On a splendid day at Wells City FC Somerset entertained Dorset in the first fixture of the campaign.

Starting brightly Somerset looked to put the visitors on the back foot as Ham and Chapman got up to pace quickly, feeding Yule-Turner and McKenna along with Watts linking central off Plant.

A few opportunities went amiss before Somerset took the lead through Yule Turner who drove the ball beyond the keeper after nice approach play through midfield 1-0.

The second goal wasn’t long after, Lewis Bahadur set up Gabe Plant to side foot the ball home 2-0.

The visitors struggled to get any purchase on the game as Somerset were very quick to close space and effect Dorset’s play. Dorset did have a couple of scrambled moments from two corners, but Shay Allen and an alert defence tidied up well.

Before the break chances fell to Plant, McKenna and Yule Turner, but on these occasions their efforts fizzed wide.

In the second period Somerset maintained a firm grip on the game, Chapman and skipper Ham provided the midfield drive between rotation with Watts and Byron stepping in, as Powell, Bahadur and Chivers locked of the visitors defence with Smalley now in goal.

The ball was moved between the Somerset side with good efficiency and intelligence before Dorset could think of getting into the game Yule Turner grabbed a third! From a Smalley delivery Yule Turner outpaced his marker to score the sides Third and his second goal 3-0.

Atherton was then replaced to rest a hip complaint, but not for Hemmings whose previous injury was adjudged not ready for risk.

Watts then pushed up front as Paradise came into Midfield where Chapman and Ham effectively marshalled with a steely resolve.

It was a game that concentration and a consistent approach would keep the opposition at arms length, and this proved the case as Somerset could have increased the lead twice through Powell and Chapman before Watts got the teams fourth and his first in SFA colours 4-0.

Dorset to there credit kept trying to get on the scoresheet and battle through. However that just led to a few mis-timed challenges.. McKenna receiving the worst as his trickery brought about a foul after wriggling past his marker.

Fittingly for Somerset a fifth goal was scored which underlined a good level of play on the day. Bahadur who capped off a solid display and Paradise were both involved and each player had cause to claim the final touch 5-0.

A rewarding outing at Wells City FC for Somerset and a good foundation to move onto the next fixture against Berks & Bucks on November 24th.