck with accuracy with 35 minutes left.

The physical strength and endurance of the opposition brought them opportunities.

One of those saw big centre-forward Davey convert neatly to equalise with 25 minutes remaining.

Graddon succumbed to a back injury and was replaced by the speedy winger Callum Barnfield at left-back, while defender Mike Mullen played on nursing an injury.

Burns shot at the keeper as the Blues rallied a little.

The final throws of the dice in injury time saw full-back Chris Newbold’s header from another Phillips corner again saved by the keeper who fed his hungry attack and Hill found plenty of space to steal the game from a spirited team.

Minehead: Sam Tarr, Chris Newbold, Mike Graddon, Mike Mullen, Matt Cracknell, Stefan Phillips, Max Smith, Luke Howells, Robert Vickers, Damion Redman, Guy Burns. Subs: Callum Barnfield (used), Matty Ronan.