WATCHET completed another double on Boxing Day when they won their derby against Staplegrove 4-1 at the Memorial Ground.

Two goals early in each half brought the Red and Blacks victory on yet another day when the strong wind and sticky conditions played a part in the game as a spectacle.

With less than five minutes on the clock and going forward for almost the first time, Watchet took the lead when Ryan Strong blocked a clearance and Aaron Deeks spurted beyond the last defender to slot the ball past a keeper reluctant to leave his line.

Five minutes later they doubled their advantage when a cross from Lewis Rogers following a short corner caught in the wind and the keeper could only help the ball into his own net at the far post.

A free-kick from Deeks was then momentarily spilled by the keeper but he recovered to grasp the ball in the nick of time, then Chris Sully shot too high after Deeks and Tom Sparks had combined to create the opening.

With Matt Heywood and Eben Harding again in commanding form at the heart of their defence, Watchet remained solid in open play and keeper Adam Bishop handled the ball well from Staplegrove’s set pieces to ensure a clean sheet at the interval.

With the visitors having the wind largely at their backs in the second half the next goal was always going to be important, and after knocking at the door Watchet made it 3-0 when Deeks squeezed a pass through to Sparks in a congested area and the goalscorer collected the ball and calmly side-footed into the corner of the net.

Rare errors from Watchet’s two young full backs almost gave their opponents a glimmer of hope but Heywood’s covering tackle averted the danger.

The issue was put beyond doubt with a fourth home goal when a cleverly-worked free-kick from Deeks was slipped wide of the defensive wall for Sully to square a low ball into the six-yard box and it was met with a customary neat finish by Sparks for his third goal in two games on his return home for Christmas.

Deeks had a firm shot turned over the top by the keeper, but apart from injuries to Strong and Heywood, the only blot on proceedings for the Red a Blacks came when they conceded a late consolation goal to opponents who to their credit never stopped trying.

Watchet: A Bishop, L Rogers, M Heywood E Harding, B Robinson, C Gregory, R Strong, B Walsh, C Sully, T Sparks, A Deeks, subs C Jeromson, C Clausen, T Maddock (all used), C Knight (not used).

l Tomorrow (Saturday) the Red and Blacks are at home to Berrow minus the services of Tom Sparks, Tayler Maddock and the injured Ryan Strong, with Matt Heywood also doubtful. Kick-off is at 2pm.