WATCHET remain on the heels of the Division One pacemakers after defeating Clevedon United Reserves 5-0 at the Memorial Ground on Saturday.

For a long time the Red and Blacks struggled against stubborn opponents, and it was only after the second goal went in midway through the second half that the visitors caved in, enabling Watchet to go on and register their biggest win of the season.

In a scrappy first half Watchet's passing left much to be desired as they continually gave the ball away.

The visitors often posed the greater threat, particularly from set pieces, and the Red and Blacks were fortunate to escape punishment from a couple of corners.

When Watchet finally put a move together they took the lead, slightly against the run of play. A raking crossfield pass from John Harris picked out Steve Wild's run and after feinting to shoot from 25 yards, he slipped the ball into the path of Paul Raymond who steered it wide of the advancing keeper and a retreating defender turned it into his own net as Dean Allen challenged.

Clevedon's movement at corners continued to cause problems and they squandered a clear chance of equalising by sending a close-range effort off-target with Watchet's defence at sixes and sevens.

Back at the other end, Wild's point blank header from a Harris throw was saved before an inviting early cross from Wayne Merrick went begging as it flashed across the Clevedon goalmouth with no one taking advantage, but these were rare moments of attacking promise prior to the interval.

Things did not improve much in the opening period of the second half with neither side able to assert their authority.

Watchet did have chances, with Nick Criddle shooting tamely at the keeper after being set up inside the box and then just failing to reach Lawrence Monaghan's diagonal ball into the danger zone.

The direct approach proved to be Clevedon's undoing as the floodgates opened in the last quarter of the match.

Andrew Woodward stepped out of defence to breach the square visiting backline with a ball which sent Harris speeding clear on the right, and he cut in before calmly beating the keeper to score the all important next goal.

Watchet increased the lead to 3-0 soon afterwards with Wild this time the recipient of a long ball from Mark Clausen in the inside left channel which he took on and duly despatched into the net after neatly sidestepping the keeper.

Clevedon had suddenly and surprisingly lost heart, allowing the Red and Blacks to exploit the vast open spaces in their opponents' half.

Dean Allen was the next to cash in by chalking up a double inside five minutes to complete the nap hand.

Firstly he drew the keeper out before guiding the ball past him, and then he showed a turn of pace down the middle again to smartly round the completely exposed youngster before finding the empty net.

It might have been more of a rout with Criddle going close again and then Wild unselfishly squaring the ball for Harris on the six yard line, but he needed more than one touch, giving the keeper the chance to block his shot away for a corner.

From the resultant kick, substitute Gary Trunks headed Watchet's last effort wide of the target and 5-0 it remained.

Watchet: S Moore, D Spence, M Clausen, A Woodward, L Monaghan, J Harris, N Criddle, P Raymond, W Merrick, D Allen, S Wild; subs M Knowles, G Trunks and N Sully.

l Tomorrow Watchet have another league match at home when Cleeve West Town are the visitors (ko 2.30 p.m.).