MINEHEAD and Watchet Town wil be looking to bounce back after cup defeats when they play away matches in Division One of the Uhlsport Somerset County League this afternoon (Sat).

Minehead lost 5-1 away to former Toolstation League outfit Chard Town last weekend while Watchet went down 3-0 at home to classy Chilcompton Sports in the same competition.

Although it's early days yet, Minehead are only six points behind first division leaders Middlezoy Rovers and will be looking for all three points when they play away to Ashton & Backwell United, who are on the same number of points as the Seasiders but have an inferior goal difference. However, it will need an improved display after their disappointing result in South Somerset.

Watchet play Saltford who have lost only once in the league this season and won 3-2 at Minehead only a fortnight ago. Watchet, too, are on ten points from six games.

They will again be without goalkeeper Adam Bishop who has a groin injury and is due to have a scan.

"It seems we may be without him for some time," said the Watchet club's spokesman Nick Sully. Watchet are known to have made enquires about other goalkeepers without any success.

It means outfield player Charley Clausen will almost certainly play in goal again against Saltford.

Sully added: "We made sure Chilcompton did not have an easy time. We made it difficult for them.

Meanwhile, the big game in West Somerset in the Premier Division of the Taunton Saturday League is the clash between Minehed Reserves and Porlock which kicks off today at 2.30p.m.

Porlock are in good form and pulled off a 7-1 away win over Taunton side Wyvern United last weekend. They have lost only once this season while Minehead have played only three games, winning one, drawing one and losing one.