WITH more than a whole team unavailable, a patched-up Watchet Town line-up put on a gallant showing before going down by 4 goals to nil against Yatton & Cleeve in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League at the Memorial Ground.

After stand-in keeper Jay Darrell had brought off a fine early save the home side battled hard all-round against their bigger opponents. They were dealt a blow when Harry Crossman had to retire injured, meaning midfielder and captain Brandon Walsh having to drop into the backline.

Alfie Cox had the ball in the visitors' net only to be ruled offside and it was nearly half-time when Yatton opened the scoring from a disputed corner with a firm close range header.

An early second half goal eased the visitors' frustrations, but it was not until Watchet ran out of a little steam that the scoreline was given a rather cruel slant with two more goals.

Watchet Town: Jay Darrell, Andrew Pope, Ali Harrison, Harry Crossman, Ryan Wilkinson, Mikey Bailey, Nigel Bremner, Brandon Walsh, Karl Boswell, Alfie Cox, Olly Prescott, Subs: Rob Spicer-Wedlake Tommy Robinson Adam Taplin & Dean Marchant (all used). A & P Farmer MOM-Ryan Wilkinson.

Despite losing for the 18th time in the league this season, Watchet remain one place above the relegation zone with Worle, Timsbury Athletic and Bishop Sutton below them.

Ilminster Town are proving to be the outstanding side in the division. They have opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table - and have two matches in hand on second-placed Fry Club while Staplegrove, in third place, have played four more games than the leaders.

However, Chilcompton Sports and Nailsea United, in fourth and fifth spots respectively, would appear to be Ilminster’s biggest title rivals, having played only 18 matches - one less than the South Somerset outfit.