1997 All Over Again

Kamara on the ball

On Saturday evening my football crew decided to ensure that we had some entertainment this weekend by making a trip to the Almeida Theatre to see the musical Tammy Faye about the American TV evangelist from the 70s.  The Watford connection, apart from the audience, was that the music was written by Elton John.  With the book by James Graham and the lyrics by Jake Shears, it was always going to be good and I am delighted to report that it was as utterly bonkers as I hoped.  I loved it and I am not a fan of musicals.

Despite the fun evening, I did not sleep well and woke on Sunday morning with a sense of dread.  I left home early and boarded the train to Watford.  It was packed with the usual mix of Harry Potter and football fans, although the latter were not showing their allegiances.  By the time that I arrived in Watford the heavens had opened, so it was a very wet walk to the West Herts.  As I passed the Police station, there was a line of vans indicating the increased police presence for this game. On arrival at the West Herts, someone suggested that maybe the game would be called off due to the torrential rain.  I responded that I just wanted it over and done with.  While we were enjoying our pre-match pints, the sun came out and we could only hope that the golden glow extended to the game.

Bachmann takes a free kick

We left for the ground later than was intended, so we witnessed the trouble.  As we walked along Vicarage Road, there was a man with a bloody head talking to a police officer.  We then saw the crowd by the corner of Occupation Road.  There were two groups of fans, many with scarves over their faces, being held back by lines of police and the route to the Rookery appeared to be blocked.  That is, until someone had the bright idea of walking behind the burger van, we made our way through the people filming the confrontation and were soon in a deserted Occupation Road.

Team news was that there were three changes from the Millwall game.  Cathcart was back in place of Pollock, João Pedro and Kayembe replaced Asprilla and Louza.  So, the starting line-up was Bachmann; Kamara, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Gosling; Kayembe, Choudhury; Sarr, João Pedro, Sema; Davis.  When the teams were read out there were loud boos for the opposition and equally loud cheers for the Hornets.

Kamara congratulating Davis on his goal, some in the away end appear less than impressed

Watford had the best possible start as Sarr played the ball out to Kamara who crossed for Davis to acrobatically volley home.  That certainly calmed the nerves a bit.  Before the restart the referee called Cathcart over for a word, we could only assume that it was because the players had celebrated in front of the away fans.  Not the best idea.   The visitors had a chance to break back as a shot from Morris was blocked, the ball rebounded to Campbell whose shot was just wide of the target.  At this point, the Watford crowd were loudly mocking the away fans.  It felt far too early for that (pride coming before a fall and all that).  The visitors had another chance as Freeman met a cross from Lockyer, but Bachmann held the header.  The Hornets had a decent chance for a second as Davis went on a run and unleashed a great strike that Horvath pushed around the post.  Kamara tried to release Sarr but he tumbled in the box and the referee was having none of it.  Then Davis appeared to have been pushed over in the box, but his fall was rather dramatic and, again, the referee was unimpressed.  Sema broke forward and got a cross in but it was gathered by Horvath.  The Hornets threatened again as Davis played a lovely ball to Sarr who broke into the box, again he went down under a challenge and again nothing was given.  The first booking for the Hornets went to Davis for persistent foul play. 

Celebrating the second goal with the SEJ stand

The Hornets had a decent chance after Kayembe played a one-two with João Pedro on the edge of the box then switched feet before taking a shot, but Horvath was equal to it.  Then Gosling started a lovely move when he won the ball in the Watford half and released João Pedro, who went on a great run before playing the ball out to Sarr whose shot was wide of the target.  At the other end there was a scare when Bachmann came to meet a ball into the box by Freeman, Adebayo was first to the ball but could only head it over the bar.  The Hornets had a decent chance to increase their lead just before half time when João Pedro found Davis in the box, he turned to beat the defender but his shot was blocked by the keeper.  The Hornets got their second soon after, João Pedro played a short corner to Gosling, he returned the ball and the Brazilian crossed, it was met by Davis who headed it back for Troost-Ekong who finished from close range.  It seemed appropriate that the player who had been talking all week about being a Watford fan should score a goal and send his fellow fans into delirium.  One of the lads in the row in front ripped his shirt off in celebration.  Nigel and I had no choice but to show him a yellow card for his efforts.

So we went into half time two goals up and very happy indeed.

When Horvath came out to take his place in the goal in front of the Rookery for the start of the second half he was greeted with a smattering of applause, but mostly boos and chants of “scum”.  The visitors made a change at the break bringing Osho on for Bradley.

Celebrating the third goal

The first notable event of the half was a booking for Doughty who, after holding Sema back, decided to give him a kick for good measure.  There was a great chance for the visitors to pull a goal back from a corner, the ball flew across the goal but nobody was there to turn it in.  The Hornets scored their third on 56 minutes.  Davis chased down Osho who played the ball back to Horvath, Davis continued his run to close the keeper down and, in his panic, Horvath passed the ball to João Pedro who steadied himself before finding the net and sending us all wild as the players celebrated in front of the Rookery stand.  The visitors made another change before the restart bringing Cornick on for Freeman.  The Hornets were in command now and João Pedro went on a brilliant run before being fouled, Kayembe picked up the ball and took a shot that was wide of the target.  Campbell was booked for the foul in the build-up.  The visitors had a chance to pull one back when Morris met a cross from Clark but the header was caught by Bachmann.  João Pedro was having a wonderful game and, having lost out in a tackle, he fought back to regain the ball, broke forward and crossed for Sarr whose first touch was poor and the chance was gone.  There was then a bout of handbags that finished with both Sema and Cornick being shown a yellow card. 

Gaspar on the run

With 20 minutes remaining Davis picked up an injury, he went straight down the tunnel and was replaced by Bayo.  The visitors had a chance to pull one back with a shot from Clark that went through a group of bodies in the box, but Bachmann was well sighted and dropped to make the save.  There was a chant of “One Graham Taylor” from the home fans in the 72^nd minute to counterpoint the rather unpleasant chant from the away fans (which I was fortunate not to hear).  With quarter of an hour remaining Choudhury made way for Gaspar.  João Pedro tried to increase the lead with a looping shot from distance but it was easily caught by Horvath.  The visitors then made another change bringing Jerome on for Morris.  The fans had been chanting “We want four” and the Hornets obliged, Kayembe won the ball in midfield and passed to Bayo in the box, he played it out to Sarr who picked his spot before curling the ball past Horvath.  At this point I thought we might actually win the game.  The away fans were regaled with a chant of “Cheerio” and Harry the Hornet was waving them goodbye.  The visitors had a chance of a consolation when Cornick broke into the box but he flicked the ball just wide of the post.  It went from bad to worse for the visitors as Osho made a really nasty tackle on Sema which earned him a straight red, thankfully Ken was OK.  The home fans were really enjoying themselves, “4-0 to Watford, it’s happened again” was ringing out around the ground.  Bilić made two late changes bringing Asprilla and Kalu on for João Pedro and Sarr.  Watson replaced Campbell for the visitors.  It could have been five for the Hornets as Asprilla went on a brilliant run before taking a shot from a narrow angle that was blocked.  The final whistle went on an impressive and totally unexpected rout on derby day.

Challenging at a corner

The players went on an extended lap of the ground and were cheered and applauded all the way around.  I am usually pulling my replica shirt off at this point, but wanted to display my colours as I showed my appreciation.  Troost-Ekong appeared to be particularly delighted and Kamara was eliciting cheers from the Rookery.  Oh it was wonderful.  As Tim Coombs said, “It is like 1997 all over again.”

I wasn’t happy with the arrangements for leaving the ground, as sending us out to Cardiff Road only to then have to walk up Wiggenhall Road and cross Vicarage Road to get back to the West Herts made no sense to me.  We tried to leave through the Graham Taylor Stand but there were stewards blocking us from going that way.  When I complained, I was told it was for my safety, which would have had more credence if they were not allowing disabled people to leave that way.  Did their safety not matter?  In the end we left through the rear of the stadium and then walked round the back, past the 1881 bunker, and through the hospital car park to get to Harwoods Road.  It was just a minor inconvenience and we were soon back in the West Herts having a celebratory pint.  The smiles were very wide, and there was a sense of disbelief at what we had seen, especially among those who had been at the Den in midweek.

Before the game I think that the most that any of us were expecting was a draw.  We certainly had no reason to expect a win of that magnitude.  It was a magnificent performance by the team.  The return of Cathcart added assurance to the defence.  Kayembe had a really good game, as did Davis, who is growing into his role.  The run to close down the keeper which led to the third goal was magnificent.  João Pedro was incredible.  Adam had suggested before the game that he could take on the Louza role and we certainly saw some of that.  He thoroughly deserved the Man of the Match award.  But it was a team performance.  Every one of them worked hard, they worked together and they were far better than the opposition who came to Vicarage Road with some confidence having gone seven games unbeaten.  It could have been 6 or 7 and not even the most optimistic of Watford fans would have predicted that before the game.  After this and the Stoke game I am beginning to think that we should play all of our games at midday on a Sunday. I stayed in the West Herts for another drink after the rest of my party left and caught up with some other regulars before heading for the Met station to get the tube back to London.  A number of my friends had decided to give the game a miss due to the potential for trouble and I felt so sorry for them.  Games like that do not come around very often and the joy of being there will live long in the memory.  All of the anger of recent weeks was gone as the players and the fans were joined in the joy of beating our rivals.  We have had a few false dawns, please let this be the turning point in our season.

Missed Chances and Flukey Goals

Sierralta and Elliot in conversation

For once my travel planning went well and I arrived at Euston just as the 5:09 was about to leave, so was in Watford pleasingly early.  During the day, some of our group that had been intending to go to the game had to drop out due to various ailments meaning that the attendance at the West Herts was likely to be sparse.  I was saved with a guest appearance from Mike, a friend from City Orns, who was also without his usual football mates, so deigned to come and have a drink with me.  The turn out overall was very sparse in the bar, so I was not expecting much of a crowd.

We left in plenty of time for the game and there was no queue at the Rookery turnstiles, but they seemed to have upped the security.  The guy checking bags was complaining that he couldn’t see the contents.  Surely, he should have been equipped with a torch for an evening game.  Then I was told that I would have to be patted down.  I asked why they had started this and was told that they have been doing it for several weeks, which was clearly not the case as this was the first time that I had seen anyone being searched at those turnstiles.

Louza and debutant Tufan

Team news was that there would be debuts for Rob Elliot and Ozan Tufan.  The starting line-up was Elliot; Masina, Sierralta, Kabasele, Ngakia; Louza, Tufan, Gosling; Sema, Fletcher, Hernández.  Ben Wilmot was starting for Stoke and was given a really good reception by the Watford fans.

Prior to kick-off, there was a minute’s applause for Jimmy Greaves which was enthusiastically supported by all in the ground.

The game kicked off and there were early chances for both teams when, first Doughty for the visitors, and then Tufan for the Hornets blazed shots over the bar.  Stoke created the next chance after Tymon beat Louza and found Powell who shot wide of the near post.  The visitors opened the scoring on 25 minutes.  It came from a mistake from Ngakia who was trying to shepherd the ball out near the corner flag, Doughty nicked it off him and crossed for Powell who turned the ball in at the near post.  The Hornets tried to hit back after a lovely run from Hernández (who I failed to identify for 40 minutes due to his newly dark hair) who found Gosling who set up Masina for a shot that was parried by Davies, the ball found its way back to Gosling whose shot required a decent save from Davies to preserve the Stoke lead. 

Gathering for a corner

The Hornets threatened again when Sema crossed to the far post for Gosling whose header flew over the bar.  Watford should have drawn level after what looked like a mishit shot from Ngakia was headed back across goal by Kabasele to Masina, who had the goal at his mercy, but shot over the bar.  At the other end, Tymon hit a low shot from distance, but Elliot was down to make the save.  Then a cross from Hernández was headed clear to Masina who shot wide of the target.  The Hornets had another decent chance from a corner, when Kabasele’s header was blocked and the ball fell to Ngakia but the shot was over the bar.  The visitors had the last chance of the half, also from a corner, but Batth headed wide and we reached half time with the Hornets a goal down.

It was World Alzheimer’s Day so, at half time, a film about the Golden Memories scheme was shown on the big screen.  It was really lovely.  It is such an amazing project that is doing so much good for fans with dementia.  It was especially lovely to see Rita Taylor and Luther Blissett working as volunteers sharing memories with the fans.

Louza congratulates Fletcher on his goal as Sierralta looks very happy

The Hornets had an excellent chance at the start of the second half as Hernández crossed for Fletcher whose header was on target but Davies, again, managed to make the save.  The Hornets had another decent chance after a lovely cross-field pass from Louza found Hernández on the right, he advanced before cutting into the box to hit a shot that was deflected over the bar.  Another lovely move deserved more as Tufan played the ball out to Hernández who crossed for Fletcher, but his header was easily saved by Davies.  Watford threatened again as Masina crossed for Tufan whose header was dropping for Sema until Davies intervened.  Hernández was a complete menace at this stage and started the next move, playing the ball out to Tufan who crossed for Gosling whose header flew just past the top corner.  Just after the hour mark Fletcher found Hernández in the box, his shot was blocked by Davies, but dropped nicely for Fletcher who back heeled it over the line.  I checked that the lino wasn’t flagging before celebrating.  Michael in the row in front then checked that there was no VAR, so I knew I wasn’t the only one.  There was a double substitution for Stoke as Sima and Clucas replaced Surridge and Doughty.  The Hornets really should have taken the lead after Masina crossed to the back post for Hernández whose header rebounded back off the post and fell to Fletcher whose shot was deflected onto the same post.  How did that stay out? 

Gosling and Louza in conversation

Each side then made a change with Powell making way for Sawyers for the visitors and Sissoko replacing Louza for the Hornets.  Then, in the 80^th minute, out of nowhere, Watford were behind again when Clucas hit a curling shot from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection before nestling in the far corner.  It was their first real chance of the half and very frustrating after what had been a wonderful spell from the Hornets.  Almost immediately, Dennis, who had been preparing to come on for a while, replaced Gosling.  He was involved in the next attack after Sema played the ball back to him, but his shot was blocked.  The visitors threatened to increase their lead when Clucas hit a curling shot from the edge of the area that bounced back off the crossbar.  Stoke scored their third with a total fluke as Tymon crossed, it flew over Elliot and somehow the ball was in the top corner.  I was a bit shell-shocked at this point and many in the home crowd decided that they had seen enough.  The Hornets had a really good chance to pull one back after Sema advanced down the left and cut the ball back for Sissoko, but the shot was blocked by Dennis!!  It really wasn’t our day.  Then Tufan tried a shot from distance, but Davies got a hand to it.  Into time added on, Dennis won a free kick, which was taken by Tufan who blazed it over the bar and into the Rookery.

A dark haired Cucho with Fletcher and Tufan

At full time, there was a lot of grumbling, but Alex, who sits behind me, was very philosophical and echoed my feelings that we had played well and been really unlucky on the day.  We should have finished the chances that we had, but sometimes the post and the opposition keeper frustrate you.  Also, while Stoke’s first goal was due to a mistake, the other two came out of nothing, with the third appearing to be a complete fluke.  Watford had been very positive going forward and Cucho had a magnificent game, proving that blonds don’t always have more fun.  He worked well with Fletcher, who got into some great positions and deserved his goal.  Tufan’s debut was impressive and, if he continues in that vein, he will soon become a fan favourite.  Ngakia was at fault for the first goal, but he didn’t let it affect him and put in a decent performance after that.  So, there were plenty of positives to take out of a game which was far better than the scoreline suggested.

Also, in contrast to the Palace game, I arrived at the Junction to see that the 10:05 (fast train to Euston) was sitting on Platform 9.  I boarded with a couple of minutes to spare, so my journey home was painless and I was indoors at a very civilised hour.

There is no harm in no longer having the distraction of this cup which, given the attendance was only 8,421, is hardly a priority for the fans.  We can now look forward to the visit of Newcastle on Saturday and the hope that we can build on the positives from the Norwich game.