WATCHET TOWN 1 BISHOP SUTTON 0

WATCHET picked up three important points in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League last Saturday when they ground out a single goal victory over fellow-strugglers Bishop Sutton at a wet and windy Memorial Ground.

On a pitch which was playable, but with the driving wind and rain making conditions testing to say the least, the Red & Blacks worked hard for the win despite riding their luck at times against opponents who felt justifiably aggrieved at going home with nothing .

The visitors chose to have the elements in their favour in the first half and Watchet were forced into spending a lot of time defending after a promising start when they managed to get the ball down and put some passes together.

The home side were troubled by some dangerous inswinging corners and had an amazing escape in a goalmouth scramble when an overhead kick was met on the line by Jay Darrell's attempted hooked clearance which seemed to hit the roof of the net before coming out again with the referee ignoring Bishop Sutton's understandable clamour for a goal to be given.

Watchet were struggling to make much headway going forward, though Olly Prescott made a couple of threatening runs on the left, Harvey Henderson put in a good cross from the right, and Billy Jones was thwarted by the keeper at his feet.

The all-important strike came when Henderson tried his luck with a shot which the keeper could not keep out on the greasy surface for the youngster's first senior goal. Just before the break keeper Vinnie Jones kept his side in front by blocking a clear chance for the visitors with his legs.

Watchet failed to make the most of having the weather advantage in the second half after Prescott had curled an early effort narrowly wide. Substitute Alfie Cox almost robbed the keeper after coming on, but as the game wore on it was the visitors who were looking the more likely scorers.

Keeper Jones had to deal with more awkward set pieces under serious pressure and there was some desperate defending in front of him. A close range opportunity was directed the wrong side of an upright and a header went over the top from a similar position before Watchet were able to record a double as they held on for all the spoils as the match ended in unsavoury fashion.

Watchet Town: Vinnie Jones, Josh Aspey, Ali Harrison, Eben Harding, Jay Darrell, Kieran Bailey, Connor Jeromson, Charley Clausen, Harvey Henderson, Billy Jones, Olly Prescott. Subs: Alfie Cox Riley Willis Alfie Lyons & Aerron Clausen (used). A & P Farmer MOM - Ali Harrison.

NICK SULLY