When I was putting together the Women of Watford booking for the Chelsea game, I sent a message to my family group of fans. I was surprised to receive a positive response from my sister and my two nieces. My response was “Are you insane?” But they had decided that they fancied attending our last Premier League game for a while. There was also a City ‘Orns booking for this game, so our group of away travellers, which has been quite depleted this season, was back to full strength and we booked a table for 11 for lunch. It was a nice, easy journey and the walk in the sun across Parson’s Green was just lovely. I met Pete and Julie on the way then spotted Glenn and Amy outside the pub. As they travel in from Norfolk, they had started their day a little earlier than we did, so were already rather jolly. I headed inside to find our group at the table where we were briefly joined by Richard Walker who wished us well and thanked us for our support this season. Wine was ordered along with a lovely roast dinner, we were determined to enjoy our day, at least until kick-off time. As we waited for our food, the server arrived with a bottle of champagne and glasses. We pointed out that we hadn’t ordered champagne but were told it had been ordered for our table. Rich Walker was identified as our kind benefactor. It was a really lovely gesture. The performances on the pitch this season may have been dreadful, but we are lucky to have some amazing people working at the club.
When we were suitably fed and watered, we headed for Stamford Bridge. It was a gorgeous sunny day, so we were delighted to find an ice cream van on the way that was doing a roaring trade in 99s. When we arrived at the ground, we had to negotiate a number of layers of security, but they were all pleasant and helpful and we were soon in our seats in the upper tier. I was delighted to bump into Sarah, who had missed out on a WoW ticket, as I was able to confirm that we had a spare seat in our section, so she came to join us.
Team news was that there were six changes from the Leicester game with Bachmann, Samir, Femenía, Kamara, Cleverley and King in for Foster, Ngakia Cathcart, Masina, Gosling and Kalu. So, the starting XI was Bachmann; Kamara, Samir, Kabasele, Femenía; Cleverley, Kayembe, Sissoko; Sema, King, João Pedro.
The home side had an early chance as Sissoko lost out to Mount in midfield, he played a ball over the top to Havertz whose shot was stopped by a good save from Bachmann. The next chance for the home side was a shot by Saúl from the edge of the area that deflected off Mount and out. Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute when Kenedy put a low cross in to Havertz who turned it in at the far post. The moronic chant of “How sh*t must you be, it’s only 1-0” was pleasingly drowned out, if only briefly, by an enthusiastic chorus of “Watford FC”.
Saúl had a decent chance to increase the lead for the home side, but his shot flew wide of the near post. Then a cross from Mount was caught by Bachmann. The Chelsea man then got his head to a cross from James, but his effort was wide of the target. It was 25 minutes into the game before the Hornets managed to mount an attack worthy of note. João Pedro battled into the box but was dispossessed, a shot from Cleverley was blocked, eventually the ball fell to Kayembe who exchanged passes with King before hitting a shot from the edge of the area that flew wide of the target. The travelling Hornets were in good voice at this point, “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Coventry.” Then Havertz broke into the box and was stopped by a tackle from Kabasele, the ball rolling safely to Bachmann. At the other end, a low cross from Sema was put out for a corner. The best chance of the game so far for the Hornets came as a cross from Kamara rolled across the goal with nobody able to connect until it reached Femenía whose shot needed a decent save from Mendy in the Chelsea goal to keep it out. The home side should have had a second from a good shot by Mount, but Bachmann made the save. The home side continued to threaten as Havertz broke into the Watford box, but he was stopped by some good defending from Kabasele. Chelsea had one final chance to increase their lead before half time with a shot from Havertz that hit the bar, so we went into the break only a goal down.
The Hornets created the first chance of the second half as João Pedro exchanged passes with Cleverley before unleashing a shot that needed an excellent save from Mendy to keep it out. João Pedro then intercepted a back pass, but his cross into the box was caught by Mendy. Just before the hour mark Chelsea made their first change replacing Kenedy with Sarr. The Hornets nearly had an equaliser from an own goal as a poor back pass from Azpilicueta was drifting in until Silva got back to keep it out. The home side threatened again with a low shot from the edge of the area by Ziyech but Bachmann was equal to it. Chelsea made a second change bringing Barkley on for Rudiger. The substitute had a great chance to increase the Chelsea lead with a shot from just outside the box that Bachmann did very well to push over. The resultant corner came out to Mount who shot well over the bar. Hodgson made his first change bringing Hernández on for King. Soon after, Kamara picked up an injury and was replaced by Masina. The Hornets should have done better after Sissoko broke forward, Mendy came out to meet him, the ball went out to Kayembe whose shot was terrible and the empty net remained untroubled. Soon after that he was replaced by Gosling. Havertz had a chance to increase the Chelsea lead but was stopped by a great block by Kabasele. With three minutes of normal time remaining, the Hornets grabbed an equaliser as Masina crossed for Gosling who headed the ball across Mendy and in to send the travelling Hornets wild with joy. The goal was at our end of the ground, so we were all able to celebrate together. Chelsea made a late substitution replacing Mount with Chilwell. Sadly, the Hornets were unable to hang on to the point as, in time added on, a cross from James was met by the head of Barkley, Bachmann got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. The home side had one more chance to increase their lead when Ziyech had a shot from the edge of the area, but Bachmann made the catch, and the Hornets were on the end of an unexpectedly narrow defeat.
The players came over to applaud the travelling fans and were greeted with cheers, which was gratifying. It had been a decent showing, the players had put a shift in, and, after the late equaliser, we felt as if we deserved a point from the game, so went home relatively happy.
We said goodbye to the lightweights in our party before heading back to the pub, which was pleasantly empty, so we were able to toast the end of the season in comfort.
This is a season that has been almost unremittingly miserable. COVID meant that we missed out on the fun of a promotion season. This has been the most unpleasant reintroduction. We finished this season with the worst points total that Watford have had in the Premier League. Given the difference in apparent talent between the 99/00 squad and the 21/22 vintage that really is quite shameful. Roy Hodgson has come in for a lot of abuse and was regaled by some very unpleasant songs from a section of the crowd, but I don’t hold him responsible for what has happened this season, especially as we were obviously doomed when he arrived. This is all down to the players, a number of whom didn’t play to the best of their abilities or put in anywhere near enough effort.
One positive from the season has been the emergence of Women of Watford. When I appeared on Hive Live with Kate and Sophie on International Women’s Day last year, I had no idea that I would end up as part of a group of amazing women getting together to go to matches. Those that have joined us include mothers with children who liked the idea of being with a group of women, younger and older women who may have been going as a group, or on their own, but were happy for some extra company. The club has been very supportive in allowing us to make block bookings which have allowed us all to make new friends. It is always good to have more friendly faces to see at matches.
So we go into the close season, glad to see the back of the one just gone and looking forward to some cracking days out next season. However miserable the fare served up between kick-off and the final whistle, I have still had some amazing days out this season and I thank all the lovely people that I have spent time with for that. See you all at the end of July.
Fran's Watford Blog 