The last game of the season meant a very early start due to the kick-off having been moved to 12:30. I would have travelled up on Friday evening, but had booked to see Nye at the National Theatre (which was marvellous). I was happy to find that there was a train from King’s Cross at 7:48 that would get me into Middlesbrough before 11, so my start wasn’t as early as those taking the coach who were leaving Vicarage Road at 5am. I woke at 4:45 and checked that the trains were running, in case I needed to make alternative arrangements. All looked good, so I turned over for another hour or so in bed acutely aware that my friends were already on the coach waiting to leave Vicarage Road.
I was at King’s Cross a half hour before the train was due to leave. I bumped into Mick on the concourse and, when we boarded the train, we found we had seats together for the journey to Eaglescliffe. Unfortunately, the Grand Central service wasn’t serving hot drinks as their boiler was broken, so I was glad that I had a coffee before I left the house (I was too tight to buy one at the station). The breakfast offerings were sparse so I plumped for a pain au chocolat and a bakewell tart that would do for elevenses, although I consumed it at about 9:30 as that felt like mid-morning to me. The train was busy as it was headed for Sunderland who were playing Wednesday, so their fans were mixing with ours and those from Middlesbrough.
The designated pre-match pub was opposite the station. I was sceptical when I read that it was popular with away fans, but it was actually great. It had good beer and a pleasant atmosphere. We had been told that it was opening at 11, but the Happy Valleys were already at a table when I arrived, and Serena soon joined us. We left ourselves plenty of time to get to the ground and arrived to find a deserted concourse. The ridiculously early kick-off had prompted a number to stay at home and watch the game on television. I had time for some lunch and went for the parmo in a bun, which is not really a parmo (no bechamel sauce) more a chicken sandwich, but it was rather good.
Team news was that Cleverley had made three changes from the Sunderland game with Andrews, Sierralta and Rajović coming in for Grieves, Porteous and Dennis. So, the starting XI was Bachmann; Hoedt, Sierralta, Pollock; Sema, Asprilla, Kayembe, Koné, Andrews; Rajović, Bayo. As expected from the Under 21 line-up on Friday (a creditable 2-2 draw with Burnley) there were a number of youngsters on the bench with Grieves joined by Albert Eames, Leo Ramirez-Espain, Zavier Massiah-Edwards and Amin Nabizada who are all currently Under 18s.
The Hornets had the first chance of the game as Kayembe played the ball out to Sema who got to the by-line and crossed for Bayo whose header was stopped by an excellent one-handed save from Dieng. Soon after Andrews squared for Kayembe whose shot from distance was well over the bar. The first attack of note from the home side came as Latte Lath broke forward with Hoedt in close attendance, as they entered the box Wes made a great tackle and put the ball out for a corner that came to nothing. The Hornets threatened again as Rajović played a cross-field ball to Andrews who crossed for Bayo whose header was an easy catch for Dieng. There was applause all around the stadium on 16 minutes for Joe Field, a young Middlesbrough fan who passed away last month. There was danger from the home side as Gilbert broke into the box, but he was stopped by a great tackle from Hoedt, the ball came back in, and Pollock made the clearance. Pollock earned the first booking of the game for fouling Jones on the edge of the box. The resultant free kick from Gilbert hit the wall. Then a poor clearance from Bachmann fell to the opposition, the ball was moved to Jones in the box and Dan made amends by making a great save. It being the end of the season, there were a few inflatables being thrown about in the away end which included a couple of flamingos which were not very buoyant and tended to drop as soon as they were thrown. Very disappointing.
The home side took the lead in the 28th minute when Ayling crossed for Latte Lath who swept the ball past Bachmann. The Hornets had a great chance for an immediate equaliser when Asprilla played a lovely through ball for Koné who, in turn, played a through ball for Rajović whose shot was poor flying past the near post when he should have hit the target. The first booking for the home side went to Azaz for a foul on Andrews. From the resultant free kick, Asprilla crossed for Hoedt who headed wide of the target. The Hornets attacked again as a long throw from Rajović was headed down for Kayembe whose shot was blocked, the Dane picked up the loose ball and found Asprilla whose cross was caught by Dieng. The Hornets had a great chance to equalise when Andrews crossed for Asprilla who had time to take a touch but decided to hit it first time and his shot looped into the keeper’s arms. Just before half time, Rajović found Kayembe on the edge of the box, but his shot was wide of the target. There was two minutes of added time, which included no action of note, so we went into the break a goal down.
At half time I bumped into Ross and Zoë from Ayrshire. For once, their journey wasn’t much worse than ours. Ross said that this would be the first time that Zoë would get home from a Watford match while it was still light. That is dedication for you. Back in the stadium Middlesbrough fan, Henry Barber, was on the pitch with his father. Two-year-old Henry is being treated for a neuroblastoma and his uncles have been fundraising to support the family. They have raised £28,600 so far and were hoping that a bucket collection before the game would take them over £30K. I wish them all well.
Cleverley made a change at the break bringing Morris on in place of Sema. The first chance of the second half fell to the home side as Latte Lath met a cross from Ayling with a header that was pushed clear by Bachmann. The Hornets then had a chance of their own as Asprilla crossed for Bayo whose header was claimed by Dieng. Andrews then went on a great run before releasing Bayo who delayed his shot and was tackled by Gilbert. The hosts launched a counterattack, a lovely passing move that finished with Thomas one-on-one with Bachmann who blocked the shot, the loose ball fell for Pollock who cleared. Cleverley then made another change bringing Martins on in place of Rajović. The home side had a couple of chances to increase their lead. First a shot from the edge of the area by Ayling that curled well wide of the target. Then a shot from the edge of the area by Gilbert that flew just over the bar. The Hornets had a chance of their own after a run from Asprilla who fed Martins whose shot was blocked with Bayo lurking. Asprilla then took a free kick which flew wide of the far post. There was a double substitution for Middlesbrough at this point as Howson and Thomas made way for Barlaser and Bangura. The hosts had a good chance to grab a second after the Hornets gave the ball away allowing Boro to advance, the shot from Latte Lath was across the goal and just wide of the far post. Then a cross from Barlaser to the back post was headed over by Clarke, I felt that Bachmann should have got closer to him.
Middlesbrough made another double substitution as Greenwood and O’Brien replaced Gilbert and McCabe. The Hornets drew level on 76 minutes when a corner from Asprilla was met with a glancing header from Hoedt that flew in at the far post. The Hornets had a decent chance for a second soon after when Koné went on a great run and took a shot that was tipped wide by Dieng. Just when it appeared that the Hornets were on top, Greenwood danced past a couple of defenders in the box and put in a cross that was deflected into the path of Bangura who finished past Bachmann to regain the lead for the hosts. At this point Cleverley brought Grieves on in place of Pollock. The home side made the three points secure when Ayling ran onto a ball over the top and pulled it back for Jones who found the net for Boro’s third. The Hornets tried to pull one back from an Asprilla free kick, but Bayo’s header was poor and flew well wide of the target. Instead, the home side nearly scored a fourth as a counterattack finished with Latte Lath curling a shot just wide of the target. There was seven minutes of added time during which Asprilla tried a shot from distance that flew high and wide. That was his last action of the game as he was replaced by Massiah-Edwards while Andrews made way for Eames. For the home side, Wilson came on for Ayling. Massiah-Edwards was immediately involved putting in a decent tackle and fouling Greenwood (I admired the willingness to get stuck in). In the last move of the game Grieves played the ball out to Massiah-Edwards who squared for Bayo, but the ball was cleared, and the Hornets finished the season with a defeat.
The players all came over to applaud the travelling fans and were given a good reception, which was rewarded as most of them gave away their shirts. Asprilla and Hamer both appeared to wave goodbye.
It wasn’t a great game, but it was enjoyable enough. Hoedt’s goal was excellent and gave the travelling Hornets something to cheer. I thought that the 3-1 scoreline was a bit harsh but, sadly, Rajović, Asprilla and Koné had all left their shooting boots at home. I was glad to see Eames and Massiah-Edwards come on at the end of the game with the latter putting in a rather encouraging cameo.
I had decided not to book a train home until after 5, which seemed like a strange decision early in the day, but we headed back into town to a rather good pub and had a lovely post-match drink in the upstairs lounge. It suddenly filled up at about 4 and I decided to head to the station to get an earlier train to Darlington as the train that I had booked arrived quite close to the departure time of the London train. That proved to be a good decision as the train that I had planned to get from Middlesbrough was delayed so I would have missed my connection. As the majority of fans had headed home earlier, the London train was lovely and quiet, so I was able to have a nap on the way home.
So, we finish a disappointing season with a defeat and the lowest Championship points total of the Pozzo era. It is difficult to know what will happen next season. There is unlikely to be a lot of money available to strengthen the squad, so I hope that Cleverley will be able to bring in some decent loans and maybe find a couple of gems in the Academy. But that is a thought for another day. I will enjoy the Summer and start worrying about next season when the fixtures come out. This season has been low on entertainment value, but high on great company and good days out and that is what keeps me going week in week out. Enjoy your Summer and I will be back in August.
Fran's Watford Blog 
Thank you Francis, once more for providing much for us old farts to enjoy(?).
Thank you, Geoff