WATCHET Town’s return to action after an enforced four week break saw them fare no better when they were hit for six without reply away to near-neighbours Staplegrove in the Premier Division of the Ulsport Somerset County Football League.

Yet another stretched Red & Blacks line-up - further hampered by a recurrence of Aaron Scott's long-term knee injury during the pre match warm-up - was unable to recover from a disastrous start where they found themselves 2-0 down inside the first five minutes.

By 15 minutes it was three and at halftime the hosts had an unassailable five-goal lead. After the first two goals had come from set pieces which the visitors failed to defend Watchet then struggled throughout the opening half to combat Staplegrove's movement and passing.

A hopeful long range effort from Todd Willis which drifted wide of the home goal was their only response as Staplegrove looked capable of scoring every time they went forward, which was in abundance. A third, fourth and fifth followed almost at will before they were denied a sixth before the interval thanks to a fine penalty save from Jack Harding.

The Watchet keeper went on to make more good saves in the second half to keep the scoreline down and was beaten just the once more despite most of the play being in Watchet's half.

A mixture of some desperate defending and wasteful finishing also contributed to the home scoring not being as plentiful as before the break. Staplegrove goalie Locke probably won't have a quieter afternoon all season as he didn't have a single shot to save in a disappointing Watchet showing where any positives were hard to find.

Watchet Town: Jack Harding, Ollie Webber, Max Bason, Eben Harding, Nigel Bremner, Aerron Clausen, Chase Clausen, Charley Clausen, Adam Jefferies, Todd Willis, Billy Jones. Sub: Connor Jeromson (used).