Featured post

16th March 2024- Championship, Birmingham City 0 Watford 1

WFC.Net Goal Commentary: 1

BBC: Struggling Birmingham City were left ruing a defensive lapse that ruined an otherwise much-improved performance as Emmanuel Dennis’ first-half goal gave Tom Cleverley a win in his first game as Watford interim head coach.

Sky: Aiwu could not control Cody Drameh’s throw-in across his own penalty area and Dennis got the better of the defender before finishing ruthlessly past John Ruddy.

BHappy: There’s a new broom in town… and yes, yes, we’re quite used to that and no, it’s not all about the head coach, deeper problems, yada yada.  Nonetheless.  There’s a newness to it and the potential for something different.  Daughter 2 notes that the large away end is full.  It’s not just the convenient distance that has brought folk out, and the new (interim) head coach’s name is being sung before the man himself even appears.

Fran’s Watford Blog: So, the Cleverley era started with a win, but it had been a very poor game of football between two poor teams.  The Hornets had taken the three points based on an opportunist goal and a couple of excellent saves from Bachmann.  Pollock impressed as did Porteous and Tom Dele-Bashiru, but the forwards had a disappointing afternoon.  Still, three points are always welcome, and we now have a fortnight to prepare for the challenges of the Easter weekend.  Let’s hope that this result will instil some confidence and that the remaining games yield some entertainment.  This has been a trying season.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68519397
Featured post

16th March 2021- Championship, Rotherham United 1 Watford 4

BBC Sport: Watford strengthened their grip on second place in the Championship as they scored four goals against relegation-threatened Rotherham.

Sky Sports: Chile international Francisco Sierralta opened the scoring with his first goal in English football and further efforts from Ismaila Sarr and Ken Sema put Xisco Munoz’s men firmly in the ascendancy at the break. After Michael Smith had a penalty saved for the Millers, Freddie Ladapo pulled a goal back in spectacular fashion but Dan Gosling swiftly responded to extinguish any hopes of a comeback.

BHappy: At the centre of much of it, and critical to all three of the first half goals, was Philip Zinckernagel.  The Dane’s startling record in Norway came with the caveat that, you know, it was in Norway;  a slight concern that he’d left Denmark at the age of 24 without having pulling up any trees.  He’s shown flashes of quality before now, but this was a startling performance… for the first, he cut back onto his right foot and dropped a cross onto Sierralta’s head.  The Chilean held off his marker to dump the ball past Blackman, stranded on his line, spent a couple of seconds recovering his senses and then rose with what is becoming a trademark two-fisted bellow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56329360

Featured post

16th March 2019- FA Cup Sixth Round, Watford 2 Crystal Palace 1

Leave a Reply
Referee:
Kevin Friend
Attendance:
18,104
1-0
2-1

Watford and Crystal Palace going head to head in FA Cup quarter final

Gracia On Gray: “I Am Happy For Him”

Watford beat Crystal Palace in FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Andre Gray winner

Watford vs Crystal Palace: Javi Gracia praises Heurelho Gomes after FA Cup quarter-final triumph

Watford vs Crystal Palace: Javi Gracia stresses the Hornets’ strength as a team

Adrian Mariappa says Watford are not getting carried away over FA Cup semi-final

Andre Gray said his goal for Watford against Crystal Palace was ‘special’

Second-half substitute Andre Gray scored two minutes after coming on to send Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with victory over Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road.

Gray’s goal 11 minutes from time booked Watford’s place at Wembley for the second time in four years after a passionate quarter-final at Vicarage Road, which the hosts were good value for edging. They took advantage of increasing first-half momentum to move ahead on the half-hour when Etienne Capoue was teed up by Craig Cathcart after Vincent Guiata missed a punch from a corner. But Michy Batshuayi then levelled after half-time following a horrible mistake from Adrian Mariappa.

As it happened

Nearly 35 years since their solitary appearance in the FA Cup final under Graham Taylor, Watford now have the chance under Gracia to emulate that famous side by reaching the Wembley showpiece match in May for a second time. The Spaniard’s name reverberated around the stadium at the final whistle as the veteran goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes – who is planning to take up a new career as a pastor at the end of the season – wept tears of joy. “When the team was suffering in the second half they were very important for the team,” Gracia said of his club’s fans. “I think they really lifted our players.”

The tide of confidence was rolling by 11.15. That’s when “it’s bloody Palace, isn’t it?” was swept over and crushed. But in effect the build up to that wave, the little ripples, started at least a week earlier as Palace lost to Brighton, Southampton and Newcastle earned unlikely wins and the Eagles started looking over their shoulders again. So when Zaha pulled a calf muscle in training it was never going to be risked.

The 1881 had put incredible efforts into making sure that there would be a tremendous atmosphere.  When we took our seats, the ground was already full of people waving flags.  The big screen was showing footage of earlier quarter-finals.  I enjoyed watching John Barnes lobbing Tony Coton in 1984, but it is the Arsenal game in 1987 that always comes to mind.  I loved that day out at Highbury.

Watford’s road to the FA Cup final: Andre Gray strike beats Crystal Palace in quarter-final

On this day in pictures: Watford beat Crystal Palace to reach FA Cup semi-final

https://oldwatford.com/2019/04/02/2nd-april-2019-premier-league-watford-4-fulham-1/
Featured post

16th March 2010- Championship, Watford 2 Ipswich Town 1

Leave a Reply

Will Hoskins’ late strike helped Watford edge away from the drop zone and dragged Ipswich back into trouble. Henri Lansbury opened the scoring for the Hornets when his 35-yard free-kick eluded everyone and sailed straight in.

Yes, yes, Will Hoskins. We’ll come to him in a moment, for we must first pause to salute Lord Doyley. The bravura pirouette in the first half, followed by splendid left-footed cross onto the head of Heidar Helguson at the far post, was the stuff of ten minute standing ovations. But the defending often deserved a similar response: one early Ipswich attack bounded eagerly over the halfway line, discovered Jay Demerit too far forward, threatened to burst dangerously into the penalty area…and then found itself quietly shepherded to somewhere near the corner flag, any spark of danger suffocated by a gigantic, inescapable wet blanket. He must be utterly miserable to play against, ninety minutes of having your bright ideas tied up in red tape by the local health and safety officer.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2010-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-championship/16-march-2010/
Featured post

16th March 2004- New Division One, Watford 2 Derby County 1

Leave a Reply

Mar16 0Mar16 1Mar16 2Mar16 3Mar16 4Mar16 5Mar16 6Mar16 7Mar16 8Mar16 9Mar16 10Mar16 11Mar16 12Mar16 13Mar16 14Mar16 15Mar16 16Mar16 17Mar16 17Mar16 15Mar16 18Mar16 19Mar16 20Mar16 21Mar16 22Mar16 23Mar16 24Mar16 25Mar16 26Mar16 27Mar16 28Mar16 29Mar16 30Mar16 31

BSAD imageBSAD report: The second half picked up where the first half finished, with the Hornets in the ascendancy. Devlin might have had a penalty having been brought down by Boertien, but better was to follow on fifty-two minutes. Helguson flicked on a long ball from stand in skipper Neal Ardley, who also defied his critics with a determined display at right back. Gavin Mahon picked up the flick and bulldozed his way into the box, where he applied a neat finish to give the Hornets the lead. Get in there. Yes, Yes and YES!

Screen Shot 2018-03-12 at 19.03.19Screen Shot 2018-03-12 at 19.02.17

More games from 16th March at https://oldwatford.com/tag/mar16

Featured post

16th March 2002- New Division One, Watford 3 Coventry City 0

Leave a Reply

Went off half time 2-0 up after another headed goal from Brown having dominated the first half. Mahon, in particular, had been a star in defence but, on the rare occasion that the boyz had given, or lost the ball, they went looking for it as unit, and worked very, very hard. Delightful stuff.

Still, let’s enjoy it. Sure, the scoreline gives little indication of what a hard-fought contest this was, nor that there were periods when Coventry were clearly on top. Until the third goal went in, we were never comfortable. That’s a good thing, though. We need challenges right now, we need to be tested, we want to get into the habit of meeting opponents head-on rather than hiding away. Just as we’d imagined that we’d seen all that Luca Vialli’s Watford had to offer – some gorgeous football, made mediocre by limp performances and stupid results – it has revealed a darker, more threatening side. A First Division mentality, if you like. A winning mentality, certainly.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2002-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/16-march-2002/
Featured post

16th March 1991- Division Two, Watford 1 Ipswich Town 1

Leave a Reply

Steve Palmer, representing Ipswich Town in this match, scored the Hornets goal. He would join us four years later and would go on to score a further 8 times for Watford.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1991-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/16-march-1991/
Featured post

16th March 1982- Division Two, Grimsby Town 0 Watford 2

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Daily Telegraph, 17 Mar 1982
Daily Mirror, 17 Mar 1982 (I couldn’t find any other information about why Tim Brooke-Taylor resigned)
Evening Standard, 17 Mar 1982
Grimsby Evening Telegraph, 17 Mar 1982

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1982-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/16-march-1982/
Featured post

16th March 1974- Division Three, Plymouth Argyle 2 Watford 0

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

https://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Evening Standard, 16 Mar 1974
Sunday People, 17 Mar 1974
Sunday Mirror, 17 Mar 1974

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1974-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/16-march-1974/
Featured post

16th March 1965- Division Three, Watford 1 Barnsley 1

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Daily Telegraph, 17 Mar 1965
The Guardian, 17 Mar 1965

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1965-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/16-march-1965/
Featured post

16th March 1963- Division Three, Northampton Town 1 Watford 0

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Sunday Pictorial, 17 Mar 1963

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1963-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/16-march-1963/
Featured post

16th March 1960- Division Four, Aldershot 2 Watford 2

Leave a Reply
http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2308
Aldershot News, 18 Mar 1960

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1960-03-16
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-four/16-march-1960/

Screen Shot 2017-08-18 at 21.17.54
Taken from the programme on 18th August 1998-League Cup First Round Second Leg, Watford 1 Cambridge Utd 1 (Cambridge won 2-1 on aggregate)

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.

21st February 2026- Championship, Watford 2 Derby County 0

Watford Observer: Eustace is winless from his five matches against Watford as a manager

Derby County preview: Play-off hopes on the line in three-game week

Irankunda ‘itching’ to return and accepts blame for suspension

‘The Matchday Edition’ – Watford launch new physical post-match publication

Team news: Pollock ‘touch-and-go’, Ngakia returns, Baah trains ‘really well’

Still knows it’s a big week for play-off hopes – but wants to stay present

Still wants balance between patience and ‘vertical football’ to beat Derby

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2026/february/21/digital-digest-derby-edition

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 2-0 Derby County

Five talking points as Watford beat Derby to give Still first victory

Match Report: Kjerrumgaard and Doumbia end winless run as Derby beaten 2-0

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 2-0 Derby County

Still believes Watford are ‘connecting again’ after Derby win

Maamma and Baah to be assessed after Derby injuries

Derby shut-out proved Abankwah is becoming the complete defender

Still on ‘winner’ Goglichidze, ‘big brother’ Kayembe and scoring strikers

Derby boss Eustace: Watford wanted it more than us

Still identifies where Watford can improve further after first win

BBC: Watford ended a run of seven Championship games without victory by beating play-off rivals Derby County.

Sky: It also extended a remarkable streak in this fixture, with Watford recording their sixth successive win over their opponents.

BHappy: So it’s hugely reassuring when we score within the first few minutes. It’s never anything but a delight to score at any time of course but here it’s particularly pivotal… the goal affords us the luxury of being able to hold Derby at arm’s length and, when they’re forced to commit forward to recover the game, to hit them with blistering counterattacks. Pretty much exactly what Derby would have chosen to be able to do to us, you suspect, and one caveat to the afternoon is the uncertain answer to the question, “How well would we have coped with having to chase the game?”.

From the Rookery End: After a winless run of 7 games, Watford marked Ed Still’s first home game in charge with a comprehensive win over fellow Play Off hopefuls Derby County.

14th February 2026- Championship, Preston North End 2 Watford 2

Watford Observer: Still calls on Watford to unite for play-off push

Bove will be on the bench at Preston as Still targets front-foot style

Preston preview: Still needs wins straight away, that’s the reality

Match Wrap: Preston North End 2-2 Watford – Watford FCDownload

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Preston North End 2-2 Watford

Match Report: Still’s Watford bow ends in ding-dong 2-2 at Preston

Still felt Watford did enough to win after Baah changed the game at Preston

Bove received dressing-room applause after emotional return to football

Still on why he selected four centre-backs: ‘It’s Preston away’

Preston verdict: How did Ed Still fare in his first match as Watford head coach?

BBC: Second-half substitute Milutin Osmajic rescued a draw for Preston to deny Ed Still victory in his first game as Watford’s new head coach.

Sky: Preston had taken the lead through a well-taken Lewis Dobbin strike in the 19th minute but were pegged back by Othmane Maamma’s cool 55th-minute leveller and fell behind due to an unfortunate own goal from Odel Offiah two minutes later.

BHappy: Since the half is characterised by North End being run ragged, they end the game utterly exhausted as every passing minute brings the possibility of victory closer. They’ll argue that the blocks and the deflections and the bodies earned their point, but nobody could have argued if one of the many chances had gone in to decide the game, least of all a sublime volley from Formose Mendy which span off the inside of the post, rolled along the goalline, by-passed the far post and went out for a goal kick. By this time a fine chant (new to my ears) had gained traction, celebrating Big and Little Mendy in turn to the tune of 2 Unlimited’s “No Limit”.

From the Rookery End: Watford travelled to Deepdale and returned with a 2-2 draw against Preston — a result that, for a first game under a new Head Coach, looks decent… but still leaves the same lingering annoyance. With the season entering the business end, draws aren’t enough, and the pressure is building to start turning draws into wins.