A YOUTHFUL Watchet line-up bowed out of the Somerset County Senior Cup last Saturday at the hands of Division One leaders Congresbury by the odd goal in three.

The experienced away side were worthy of their passage into the next round despite not having things all their own way against a Red & Blacks squad containing seven players under the age of 18.

At a breezy Memorial Ground the tabletoppers from a division below had the majority of the play with the wind behind their backs in the first half. An early thunderbolt of a volley from just outside the area rattled the Watchet bar as the visitors looked the more likely scorers.

The home side fought hard to keep their opponents at bay with Riley Willis holding a tight rein on tricky right winger Beck while Benafield's pace on the opposite flank was a constant threat.

The Red & Blacks struggled to put passing moves together against the elements, but as the half wore on the visitors ran out of ideas as all too often the ball was overhit and ran out of play, so halftime arrived with the scoresheet still blank.

Soon after the resumption Vinnie Jones made the first of a series of fine second half saves before Congresbury had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for offside.

The confident visitors were not to be denied, however, and they broke the deadlock with a daisy trimmer of a drive from 30 yards out which nestled into the corner of the home net.

Watchet continued to compete, but it was out of the blue when they drew level as a hopeful ball forward from out on the left from Josh Aspey was wind-assisted as it sailed over the keeper and just under the bar.

With Willis now foraging further forward in midfield, for a short spell Watchet had their visitors rocking and Billy Jones and Connor Jeromson were unable to apply a telling touch in a goalmouth scramble.

In between more good work from keeper Jones Congresbury recovered to regain their advantage when they had a man over from a left wing cross and Beck stole in to score with a close range volley.

Watchet had late half chances to force a penalty shootout with Alfie Lyons putting one wide and then Eddie Townsend was too high before Benafield missed an absolute sitter after taking the ball around Jones only to send it wide of the gaping goal.

Watgchet Town: Adam Jones, Jay Darrell, Charley Clausen, Eben Harding, Riley Willis, Eddie Townsend, Connor Jeromson, Billy, Jones, Harvy Henderson, Riley Pope. Alfie Cox. Subs: Alfie Lyons, Josh Aspey, & Ryan Wilkinson (all used). Watchet's A & P Farmer MOM was Riley Willis.