WATCHET Town scrambled their way to a single goal victory and three much-needed points when they entertained Clevedon United in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League at a windswept Memorial Ground.

In a game spoilt as a spectacle by the gale-force wind the Red & Blacks struggled to unlock a visiting outfit reduced to nine players following two red cards before a late goal from teenage substitute Harvey Henderson saw them gain victory.

Clevedon were the better side in the early exchanges and the home side needed some strong defensive work from centre backs Ali Harrison and Eben Harding to survive.

The Clevedon contingent put pressure on the official when Vinnie Jones was involved in a goalmouth skirmish, but no action was taken. Watchet posed little threat as an attacking force in the first half and were relieved to go in at halftime with the scoresheet blank despite their opponents having a player sent off for kicking Josh Aspey off the ball in full view of the young referee, who soon afterwards mistakenly yellow-carded Billy Jones before being persuaded that Alfie Lyons had made the illegal challenge.

The Red & Blacks improved a little after the break without creating anything due to the final pass or cross letting them down. The visitors were even more annoyed with events when their substitute striker, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, was also shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Harrison.

To make matters worse they went down to 8 men for 10 minutes when another player was sinbinned for comments made to the official. Although Charley Clausen sent a shot wide of the near post and then a header just past the far upright Watchet were too often guilty of trying to force the issue with rushed choices.

With Clevedon back up to 9 men Kieran Bailey shot straight at the keeper and Olly Prescott forced a decent save before the Red & Blacks made the all-important breakthrough with 15 minutes remaining. The introduction of Eddie Townsend had given Watchet's midfield an extra spark and when his pass released Billy Jones to advance into the area the keeper could only parry the striker's left foot shot and Henderson was in the right place for a simple tap-in.

Twice Lyons cut in from the left only to see his firmly-struck drives safely held by the keeper as Watchet were unable to get the cushion of a 2nd goal to make the closing stages more comfortable.

Watchet: Adam Jones, Josh Aspey, Ali Harrison, Eben Harding, Jay Darrel,l Aerron Clausen, Charley Clausen, Kieran Bailey, Alfie Cox, Billy Jones, Olly Prescott. Used Subs: Alfie Lyons Eddie Townsend, Harvey Henderson. Watchet's A & P Farmer MOM: Eben Harding