WATCHET crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Glastonbury on Saturday and in a tightly packed division, dropped from the top six into the lower half of the table.

Despite missing regular members of their squad, the overall Watchet performance was a disappointment after their fine display the week before.

With Nick Criddle, Mark Clausen and Darren Lyons unavailable, there were starts for youngsters Matt Knowles, Ben Saddington and John Harris, who was making his debut.

In contrast, Glastonbury relied on the experience of veteran player manager Alan Hooker and ex-Bristol Rovers striker Paul Randall and it was the home side who adapted better to the first heavy pitch of the season.

Watchet struggled to find understanding and cohesion in all departments and might well have fallen behind before Glastonbury took the lead when they reacted quicker to a rebound from the post with the visitors in disarray.

The Red and Blacks managed to keep it at 1-0 amid some other scares before they almost drew level when Saddington seized on a defensive error, only for his instant shot to be deflected onto an upright and out of harm's way.

Steve Wild's control twice threatened danger to the Glastonbury, but he was unable to keep a firm enough grip on the difficult surface and on both occasions his shot was blocked.

Half-time arrived with Watchet relieved at not conceding more goals early on but disappointed that their half chances had not produced more.

However, the opening minutes after the restart saw them caught cold by a second Glastonbury goal, which should have been prevented.

Despite the attentions of two Watchet players, the confident home left winger was allowed to get in a cross from a seemingly impossible position by the corner flag and Steve Moore's touch on to the retreating Knowles at the far post fell conveniently for an unmarked player to score with ease.

Watchet steadied the ship for a spell, but when they were caught square against an on rushing forward following a hasty clearance, Moore's half save again fell to an unmarked opponent, Randall being the beneficiary this time.

At 3-0 down Watchet looked the more dangerous outfit in the last quarter as they finally strung some passes together.

From a Harris long throw Wild's drive was tipped over the top and a driven cross from Harris passed through the goalmouth.

A poor clearance from the Glastonbury keeper saw Saddington play a first time pass into Wild's path for him to go clear, only for his sidefoot shot past the advancing keeper to strike on upright and again come out unkindly from Watchet's point of view.

With ten minutes left Wild was tripped inside the penalty area and calmly got up to slot home the spot-kick.

Apart from Paul Raymond's free header from a Knowles cross which went wide, Watchet did not really look likely to stage a grandstand finish which might have salvaged an undeserved share of the spoils.

Watchet: S Moore, D Spence, L Monaghan, G Trunks, J Harris, W Merrick, P Raymond, M Jones, M Knowles, B Saddington, S Wild, subs, J Munro, N Sully, D Knight.

l Tomorrow (Saturday) Watchet were due to play Saltford at the Memorial Ground in the first round of the Somerset County Cup but the visitors have given them a walkover. The ground will still see cup action, however, as Watchet Reserves entertain Hulan in the second round of the Seward Cup, kick off 2 pm.