A MUCH-improved second half showing earned Watchet a 3-1 win at the Memorial Ground last Saturday as they completed the double over Bridgwater Town Reserves.

After being pegged back to 1-1 at the interval, the Red and Blacks finished off two quality moves which turned the tide in their favour as the attacking threat from the visitors gradually petered out.

With Watchet making another slow start it was the youthful Bridgwater outfit – well spearheaded by the experienced Young – who looked the more likely scorers in the early exchanges.

Keeper Adam Bishop had already made one smart stop before having to dive full-length to his right to push away Young’s effort after the striker had eluded two defenders inside the area.

Sellick shot wide from a good position and Watchet had to defend strongly from a number of corners before finally settling down to pose a threat from their own set pieces.

A long throw from John Harris which was flicked on by Jamie Milton caused havoc in the visitors’ six-yard box, but Charley Clausen and Aaron Deeks were just unable to force the ball home, and both Milton and Harris sent free far post headers from Deeks’ corners off-target.

The left wing corner was to pay dividends however when Watchet took the lead as another flag kick from Deeks was touched on at the near post and Milton instinctively stuck out a boot to turn the ball inside the far upright.

A period of Watchet seemingly in control was then interrupted when out of the blue Bridgwater were awarded a disputed penalty and Duffy levelled the scores from the ensuing spot kick.

The home side went close to regaining the lead before the break when a sweeping move led to Tom Sparks firing in a shot which demanded a decent save from the keeper.

Watchet presented a more solid unit all-round after half-time and as well as tightening up at the back they took control of midfield to launch some probing raids.

There were close calls at the visiting end before Ryan Strong instigated a passing move which began near halfway and involved Chris Sully, Deeks and Mike Bailey before the latter squared a low ball into the goalmouth which reached Sparks at the far post and he made no mistake with a first time left foot shot.

Not long afterwards, Watchet’s passing and movement again ripped open the heart of the Bridgwater defence and ended with Deeks this time supplying Sparks, who kept his feet as he evaded the oncoming keeper to set up Bailey to mark a promising full debut with a clinical finish which made it 3-1.

Bridgwater’s earlier menace had appeared to diminish, though Young’s attempt went the wrong side of an upright and the Red and Blacks went close to adding to their tally as Sparks sped past his marker to shoot inches wide of the far post and just before the end Harris ballooned the ball over the bar after his initial effort had been blocked.

The result was slightly tarnished for Watchet by four of their players being shown yellow cards for innocuous-looking offences compared to a few other challenges.

Watchet: A Bishop, R Strong, M Heywood, J Milton, J Harris, M Bailey, C Sully,, C Clausen A Clausen, A Deeks, T Sparks, subs B Robinson, I Low, C Knight (used), T Maddock (unused).