WATCHET Under 9s made the long journey to Ashcott to play four football matches against their counterparts on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

James Burrows was chief creator in the first game with his passes setting up Robbie Constable for a screamer and Finley Nicholas-Wright for a tidy finish. Arlo Smithbone and Joey Nicholas kept things tidy at the back allowing Watchet to claim a clean sheet and a 2-0 victory.

The second match was a tighter affair with the game still goalless at halftime despite the attacking play of Abdul Muizz-Oyeniyan and Lacie Camminga-Kemp. The second half saw the game come to life with Jack Barker conducting things in the midfield. It was Barker who released Lochie Ketchen on two occasions to finish with aplomb and give Watchet a two goal lead. Ashcott pulled one back late into the game but thanks to staunch defensive play from Jonah Boyles and Edward Cropper, Watchet were able to hold on for victory.

Watchet were at their attacking best in the third game. It was Constable's dangerous work down the right which forced Ashcott into conceding an own goal. It was soon two as Evan Pople set up Burrows who rifled one home from the edge of the box. Pople then turned goalscorer thanks to a wonderful pass from Constable. Milly Ward was also dazzling in attack and proved a constant threat to the Ashcott defence. The final score was a deserved 3-1 victory to the side from Watchet.

The final match saw Watchet win 1-0. Watchet were a continual threat but missed a host of chances. It was thanks to the guile and craft of Maja Blade, who released the tenacious Zachary Cooper to score a late winner which Watchet were able to claim the win.

All in all, this was a great morning for the youngsters from Watchet who now turn their attention to the Cup Final on Saturday (April 27).

The very fact that the weather was fine enabled the Watchet youngsters to play some stylish football. It has not been easy with the weather being awful for most of the second half of the season.

But with the weather having turned, it should make it much easier for the youngsters who naturally struggle to control the ball on glue-like surfaces. Now everyone is looking forward to Saturday.