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25th March 2014- Championship, Watford 3 Blackburn Rovers 3

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Referee: Darren Sheldrake
Attendance: 13,921

An injury-time header from Rudy Gestede secured a point for Blackburn at Vicarage Road, denying Watford a seventh straight home win.

So, this is all a bit weird. For the first time in twenty-odd years, I’m visiting – definitely feels like visiting – Vicarage Road with almost no context in which to place the game I’m about to see. Last time around, a little person’s lifetime ago, it was all George Thorne and Diego Fabbrini and getting stuffed at home by Yeovil; our habit of wandering around with immaculate hair and shoelaces undone had, inevitably, led to us plunging head-first towards the bottom of a steep flight of stairs. All of last season’s joie de vivre had gone, leaving only the witless confusion of that ridiculous, disastrous second half against Leeds, the pivotal moment of Gianfranco Zola’s reign. It wasn’t any fun.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2014-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-championship/25-march-2014/
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25th March 2006- Championship, Watford 0 Millwall 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4706

The city of Sheffield rendered this result potentially disastrous for Watford and less than satisfactory for Millwall. While the Hornets lost vital promotion ground on a victorious Sheffield United, Millwall failed to make up any on Sheffield Wednesday, comfortable winners over Wolves, in their struggle for survival.

“It makes my back itch.” This is a favourite saying of my mother’s. It describes the feeling you get when something inevitable, and usually unpleasant or unfortunate, is about to happen. It is most often used when watching formulaic sit-coms featuring the likes of Frank Spencer or Mr Bean. It also applies to disaster movies such as “Titanic” or “Towering Inferno”. Quite why her back should itch, I don’t know but I know what she means. In these situations I would rather not watch. When your back itches, you can be sure that inevitable disaster will just be round the corner. The solution? Avoid watching things that have a script featuring inevitable disaster. I suppose that this disaster was inevitable from the moment I was asked to write the match report. I seem to get a lot of such games either for this website or the Free Observer. A home banker on paper, I just got that back-itching feeling (in my legs).

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2006-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-championship/25-march-2006/
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25th March 2000- Premier League, Watford 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4393

BSAD report: There are less than ten minutes left. Robbo’s receiving a pass and steaming down the left like an irate, stampeding wildebeest. He whacks a cross towards the penalty area, hitting a defender and winning a corner. His momentum takes him over the touchline and towards the Rookery, fists clenched and bellowing insanely to demand more support. Spurs are visibly rattled by our bruising assault, suddenly defending a draw rather than pursuing a victory.

In the stand that Robbo’s glaring at, we’re all on our feet. My vocal chords are taking more abuse, screaming encouragement. I’m bracing myself for the winner.

Take a freeze-frame of that moment. Think about it. We’re supposed to have accepted relegation, to feel humbled by the Premiership experience. Yet it takes only the slightest encouragement to flip the script entirely, to bring us back to life as this roaring, snarling beast of a team.

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25th March 1972- Division Two, Watford 1 Carlisle United 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2918
Evening Standard, 25 Mar 1972
Sunday Mirror, 26 Mar 1972
Sunday People, 26 Mar 1972

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1972-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/25-march-1972/
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25th March 1967- Division Three, Watford 1 Leyton Orient 3

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2667
Evening Standard, 25 Mar 1967
Sunday People, 26 Mar 1967
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1967-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/25-march-1967/
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25th March 1961- Division Three, Watford 2 Grimsby Town 0

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2363

Watford Observer match report

Sunday Dispatch, 26 Mar 1961
Sunday People, 26 Mar 1961
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1961-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/25-march-1961/
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25th March 1958- Division Three (South), Watford 2 Crystal Palace 1

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

https://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Daily Telegraph, 25 Mar 1958
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1958-03-25
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/25-march-1958/

21st March 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Leicester City 0

Watford Observer: Still on whether he judges himself on points or performances

Still not focused on the ramifications of Leicester game

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Watford 0-0 Leicester City

Five talking points as Watford held to Leicester stalemate

Match Report: Selvik saves penalty as Watford and Leicester slog to goalless draw

Still: Watford played through the pain barrier and wanted ‘close game’

BBC: Patson Daka had a penalty saved as relegation threatened Leicester City were held to a goalless draw by play-off chasing Watford.

Sky :Daka’s 40th-minute spot-kick was brilliantly tipped on to the post by home goalkeeper Egil Selvik. The striker also headed wide of a near open goal in the second half as the Foxes failed to climb out of the bottom three.

BHappy: Forgive me, I know that ranting about referees is unspeakably dull and I wouldn’t for one moment suggest that his performance had anything to do with the disappointing outcome of this game, but I do need to try to extract some pleasure from the exercise. As the second half descended into mind-numbing stalemate, Smith seemed determined to inject some randomness into proceedings with a series of absurd decisions in both directions. The most bizarre, a yellow against Doumbia which saw him drop to his knees in astonishment after he held off an aggressive challenge from behind. In the first half, the official had dropped the ball and run off the pitch and down the tunnel during a break in play that contributed to eight minutes being added before the interval; one can only assume that in the interim some sort of alien abduction took place, or an unwise experiment with hallucinogenic drugs such was his performance in the second half. No surprise at all that when Bobby Decordova-Reid obstructed Egil Selvik’s attempt at a clearance even the Norwegian, that mildest-mannered of mild-mannered janitors, was at a boiling point that saw a significant scuffle ensue. “That was the ref’s fault”, said everyone in the stadium (as well as the interfering extra-terrestrials, one assumes).

Fran’s Watford Blog: There was disaster for the Hornets ten minutes before the break as Fatawu went on a dangerous run into the box, getting behind Formose Mendy who tripped him. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot. The penalty was at the same end as Knockaert’s all those years ago and Selvik did an Almunia by diving the right way and pushing Daka’s shot onto the post where it rebounded out sparking joyous celebrations in the home stands

From the Rookery End: Watford served up the full emotional buffet this week — from the genuine high of a feel-good win over Wrexham (and that moment), to the all-too-familiar frustration of a stop-start, slightly baffling 0-0 with Leicester.

17th March 2026- Championship, Watford 3 Wrexham 1

Watford Observer: Minute’s applause for Amelia Aplin to be held during Wrexham game

Doumbia out to set the tone on decisive night at Vicarage Road

I’m not a fan of the club using AI to create images, especially not of legendary players. The back row here looks like they got together a load of look a likes.

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Watford 3-1 Wrexham

Five talking points as Watford win to keep play-off hopes alive

Match Report: Bove seals the deal as Watford bounce back to beat Wrexham 3-1

Still: ‘We did the basics right – that’s the big positive’

GALLERY: Best images of Bove’s Rookery End goal and celebration

BBC: Watford kept their Championship play-off hopes alive while denting those of Wrexham by beating the Red Dragons at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Goals from Marc Bola and Edo Kayembe did the damage for the Vicarage Road outfit and although Max Cleworth pulled a goal back for the hosts, Edoardo Bove netted his first Hornets goal in stoppage time.

Fran’s Watford Blog: On 15 minutes, there was a minute’s applause in memory of Watford fan, Amelia Aplin, who passed away after collapsing while playing in goal for Oxford Academy. As fans at both ends of the ground stood to applaud, the ball went out for a throw and the game paused while the players and officials joined in the applause. It was a wonderful tribute, and I doubt there was a dry eye in the stadium.

14th March 2026- Championship, Stoke City 3 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Watford working on aggression and playing forwards ahead of ‘tough’ Stoke clash

Stoke trip is a test of whether Still is making Watford better

Still – ‘The only question is how to win – 4-4-2, 3-4-3, I don’t care’

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Stoke City 3-1 Watford

Match Report: Play-off hopes hanging by a thread as Stoke beat wasteful Watford 3-1

Still insists Watford’s season is not over after Stoke defeat

Still adamant Watford have the strength of character to do better

Another season fades away as Watford can’t master the art of winning

Irankunda left out because ‘he can’t rock up, expect to start and not perform’

BBC: Million Manhoef’s brace helped Stoke return to winning ways with a comfortable victory at home to Watford.

Sky: The Dutch winger found the net either side of half-time before Sam Gallagher added a third late on just after Nestory Irankunda’s stunning strike had pulled one back for the Hornets.

Fran’s Watford Blog: There were very few travelling Hornets left in the away end at the final whistle. The players were greeted with a mix of sympathetic applause and boos. One fan near the front expressed his dismay in such a way that Bola reacted angrily and came over to remonstrate with him. Pollock followed and ushered him away.

From the Rookery End: Back behind the mic, Jon and DCW look back on a bruising week for Watford after a frustrating draw at Sheffield Wednesday and a damaging defeat at Stoke. There’s talk of missed chances, flat performances, fading playoff hopes and what Ed Still can realistically get out of this squad in the final stretch. The lads also hear from the Watford Observer’s Adam Drury, who was at the bet365 Stadium and shares what Ed Still had to say in the aftermath of the defeat. Plus, with Wrexham and Leicester up next, they ask what there is still to play for — and whether simply finding some stability might be the biggest win of all.

10th March 2026- Championship, Sheffield Wednesday 1 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Pollock touch-and-go as Still seeks best display of his reign at Sheff Wed

How Still has used 11-day break as a ‘mini pre-season’

Kjerrumgaard has been ‘one of the standout players’ under Still

Watford need two months of stable, solid football – starting tonight

Still: ‘We’re aware of what a difficult opponent Sheff Wed will be’

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford equalise late but fall short in poor 1-1 draw at Sheff Wed

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Watford

Still points to missed chances and second-half mistakes after Hillsborough draw

Lack of composure and ideas saw fragile Watford fall into Sheff Wed’s trap

Ngakia set for weeks on the sidelines with hamstring injury

Fixing possession problems a tougher job mid-season, says Still

BBC: Sheffield Wednesday were denied only their second league win of the season right at the death as Vivaldo Semedo’s late equaliser earned Watford a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough.

Sky: Wednesday, who have been in administration since October and are already relegated from the Championship following an 18-point deduction by the EFL, were minutes away from ending a wretched winless run going back to September when Jerry Yates’ second-half header put them in front.

27th February 2026- Championship, Bristol City 1 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Team news: Goglichidze should return and ‘probably too early’ for Bove to start

Watford aiming to maintain good record after referee named for City trip

Still on back three option and where Bove and ‘class act’ Ekwah fit

Still: ‘It’s up to me to get Chakvetadze shining again’

Still claims Mfuni’s potential compares to current Man City centre-back Khusanov

Bristol City have one fit centre-back for Watford clash

Still addresses the need for Watford to string wins together quickly

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Bristol City 1-2 Watford

Match Report: Ngakia stunner earns crucial 2-1 win at Bristol City

Still: Watford starting to believe in each other after Ngakia ‘worldie’

Still asked ‘knackered’ players and staff for one more push at half-time

Head coach on Selvik’s response to Ipswich and Kjerrumgaard’s ‘high-level’ movement

Mfuni: ‘I’m loving every second of it’

In the race? Assessing Watford’s play-off chances

BBC: Jeremy Ngakia’s sublime second-half strike gave Watford victory at Championship play-off rivals Bristol City, who they leapfrogged in the table up to seventh.

Sky: The visitors took a seventh-minute lead when Giorgi Chakvetadze’s penetrating run down the right found Edo Kayembe, who pulled the ball back from the byline for Luca Kjerrumgaard to fire home from six yards. But City were level in the 36th minute when Scott Twine powered a close-range header past Egil Selvik from an inviting Adam Randell cross from the right.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The celebrations after the final whistle were joyous. The crowd was bouncing and, once the pleasantries with the officials and the opposition had been completed, the players all came over to greet the crowd. Ed Still came over pumping his fist at the crowd. Then Irankunda and Mfuni joined in, taking it in turns and fist pumping in unison as the crowd cheered. Finally, after finishing their interviews with Sky Sports, Ngakia and Kjerrumgaard came over to celebrate. Ngakia was beaming as he clutched his man of the match award. His smile broadened even further when he was serenaded with “Came from West Ham on a free. His name is Jeremy.” Wonderful stuff. I may have gone to the game on my own, but I was treated to lots of smiling faces and hugs on my way out of the ground.

From the Rookery End: Back at their spiritual home of The Railway Arms in Oxhey, Jon, Jordi and Jason reflect on a week that perfectly sums up Watford’s season so far. From the frustrating 2-0 home defeat to Ipswich to the much brighter 2-1 response away at Bristol City, the lads dig into what Ed Still tweaked — and what it might mean going forward.

24th February 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Ipswich Town 2

Watford Observer: Team news: Maamma and Baah unlikely to feature against Ipswich

How Still has changed the way Watford train, with 45 minutes on pitch pre-Ipswich

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-2 Ipswich Town

Five talking points from Watford’s defeat to Ipswich

Match Report: Ipswich inflict first defeat on Still with 2-0 win at Watford

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 0-2 Ipswich Town

Still reflects on ‘game of two halves’ after Watford beaten 2-0 by Ipswich

Still explains change in system was due to injured wingers

Watford striker Doumbia handed three-match ban for Ipswich shove

BBC: Ipswich Town revived their hopes of automatic promotion as Sindre Walle Egeli and George Hirst gave them victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Kieran McKenna’s visitors moved up to third by getting the better of Ed Still’s play-off hopefuls, who saw Tom Ince’s late penalty saved by Town goalkeeper Christian Walton.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a disappointing performance after the great showing against Derby. Still started with five at the back, but we didn’t really get going in the first half. There was a better showing in the second half, and we created some decent chances, but Ipswich were worthy winners. I have to say that in both games that we have played against them, I thought that Ipswich were the best team that I have seen this season. While the team performance left something to be desired, Mfuni was outstanding again, his composure on the ball is remarkable in one so young. Abankwah, who had been outstanding on Saturday had a few dodgy moments on this occasion. Our attacking play definitely suffered due to the absence of Maamma. The news that he will be missing for some time is a cause for concern. It was good to see Bove get some time on the pitch. He is clearly a talented footballer, and I look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the future.