WATCHET were taken to penalties - which they won 5-3 - before securing a place in the quarter finals of the Somerset league's Knockout Cup at the expense of Frome Collegians.

With the two sides locked together at the end of normal time and extra time, the tie went to a penalty shootout in front of a large Memorial Ground crowd and the Red & Blacks held their nerve to convert all five of their spot kicks while Frome missed their second attempt thus rendering their final one unnecessary.

Playing against Watchet for the first time the visitors soon showed themselves to be a well-organised and competent outfit who moved the ball around neatly.

Jamie Milton’s flick from Chris Sully’s early free kick passed just over the angle of bar and post and a chip from Tom Sparks was safely held before Callum Knight timed his advance off his line effectively to block a shot when a Frome forward had a clear run on goal.

Aaron Deeks sent an angled shot narrowly wide of the far post, but although the Frome side enjoyed plenty of possession Knight was rarely extended in the home goal.

Watchet took the lead when an attempted clearance went straight to Sparks who weaved his way into the penalty area before hitting a low drive across the keeper into the far corner.

Half time arrived with few alarms for Watchet, but soon after the restart they were indebted to Matt Heywood for an important lastditch tackle which kept them in front.

The opening period of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Frome seeing their share of the ball, but Watchet not looking in much trouble and carried the greater goal threat before the game became stretched as time wore on.

Substitute Karl Boswell was denied by the keeper after the home side had cleverly switched the ball from right to left with a series of passes and then an unmarked Sparks turned a close range volley the wrong side of an upright from a Deeks corner. Watchet were made to pay when Frome were awarded a free kick which ricocheted off the defensive wall conveniently into the path of Lock who was in the clear to slot the ball wide of the exposed Knight.

The Red & Blacks threw caution to the wind in search of a winner with Ryan Strong shooting left footed too close to the keeper and Boswell being similarly denied again from a little further out.

Sully burst into the area to the byline only for his cross to flash through the goalmouth without a touch and then a pass from Sparks freed Deeks, but he dragged his shot wide of the target with just the keeper to beat.

In between these misses Watchet lived dangerously at the back with numbers pushed forward and were grateful on more than one occasion again for some timely interventions from Heywood as the game moved into extra time.

Scoring opportunities were less evident in the added 30 minutes, though Milton headed wide from a corner, as both sets of players demonstrated a commendable level of fitness and after two hours they still could not be separated.

Watchet made the most of going first in the ensuing penalty shootout by keeping the pressure on with their successful spot kick takers being Milton, Deeks, Sparks, Eben Harding and Sully, and they now look forward to home fixtures in 2 cup competitions in the New Year. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Red & Blacks are at home to Stockwood Green in a league encounter (2pm).

Watchet: C Knight B Robinson J Milton M Heywood E Harding D Richards R Strong C Sully S Broadey A Deeks T Sparks. Used Sub : K Boswell, unused: G Dawson & A Woodward.