The journey to the game on Saturday was uneventful. It felt chilly when I left the house, so I had donned several layers of clothing. When I arrived in Watford, it was warm and sunny, so I felt over-dressed, but knew I would be grateful for the extra layers by the end of the game.
My pre-match routine was different to usual as I was meeting up with some of the We Allies to discuss a new initiative. The venue was the wonderful Mad Squirrel. As expected, the beer and pizza were excellent, and the company was delightful.
Having finally had a fully fit squad, it was a bit of a blow to hear that Bachmann and Sierralta were out due to injuries and Ngakia was unwell. A couple of further tactical changes meant that Ismaël made five changes from the Huddersfield game with Hamer, Porteous and Andrews coming in for the stricken trio, Chakvetadze and Bayo made way for Koné and Rajović. So, the starting XI was Hamer; Lewis, Hoedt, Porteous, Andrews; Koné, Kayembe, Livermore; Sema, Rajović, Asprilla.
Pre-match, there were a number of activities to mark Armistice Day, starting with a piper leading a Remembrance Parade and finishing with a lovely rendition of Abide with Me, a minute’s silence and The Last Post.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Porteous failed to stop an attack, thankfully the cross evaded the head in the box. The first chance for the Hornets was a great cross from Koné that was just too high for Rajović. The Hornets took the lead after 10 minutes, a lovely low cross from Sema was poked home by Rajović and the nerves were settled. The Hornets threatened again as Koné went on a great run and played a lovely ball to Sema on the left, he broke into the box and unleashed a shot that Johansson got a hand to, and it was cleared for a corner. The next chance for the Hornets came as Hoedt unleashed a low shot from distance that Johansson dived to save. Rotherham were forced into an early substitution due to an injury to Clucas who was replaced by Cafú. The substitute was involved immediately, hitting a powerful free kick that Hamer did well to punch clear. The visitors had a decent chance to draw level just before half time, but the shot from Tiéhi flew just wide of the target. There was then a pair of bookings for the visitors as Cafú was cautioned for a foul on Andrews and the manager, Matt Taylor, was booked for arguing about Cafú’s caution. The visitors had a chance to draw level in time added on at the end of the half when Lembikisa hit a shot that flew wide of the far post. But the Hornets went into the break two goals to the good as Sema went on another run down the left and beat the defender before crossing for Rajović whose shot found the roof of the net. The half time whistle went to cheers and enthusiastic applause. It had been a dominant half for the Hornets who had shown a lot more aggression going forward and were good value for their two goal lead.
The visitors had the first chance of the second half as Rathbone intercepted a poor pass and broke forward, but his shot was terrible and flew wide of the target. The visitors made a double substitution bringing Onyedinma and Ayala on for Revan and Morrison. It didn’t do them any good as the Hornets scored a third a couple of minutes later as Porteous went on a great run before playing a lovely ball to Kayembe in the box, he turned and powered past Johansson. Unusually for me, the goal brought a feeling of calm as a three goal lead surely meant that the Hornets would win the game. The visitors looked to reduce the deficit as Cafú exchanged passes with Tiéhi before putting in a cross, Hamer got a hand to it and the ball eventually reached Bramall outside the box, his shot was deflected out. Cafú took the resultant corner which fell to Ayala at the far post, he was under it, so his header was poor and missed the target. The Hornets immediately broke down the other end where Asprilla hit a shot that flew well over the target. The first booking for the Hornets went to Porteous for a foul on Hugill. The second came soon after as Asprilla was booked for delaying the taking of the free kick. That was his last involvement as he was replaced by Martins. At the same time Livermore and Lewis made way for Chakvetadze and Ince. The visitors made a double substitution with Kelly and Odoffin coming on in place of Peltier and Hugill.
The next chance for Rotherham came as Bramall played a cross for Kelly, Hamer caught the shot, but he was offside anyway. Then Martins exchanged short passes with Koné just outside the box, but the shot was well over the bar. The visitors had a chance to pull one back as Rathbone shot from inside the box, Hamer parried it and it fell to Bramall whose shot was deflected for a corner. The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Cafú picked up an injury after they had used all of their substitutes. The Hornets made a further change bringing Healey on for Rajović who left the field to an ovation. At this point, my attention was drawn to a group of about 6 children in the SEJ stand, who were standing and singing their hearts out for the Hornets. It was lovely to see. The fourth goal was a thing of beauty as Chakvetadze went on a great run before playing the ball out to Andrews who played a lovely ball for Ince who finished past Johansson. Ismaël made a final substitution bringing Dele-Bashiru on for Koné. The Hornets almost scored a fifth when Sema played the ball out to Martins, he crossed for Kayembe whose clever back heel rolled just wide of the post. There was seven minutes of added time and another great chance for a fifth when Dele-Bashiru tried a shot that Johansson parried but Healey was unable to apply the finishing touch. But we were not to be denied a fifth goal as Ince played the ball to Healey who needed time to control the ball so was closed down before shooting. It seemed that the chance had gone, but he played a clever ball to Martins who found the net and then ran to the front of the Rookery to celebrate with the fans there. The final whistle went to great celebrations. The young cheerleaders in the SEJ had ripped their replica shirts off and were twirling them around their heads.
What a difference a week makes. From utter tedium at Huddersfield to a thrilling goal fest at Vicarage Road. The Hornets had dominated both games against poor opposition, but the difference came with the attacking intent shown. Huddersfield had set up to defend, but I felt that the Hornets didn’t press them enough. Against Rotherham there were plenty of willing runners who got behind the defence and caused problems. King Ken was one, but it was also great to see Andrews back making surging runs. Rajović had a great day at the office. He can be invisible when there is no service, but he was perfectly placed for both of Sema’s crosses and is the goal poacher that we needed. Hamer didn’t have a lot to do, but coped well with everything that Rotherham threw at him, which was good to see given how little he has played of late.
So, we go into the international break after a 6 game unbeaten run and are now looking up the table rather than down. But, more importantly, the football was entertaining. More of that please, lads.
Fran's Watford Blog 