TWO weeks after their first meeting, Watchet Town conceded the double to near-neighbours Staplegrove when they went down by 3 goals to 2 in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League in Taunton last Saturday.

Another Jekyll and Hyde showing where the Red & Blacks followed the trend of their season by not producing two halves the same saw them lead 2-0 at one stage in a fine first half display which they failed to match after the interval.

Playing down the slope Watchet looked the sharper outfit with Riley Willis causing problems on the left flank and their midfield not allowing their hosts time on the ball on a gluepot of a surface. The Watchet defence repelled any home attacks and it was the visitors who deservedly went in front when Willis pushed a pass through for Billy Jones to run onto inside the area and angle his left foot shot across the keeper into the far corner.

When Jones broke through again soon afterwards the keeper's challenge on him saw the referee point to the penalty spot and although his kick was too close to the glovesman the striker reacted quickest to ram the rebound into the roof of the net.

Jones shot wide with just the keeper to beat and Charley Clausen had his far post header from a corner blocked down by a post before Staplegrove pressed towards the break. Vinnie Jones pulled off three fine saves, but was beaten after a corner was only half-cleared and when the ball was returned into the goalmouth Gumbo's header looped over the line.

It was the lift the home side needed and two minutes into the second half they were back on level terms when Bidgeway was allowed to cut in from the left and rifle a low shot past keeper Jones.

Watchet were unable to reproduce their earlier intensity as the home side pressed down the slope and lost their grip on proceedings. Apart from a couple of dangerous crosses from Willis and Josh Aspey their threat going forward was minimal.

The Red & Blacks had been forced into an earlier reshuffle after losing full back Jay Darrell to injury and were hanging on precariously before a defensive gaff let in Staplegrove substitute Butler for the winning goal with little over 10 minutes remaining and Watchet lost a game they should have got something from.

Watchet Town: Adam Jones, Josh Aspey, Charley Clausen, Eben Harding, Jay Darrell, Aerron Clausen, Kieran Bailey, Eddie Townsend, Olly Prescott, Billy Jones, Riley Willis. Used subs: Alfie Cox, Connor Jeromson, Harvey Henderson, and Alfie Lyons. The A & P Farmer MOM was Riley Willis.