WATCHET extended their impressive away record on Saturday with a 2-1 win on their first-ever visit to play Chilcompton Sports.

On an excellent surface, the Red & Blacks managed to overturn a 1-0 deficit with two late goals from defender Eben Harding – who has now scored 12 times in his last four games including Sunday League football.

They began slowly and it was their young opponents who looked the sharper outfit in the early period.

Watchet were guilty of allowing their hosts too much time and keeper Adam Bishop had to come off his line to make a brave stop with the loose ball being fired wastefully over the top as two forwards got in each other’s way.

It was the only major scare a resolute Watchet defence had however, and the visitors almost took the lead when a precise through ball from Brandon Walsh sent Aaron Deeks down the middle but the advancing keeper came to the edge of his area to foil him.

With Ryan Strong putting in some crisp tackles and Jason Worth showing some nice touches, the Red and Blacks made inroads down their right and Deeks was thwarted twice more by the home custodian when he might have been more seriously tested before the interval arrived with Watchet right back in the match.

The visitors stayed on top on the resumption without finding a cutting edge, while Chilcompton didn’t play the ball out from the back as often as they now defended up the slope.

It was against the run of play when the home side took the lead after a corner was only half-cleared and a follow-up effort had Bishop rooted to the spot as it arrowed into the roof of the net.

With Deeks already limping, things looked even bleaker for Watchet when their only recognised striker was forced to retire and Connor Jeromson replaced him.

But they kept banging on the door, and finally unlocked it after more changes were made with less than 15 minutes remaining, with Callum Knight coming on at the back and releasing Harding to venture up front following his five-goal haul for the Blue Waves the previous weekend.

He didn’t disappoint, as within two minutes Watchet were back on level terms when Jeromson and Worth combined on the left and Harding moved into the box to drill a left-foot shot between the keeper and his near post.

Looking the stronger and fitter side and with the momentum in their favour, the visitors went all out for the winner and were rewarded with five minutes remaining.

The marauding Harding was set free on the right to cut in and despite Walsh being free at the far post, he opted to drive in a low shot from a tight angle which took a slight deflection off a defender on its way into the net.

Watchet: A Bishop, R Strong, M Heywood, E Harding, B Robinson, L Rogers, B Walsh, C Sully, J Worth, A Clausen, A Deeks, subs C Jeromson, C Knight (both used).

l Watchet’s home form will be severely tested this Saturday when they entertain current league leaders Nailsea and Tickenham, who visit the Memorial Ground in search of an early season double having defeated the Red and Blacks 1-0 in August. Kick-off is at 3pm.

l Minehead, who were without at match at the weekend, are at home tomorrow against Street Reserves.