TEENAGE defender Jack Watson helped Swanage Town & Herston to their first league victory since December with a man-of-the-match display on his 100th senior club appearance.

Chris Woods struck 10 minutes from time to end Swans’ seven-match winless run in the Dorset Premier League with a scrappy 1-0 success over in-form Cranborne.

Relieved boss Alan Lay praised his charges for remaining calm in the heat of the battle and lauded the influence of 19-year-old Watson at the heart of a backline which kept its first clean sheet of the calendar year.

Lay, who also coaches Dorset’s under-16s, said: “It was the latest in a long line of really mature performances from Jack.

“It is a fantastic achievement for such a young footballer just starting his career to have so many senior games under his belt.

“He has been practically an ever-present since I took over. He might only be a young boy but technically he is very good, especially with the ball at his feet as well as being almost unbeatable in the air. His covering and last man challenges are exceptional.

“One of the reasons I came to Swanage was to help local footballers realise their potential. Jack is a versatile young player that the club is very proud of. Here’s to his next 100 games.”

On the match, Lay added: “Cranborne had won their past three matches so we knew we would have to play well to turn round our poor run.

“Results have been going against us for a long time. Our attitude and confidence had started to suffer a little here and there, although our performance levels have been remained quite high.

“The game was pretty tight but I was pleased with how we kept the ball far better than we had in recent weeks. We dominated the second ball without quite managing to put in that killer delivery or final ball.

“But the boys stuck at it and the late goal from Chris Woods came as a result of a great passing move and very cool finish past their keeper who had looked unbeatable before that.

“The goal was testament to the players’ attitude and performance. Previously we might have got nervous and conceded or lacked the composure to win the match.”

Swans: Huse (Beeston, h-t), Robinson, Watson, Parrott, Stratford, Lovell (Williams, 65), Harding, Taylor, Harrop, Woods, Bennett (Hibbs, 84).