WATCHET Town lost the first of their local derbies with Staplegrove by 2 goals to 1 in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset Football League at the Memorial Ground.

After a first half where the visitors shaded proceedings the Red & Blacks made sure their lofty opponents had to fight all the way for the points with a winning goal towards the end of the game.

Understandably, Staplegrove were the more confident outfit in the early stages and the Watchet goal came under pressure from some dangerous set pieces. In a goalmouth scramble a firmly-hit on-target shot struck Connor Jeromson in the midriff as the home team continued to frustrate the Taunton side.

At the other end a neat link-up between Billy Jones and Alfie Cox saw the latter's shot cleared off the line with the keeper beaten as Watchet began to show a threat of their own.

However it was Staplegrove who took the lead with less than 10 minutes of the half remaining, following a lengthy hold-up while the referee lectured Jeromson for a couple of rash challenges before showing him a yellow card. From the resulting free kick Watchet switched off as an unmarked Bidgeway headed into the net from inside the 6-yard box.

Watchet went near to levelling it up when Charley Clausen's header passed inches wide of an upright just before the break.

Once the visitors had struck a post soon after the interval Watchet made it a much more even contest by tightening things up all-round and putting enough moves together to cause the visitors some concern. Midway through the half Olly Prescott eluded his marker to strike a 25-yarder which had keeper Bellringer taking off to turn the ball over the top for a corner.

Prescott took the flag kick for Charley Clausen to rise highest in the goalmouth to nod the ball down and over the line for the equalizer. When Billy Jones was pulled down by the last defender it was the cue for another long chat from the referee involving players from both sides before Norrie also escaped with only a booking.

With the game swinging to and fro it was Staplegrove who claimed the decisive third goal when the ball was bundled in from close range with the home side in disarray.

Watchet continued to battle, but they needed a fine block from Vinnie Jones to stay in with a chance before the final whistle blew.

Watchet Town: Vinnie Jones, Josh Aspey, Ali Harrison, Eben Harding, Jay Darrell, Connor Jeromson, Kieran Bailey, Charley Clausen, Alfie Cox, Billy Jones, Olly Prescott. Used subs: Aerron Clausen, Aiden Buller, Harvey Henderson, Alfie Lyons. Watchet's A & P Farmer MOM was Olly Prescott.