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.
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.
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.
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?
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 80th 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.
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.
Fran's Watford Blog 