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28th August 2013- League Cup Second Round, Watford 2 AFC Bournemouth 0

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches

BBC: Elliott Ward diverted the ball into his own net to give Watford the lead and Jonathan Bond tipped Cherries striker Brett Pitman’s free kick onto the post. Andrew Surman saw his header fly just wide while Shaun MacDonald twice went close for the visitors. But Watford sealed victory with Cristian Battocchio chipping Ryan Allsop to finish off a fine break.

BHappy: And so the prospect of a second game against the same opponents in such a short space of time is unusually appealing, somewhat intriguing. Bournemouth took a kicking in the latter stages of the league game, but their approach was pretty successful until then, and they might well have squeaked out a lead to defend with more decisive finishing. No need to dig out Plan B just yet. As for us, even with a second-string line-up, there’s enough here to expect some artistry and adventure….

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_Football_League_Cup
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28th August 2012- League Cup Second Round, Watford 1 Bradford City 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=5020

skyGarry Thompson struck a dramatic winner as League Two Bradford knocked Watford out of the Capital One Cup 2-1.

BBC SportFormer Celta Vigo winger Ikechi Anya put Watford ahead in the 71st minute with a 25-yard effort. Bradford equalised with six minutes remaining when the hosts failed to clear a long ball into the area and Kyel Reid lashed home. And, with the game heading to extra time, Thompson drilled home the winner to put the Championship side out.

Watford-1-2-Bradford-BBC-SportDownload
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Football_League_Cup
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28th August 2011- Championship, Watford 2 Birmingham City 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4972

BBC SportMartin Taylor scored an injury-time equaliser as Watford snatched a point against Birmingham City.

TelegraphMartin Taylor’s late equaliser against his former club, during a thrilling finale, compounded a bad weekend for Birmingham manager Chris Hughton, whose transfer target Nile Ranger was arrested the night before.

BHappy imageSo the first half of today’s game was a turgid embarrassment.

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28th August 2010- Championship, Watford 0 Leeds United 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4922

BBC SportLeeds captain Richard Naylor hit the winner in his 450th career appearance to end Watford’s unbeaten start to the season in a poor game at Vicarage Road.

skyLeeds United made it back-to-back Championship victories as captain Richard Naylor struck to end Watford’s unbeaten start to the season.

BSAD imageThe sort of game, frankly, that I was dreading in the summer. Leeds weren’t particularly better than us – but they were bigger, stronger and, crucially, one goal up for most of the game.

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28th August 2007- League Cup Second Round, Southend United 2 Watford 0

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BBC SportCharlie McDonald grabbed his first goal for Southend and created another as they knocked an under-strength Watford side out of the Carling Cup.

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16th September 2007- Championship, Watford 3 Southampton 2

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28th August 2004- Championship, Watford 3 Plymouth Argyle 1

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BSAD imageBSAD report: Ninety minutes is a long time, relatively speaking. (Relative to a shorter time, natch.) It’s quite easy to forget sometimes.  I mean, we all know that football matches can drag unspeakably, sloooowwwwiiiiinnnngggg tiiiiiimmmmmmeeeee until it almost seems to stop entirely. Such occasions are usually accompanied by bitter winter cold, a large entry into the “goals against” column, or the words “Carling Cup”. Oh, and at least four minutes of injury time.

Scan 95Scan 104Taken from the programme on 11th September 2004- Championship, Watford 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4613
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28th August 2000- New Division One, Watford 4 Sheffield United 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4406

BBC SportDespite being without two of their most expensive signings and influential players, Watford romped to victory over Sheffield United at Vicarage Road.

BSAD imageBSAD report: Four-one to the Golden Boys. Fond memories of similarly convincing scorelines against Swindon, Crewe and Stockport two years ago, back when life seemed so simple, the sun was always shining and Gifton was fit. Back when it was possible to be relaxed and happy as a game went into injury time, when it was conceivable that we might possess better individuals and score better goals than our opponents. With all due respect to Sheffield United, our first encounter with a recognisably run-of-the-mill First Division side was a singularly nostalgic experience.

Another BSAD report: What an afternoon. The framework of the Wimbledon game having been laid, we put out a team that played as fluently as any for two years. And without Nielsen, or Wooter, or Johnno, or Kennedy. My God, we’re a squad.

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17th September 2005- Championship, Watford 2 Sheffield United 3
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28th August 1998- New Division One, Watford 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4314

BSAD imageBSAD report: The first weeks of the season have offered a microcosm of Division One. The majority, including the sides we’ve already beaten, are charitable enough both in missing and donating chances that we have nothing to fear. Then there are the serious contenders – the teams that punish errors, the teams that have dealt with us comfortably.

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28th August 1982-Division One, Watford 2 Everton 0

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Watford Observer match report

Sunday Telegraph, 29 Aug 1982
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Daily Telegraph, 30 Aug 1982

scan-14Taken from 7 Sep 1982 Watford v Swansea City programme.

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Taken from ‘A Tale of the Unexpected’

21st August 1999- Premier League, Watford 1 Bradford City 0
21st August 2012- Championship, Watford 0 Ipswich Town 1
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28th August 1976- Division Four, Watford 2 Scunthorpe United 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3131
Sunday People, 29 Aug 1976

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1976-08-28
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-four/28-august-1976/
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28th August 1971- Division Two, Charlton Athletic 2 Watford 0

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Evening Standard, 28 Aug 1971
Sunday Mirror, 29 Aug 1971
Sunday People, 29 Aug 1971
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1971-08-28
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/28-august-1971/

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28th August 1961- Division Three, Peterborough United 4 Watford 3

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2376
Daily Mirror, 29 Aug 1961
Daily Telegraph, 29 Aug 1961

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1961-08-28
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/28-august-1961/
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28th August 1920- Division Three, Queens Park Rangers 1 Watford 2

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This was our first ever game in the Football League.

Taken from Oliver Phillips Watford Centenary Official Illustrated History
http://watford.fcdb.info?id=759
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1920-08-28
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/28-august-1920/

25th August 2026- League Cup Second Round, Watford 1 Peterborough United 5

Watford Observer: Dionisi could make up to 11 changes for Peterborough clash

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-5 Peterborough

Match Report: Very inexperienced Watford suffer rough 5-1 Peterborough defeat

Dionisi: The young boys weren’t ready – but I had no choice

Dionisi not expecting new signings before West Ham on Saturday

Peterborough hammering was an ugly look for Watford

BBC: League One Peterborough swept aside a youthful Watford XI in a pulsating tie at Vicarage Road to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Hornets boss Alessio Dionisi changed all 11 starters from Saturday’s Championship draw at Wrexham, handing six players their full debut and naming a back-four entirely of academy graduates.

From the Rookery End: A 5-1 defeat at Peterborough was painful enough, but the result only tells part of the story. Mike is joined by Watford Observer’s Adam Drury to pick through a night that exposed just how thin Watford’s squad has become. How have Watford reached this point? What does it tell us about the club’s recruitment and financial strategy? And with the transfer deadline approaching, can the gaps be filled before they cause even more damage?

22nd August 2026- Championship, Wrexham 1 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Dionisi could make changes to counter Wrexham’s physical threat

Why Watford must deliver at Wrexham despite being down to bare bones

Dionisi out to change Watford’s away mentality

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Wrexham 1-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford take hard-earned point from Wrexham in 1-1 draw

Dionisi ‘very, very happy’ with Watford display at Wrexham

BBC: After being denied victory in the final moments in last week’s 1-1 draw at Cardiff City, Wrexham had to come from behind when Luca Kjerrumgaard glanced home a clever Omar Traore cross after just 12 minutes.

Sky: Lewis O’Brien led a slick breakout and Moore found Imray to beat both goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia and Matty Pollock’s despairing attempt on the goal-line.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another nervy second half for the Hornets, although not of Southampton proportions, but the lads put in another strong defensive showing. The loss of Traoré had been worrying, but Eames did very well, putting in an assured performance. The goal from Kjerrumgaard was well taken and showed what he can do if you play to his strengths. I was pleased for him, as it is always good for a striker to beat their duck. Bravo had another good game and looks as though he will be a very good addition to the squad. Maamma and Nabizada did not get into the game as much as the previous week, but all in all it was a decent performance away from home. I am loving Dionisi’s attacking approach and seeing the players all working hard for each other. The squad may be paper thin, but they are giving everything for the shirt.

From the Rookery End: Watford followed up victory over Southampton with a hard-earned point at Wrexham – and four points from the opening two games feels a long way from where many of us feared we might be.

16th August 2026- Championship, Watford 2 Southampton 1

Watford Observer: Dionisi on tough start: ‘It won’t be easy for the opposition either’

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 2-1 Southampton

Match Report: Outstanding Watford produce memorable 2-1 win over Southampton

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 2-1 Southampton

‘We were one team’ – Dionisi hails Watford mentality in Saints win

Dionisi: ‘Keben was probably better than everyone’

Keben and Bravo lead the way as Watford walk the walk

Nabizada: ‘I want to live this feeling every week’

BBC: Southampton were beaten in their first Championship match since the Spygate scandal, as Watford got off to a winning start under new boss Alessio Dionisi.

Sky: Summer signing Iker Bravo and teenage academy product Amin Nabizada gave new Watford manager Alessio Dionisi a fine win, while Southampton’s players were heckled, both on the pitch and from the stands, for their actions at the end of last season.

BHappy: The visitors look confident, capable, and are dominating the ball while we look a bit edgy. Dobbin escapes down the left and squares… we clear it unconvincingly, he’s flagged off anyway. Hector is booked for a clumsy foul… we can’t surely be this desperate, this stretched after only ten minutes? Then we score, and everything changes.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The pre-match tributes to Kevin Keegan and Kenny Jackett were both very emotional. Kenny is someone that I watched emerge from the youth team to become a legend. I was also lucky enough to meet him a few times and found him to be a lovely man who just wanted to chat to you about football. He was taken far too soon. The flag was a thing of beauty and the least that the fans could have done to honour Kenny. Special thanks to the 1881 for arranging it and to Roy and Phil for driving to Poland to collect it in time for the match.

From the Rookery End: A 2-1 win over Southampton gave Vicarage Road the sort of afternoon that has been in short supply recently, with two young players finding the net, a captain leading from the front and plenty of early signs of what Alessio Dionisi wants from his team.

8th August 2026- League Cup First Round, Watford 1 Crawley Town 0

Watford Observer: Team news: Ngakia close to return but Akomeah suffers injury

Watford out to defy poor EFL Cup record in Dionisi’s first competitive match

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-0 Crawley Town

Match Report: Last-gasp Bola rocket wins it for Watford against Crawley

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 1-0 Crawley Town

Dionisi hails ‘incredible’ Bola winner but has mixed views on Watford display

Bola raves about ‘breath of fresh air’ Dionisi, style of play and culture shift

Dionisi asking for daily updates on centre-back hunt and wants Irankunda replacement

Crawley boss to clip up Watford’s goal celebration as motivation

BBC: The Alessio Dionisi era at Watford began in unconvincing fashion with a last-gasp 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over League Two side Crawley Town at Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: As the clock reached 99 minutes, the ball came to Doumbia in the box, his shot was blocked and the clearance fell to Bola outside the box where he powered it home, to send the home fans wild with celebration. It was a cracking goal and no more than the Hornets deserved after a game in which they had 36 shots, 11 of which were on target.

29th July 2026- Friendly, Watford 0 Fiorentina 1

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-1 Fiorentina

Match Report: Watford beaten 1-0 by Fiorentina in final Vicarage Road friendly

Fiorentina Official Site:

BHappy: There was lots to like here beyond, you know, it just being football at Vicarage Road. There were things that weren’t quite right too, but we know that we have players to come in and the onset of actual competitive football to sharpen things up. As ever, looking forward to it.

25th July 2026- Friendly, Watford 3 Hansa Rostock 0

Watford Observer: Inside the safety plans as 6,000 Hansa Rostock fans set to head to Watford

Hansa Rostock tell fans to ‘treat the venue with respect’ as 6,000 head to Watford

WATCH: Hansa Rostock fans’ ‘walk-up’ to Vicarage Road

MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 3-0 Hansa Rostock

Match Report: Watford beat Hansa Rostock 3-0 in remarkable Vicarage Road atmosphere

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 3-0 Hansa Rostock

Hansa Rostock: https://www.fch.de