WATCHET Smugglers started their league journey this season with a trip away to Isle of Wedmore in Division B of the Under 11 section in the Taunton & District Youth League - and they ran out 10-1 winners.

After taking on some tough pre season opponents as well as making the transition from seven to nine a side football, going into the game was looking likely to provide a real test for the Under 11s.

Donning the iconic Black and Red of Watchet Town while continuing their sponsorship with Magna Housing Association the team were ready to get their new season underway.

Starting with some excellent play the Smugglers took the early lead after five minutes after a through ball from Oliver Phippen landed at the feet of Alfie Cody Boutcher who with a calm finish put the scoreline at 1-0. 

The early goals kept coming and after eight minutes Phippen doubled the lead. Soon after Cody Boutcher struck again to extend the lead, making it 3-0 to the visitors.

Wedmore seemed to settle and in the following 10 minutes the momentum turned their way and some excellent play forced the Smugglers goalkeeper to pull off some quick saves to maintain a clean sheet.

Some excellent link up play followed from cousins Lucas Hughes and Troy Cooper with the latter making the scoreline 4-0 at the 24 minute mark. Just before the half time whistle Alfie Worths 20 yard shot rippled into the back of net making it 5-0, very quickly followed up with a 6th from Cooper to make it 6-0 at the break.

Going into the second half Wedmore were not to be deterred. Showing some excellent through balls only to be caught by the offside trap.

On the 43rd minute Mark Harry Snell's knock into Jacob Mcloughlin’s path and a  driving run allowed him to increase the scoreline to 7-0. 

Shortly after Cody Boutcher decided it was time to complete his hat trick with a well worked ball from McCartney Hopwood allowing him to do so.

Cody Boutcher wasn't finished yet and struck again to continue his excellent goalscoring record from last season with four goals in the opening game. Rounding out the Watchet flurry of goals, Phippen netted a second from the right hand side of the box after being played in by Jacob Snell.

Wedmore’s luck did change allowing them to slot home a consolation goal in last few minutes bringing the game to a close at 10-1.

Smugglers’ emphatic start to the season will hopefully let them carry the momentum going into Match Day 2 where they will play Nether Stowey in only their second game of the season on 14th September.