WATCHET Town will have to be at their best on Saturday when they play away to Middlezoy Rovers Reserves in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League, writes Barry Knott.
Rovers, who won 1-0 at Minehead last time out, are lying third in the table - but ten point behind Watchet, with a game in hand.
"It's going to be tough game - much tougher than at Stockwood last weekend, that's for sure," said the Watchet club's spokesman Nick Sully this week.
"I was disappointed that we went to Stockwood with only 11 players. But I cannot fault the attitude and desire of the players that did make the trip. And we scored three very good goals.
"I'm hoping we will be able to name a full squad. It would be nice to have more than 11 players available. We’re are nicely tucked in behind Staplegrove with everything to play for.”
Watchet will be strengthened by the return of skipper Eben Harding and Josh Aspey who both missed the game at Stockwood.
"I'm not sure who else will be available at this moment in time," added Sully. "But we're hoping to field a strong side which is obviously a crucial game for both teams."
Both leaders Staplegrove and Watchet won their games last weekend to maintain their battle at the top of the table.
Minehead, without a match last weekend, will be back in action this weekend when they, too, play away to Stockwood Green who have won only two matches this season. This is a golden chance for Minehead to collect three points.
Minehead are down in 11th spot in the table but will not improve their position even if they take all three points against Stockwood.
Meanwhile Minehead Reserves, who slumped 6-1 away to Galmington in the first division of the Taunton Saturday League last weekend, were looking to bounce back in a match away to Bridgwater Wanderers in the new President's Cup on Wednesday. This is a competition for sides well up with their fixtures.
Porlock, lying seventh in the Premier Division, are home on Saturday to Redgate who are still very much title contenders with games in hand on all the teams above them.
Minehead Colts have a tough home game against second-placed Dunwear United, a new team to the league this winter, in the second division on Saturday. The Colts are lying third, but are ten points adrift of their opponents.
Alcombe Rovers, beaten away by new leaders Wellington Reds in Division Two, play at home to Nether Stowey Reserves. Rovers need to get back on track fairly smartly after losing a vital game against their rivals..