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3rd May 2025- Championship, Watford 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

Report: Watford 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday – Watford FCDownload

BBC: Moussa Sissoko’s fine equaliser ended Watford’s run of four consecutive defeats as they finished their season with a draw against Sheffield Wednesday, who clung on for point to stay above their hosts.

Sky: Josh Windass gave the Owls a 29th-minute lead but Moussa Sissoko replied in first-half added time to ensure a stalemate in a game between two teams with little left to play for.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Five talking points as Watford end season with draw

Watford 1 Sheff Wed 1 minute-by-minute report

Cleverley pleased to end with positive performance if not result

‘Football is about feeling a part of something and I certainly do here’

Season summed up on final day amid extended glimpse into possible bleak future

BHappy: We bossed the second period, without creating much in the way of clear cut chances. For that, again, Wednesday get some credit… there was a degree of them losing their heads; Valéry and Otegbayo were rattled, Gassama spent most of the game sitting on the turf sulking as the action flowed indifferently around him. Nonetheless, they kept us at arm’s length… our one clear opening coming when Doumbia worked himself through only to be denied in a game of wink murder by Wednesday’s outstanding player, goalkeeper Pierce Charles.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been a spirited second half and the Hornets were unlucky not to come away with all three points. The draw meant that Wednesday took 12th place, and we finished in 14th. It was a bit of a disappointment that we didn’t manage a top half finish but, given that we were predicted to have a relegation struggle, it wasn’t a bad season. We finished a place and a point better than last season, mostly due to the tremendous start that we had. But it is testament to the wonderful job that Tom Cleverley did that we were never in a relegation battle.

From the Rookery End: Watford’s 2024–2025 Season Ends with a 1–1 Draw Against Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town were relegated, and we marked a major milestone with a 15th birthday party for the podcast!

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3rd May 2014- Championship, Watford 1 Huddersfield Town 4

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=5119

Substitute Danny Ward scored a hat-trick to help Huddersfield Town finish the season on a high and end Watford’s 10-game unbeaten run at Vicarage Road.

The “lap of honour” at the end of the game was peculiar in the extreme.  The stands were… not empty, but not thronging with acclaim as they surely would have been given any kind of performance on the day.  It’s been a disappointing season, given the expectations we went in with… but it’s not been that bad for the most part.  There have been good wins, good performances, and everyone wants to leave happy.  As it was, those that remained were surely largely there for one man only.

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3rd May 2009- Championship, Watford 3 Derby County 1

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Brendan Rodgers last programme notes. This was the game where John Eustace, a Watford player but on loan to Derby, played against us and scored.

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4867

Two goals from Grzegorz Rasiak helped Watford to a victory that was not quite as emphatic as the scoreline suggests.

OK, so final day of the season, not much to play for (save finishing above Palace, always nice…).  But given that… what a very fine way to end the campaign.  Nigel Clough’s assertion that the first goal was pivotal was probably fair enough – the game was wide open from the start – but the implication that the Rams were worth something woefully optimistic.

https://oldwatford.com/2019/01/19/19th-january-2019-premier-league-watford-0-burnley-0/
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3rd May 2000- Premier League. Leeds United 3 Watford 1

http://watford.fcdb.info/

BBC Sport: Leeds cruised to a comfortable win over relegated Watford to greatly improve their chances of a Champions League place next season.

Daily Telegraph, 4 May 2000
Guardian, 4 May 2000

BSAD: The goal, when it arrived, was gorgeous. Hyde found Perpetuini on the left, who sent a very deep cross to the far post. Helguson leapt impossibly high to cushion the ball down to Foley, whose crisp half volley left Martyn with no chance. Olé, olé olé olé, Foley, Foley. We cared about this one

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2000-05-03
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/03-may-2000/
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3rd May 1986- Division One, Watford 1 Manchester United 1

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English Division One (old)Table »
Birmingham City0-1Arsenal
Chelsea0-1Liverpool
Coventry City2-1Queens Park Rangers
Everton6-1Southampton
Leicester City2-0Newcastle United
Manchester City1-1Luton Town
Oxford United1-2Nottingham Forest
Sheffield Wednesday1-0Ipswich Town
Tottenham Hotspur4-2Aston Villa
Watford1-1Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion2-3West Ham United
Screen Shot 2017-05-03 at 14.07.19.png
http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3661
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3rd May 1978- London Five-a-side Football Tournament (at Wembley Arena)

We beat Fulham 3-2 on penalties after a Luther Blissett goal had given us a 1-1 draw. We then beat Crystal Palace 4-3 on penalties after goals from Dennis Booth and Keith Prichett had given us a 2-2 draw. We lost 3-2 to eventual winners Millwall in the semi finals with Luther Blissett scoring both for us.

Standard, 3 May 1978
Standard, 4 May 1978

Watford Observer report

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3rd May 1972- London Five-a-side Football Tournament (at the Empire Pool, Wembley)

We lost to FA Amateur Cup Winners Hendon 1-0 in the Preliminary Round. What a fun night out it must have been for any Hornets who made the effort.

Evening Standard, 3 May 1972
Evening Standard, 4 May 1972

Watford Observer report

25th April 2026- Championship, Middlesbrough 5 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Team news: Ekwah returns for Middlesbrough, Ngakia and Bola closer to starts

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

Match Report: Watford complete miserable away run with 5-1 Boro loss

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Middlesbrough 5-1 Watford

Still: Reset needed ‘on many points’ as Boro defeat shows lack of togetherness

BBC: Middlesbrough remain in the race for automatic promotion from the Championship as they demolished mid-table Watford.

Sky: Boro’s 5-1 victory was their joint-biggest win of the season and came courtesy of doubles from Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway plus a goal from David Strelec. Watford’s goal came at the start of the second half from James Abankwah, but while the visitors were a match for their opponents for most of the first period, they were comprehensively outplayed after the break.

Fran’s Watford Blog: Ed Still’s team selection had been interesting. He had dropped the youngsters for a more experienced line up and it had worked. Not only did the team look more solid, but it was a surprisingly attacking performance and we were very unlucky to be behind at half time. Once the wholesale changes were made and the youngsters brought on just after the hour mark, it fell apart. But the hosts certainly had luck on their side with a couple of the goals, and the penalty was a silly mistake by Abankwah.

21st April 2026- Championship, West Bromwich Albion 3 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Can Watford provide some optimism at motivated West Brom?

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: West Brom 3-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford sink without a trace again in 3-0 West Brom defeat

Still insists Watford players are hurting after ‘hugely painful’ defeat

Non-response at West Brom marks this out as Watford’s worst end-of-season run

BBC: West Bromwich Albion secured their Championship survival as they eased past sorry Watford at The Hawthorns.

Sky: Isaac Price scored the first goal and made the second for Daryl Dike’s second in as many games before half-time as James Morrison’s side made it nine games unbeaten. On-loan Crystal Palace right-back Danny Imray scored a deserved third goal for the Baggies, who made it 488 minutes without conceding.

Fran’s Watford Blog: This was an awful game with almost no redeeming features. There was a lack of energy in the performance, but I put that down to a lack of confidence among a group of young players for whom nothing seems to be working. I don’t see a lack of effort from the majority of the players. Maamma was, again, a constant threat and I really wish his late shot had gone in as he deserved a goal. The other positive was the return of Ngakia who we have missed since he was injured. But we were well beaten on the night, and it is hard to see us getting any more points this season.

18th April 2026- Championship, Watford 0 Sheffield United 2

Watford Observer: ‘This is what Watford do’ narrative has made me angrier since Oxford, Still says

Still knows he needs results to secure Watford future – ‘I’m not kidding myself’

Team news: Maamma in contention to start, Ngakia and Bola could return

‘The summer is the time to discuss what leadership looks like at Watford’

Supporters’ anger ‘totally normal’ and not an overreaction, says Still

Nabizada: The fans want to see creativity – that’s what I’m trying to do

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 0-2 Sheffield United

Match Report: Watford beaten 2-0 by Sheff Utd as lifeless season finale continues

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Watford 0-2 Sheffield United

Still: ‘Baah hasn’t had the impact I wanted’

Still adamant he is the man to lead significant change after another defeat

BBC: Patrick Bamford’s second-half double helped Sheffield United to victory at out-of-form Watford.

Sky: The striker’s sharpness in front of goal made the difference and lifted Chris Wilder’s side above their opponents in the bright spring sunshine at Vicarage Road.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was another disappointing game. We should have taken the lead in the first half and certainly started the second half very brightly. The first United goal was fortunate and against the run of play. Their second was rather better and, once that went in, the fight seemed to go out of the players, and we never really looked like getting back in the game. Again, Irankunda and Maamma were the bright sparks, working to create chances, but shots from distance and a well organised United defence frustrated them.

From the Rookery End: Jon, Kieran, Mike and Jason are back outside the Hornet Shop after another tough afternoon as Watford FC fall to a 2–0 defeat at home to Sheffield United. There’s no hiding from it — this was a flat, lifeless performance that summed up where the football team is right now. The lads reflect on some hints at something successful, before everything unravelled in depressingly familiar fashion. With belief draining from both pitch and stands, attention turns to the bigger picture — from recruitment failures to the direction under Gino Pozzo, who was in attendance at the game.

11th April 2026- Championship, Oxford United 2 Watford 0

Watford Observer: Oxford call for ‘relentless support’ on Saturday – can Watford rise to the occasion?

Team news: Maamma set for return, Abankwah and Kayembe fully fit

Bove needs more time and Kjerrumgaard ‘hasn’t quite been on it’, says Still

Pre-season planning ongoing – but not Still’s priority for now

Still on Oxford: ‘I want our fans to see we wanted it more’

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Oxford United 2-0 Watford

Match Report: Abject Watford beaten 2-0 at Oxford United

Pollock asks to apologise publicly after ‘lowest point’ of his Watford career

Still on Watford fans’ reaction: ‘You have to stand up and take it’

BBC: Oxford United moved within a point of Championship safety and extended their unbeaten run at the Kassam Stadium to five matches with victory over out-of-form Watford.

Sky: Watford, who have a poor away record this campaign, were on a winless streak of three going into the game but they had beaten the U’s 2-1 at Vicarage Road at the start of October.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been a very poor performance with only Irankunda coming away with much credit. He created some decent chances and, if one had gone in, it would have been a different afternoon. Maamma was also bright when he came on and showed how much we have missed him. But apart from them, it was a miserable afternoon of football.

From the Rookery End: On From The Rookery End this week, Jon and Mike are joined by Watford Observer’s Adam Drury after Watford’s defeat at Oxford — but rather than pick apart another bad away day,the take a step back and the conversation goes bigger.

6th April 2026- Championship, Watford 1 Charlton Athletic 1

Watford Observer: Still on Charlton: All we can do after bad results is bounce back

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Watford 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Five talking points as Watford forced to settle for a point

Match Report: Irankunda equalises but Watford held to 1-1 Charlton draw

Coady lost consciousness after blocking shot, Jones confirms

Still takes confidence from ‘completely dominating’ second half against Charlton

BBC: Nestory Irankunda’s emphatic finish earned Watford a point and denied Charlton Athletic a first win in four matches in a chance-laden Championship draw at Vicarage Road.

Sky: Charlton’s Conor Coady was stretchered off being struck in the head by a venomous shot by Tom Ince. The former England international had lengthy treatment on the pitch.

BHappy: Irankunda levels after being released by Louza, a fine, confident, Premier League finish, and then thumps in an evil bouncing bomb that Mannion pushes away. Goglichidze, who’s had an erratic afternoon, gets on the end of a deep cross but heads criminally wide. I can sense Hutch combusting from half the stadium away. Shots are repeatedly fired in but are repelled, most tellingly and representatively when Conor Coady commemorates the 500th appearance of his career by getting in the way of a Tom Ince piledriver. He is knocked out cold interrupting play for a good ten minutes, the incident encapsulating Charlton’s dogged defiance in the face of mounting pressure.

Fran’s Watford Blog: There was applause at the end of the game after a terrific second half in which the Charlton keeper kept them in the game. It was a wonderful attacking performance from the Hornets. Irankunda was immense, running at the defence and hitting great shots. On another day, he would have had a hat trick. Chakvetadze also had a great game. He was unplayable at the start of the second half, constantly running at the Charlton defence and, unlike in previous outings, taking several shots. Long may that last. Nabizada built on his showing against QPR, putting in a very assured performance with no fear of crossing and shooting. I have admired his play in the U18s and U21s, so it is great to see him looking the part in the first team. Due to the extensive injuries, the defence is cobbled together with some square pegs in round holes and Goglichidze in particular had a poor game. I cannot make my mind up about him as he seems to alternate assured performances with absolute mares. In the end it was a game we should have won, but mid-table obscurity now beckons.

From the Rookery End: Jon, Jordi, Mike and Kieran are on presenting duties after Watford’s Easter weekend fixtures — a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton on Easter Monday, coming hot on the heels of the 2-1 defeat away at QPR on Good Friday.

3rd April 2026- Championship, Queens Park Rangers 2 Watford 1

Watford Observer: Team news: Watford down to ‘bare bones’ with Bola among doubts for QPR

Still exploring reasons behind injuries but believes it’s largely bad luck

Watford still aiming to ‘create some magic’ this season

‘Not many teams can win 6-1 in the Championship’ – Still on QPR threat

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

Match Report: Watford lose 2-1 at QPR in flat display

Still: ‘The lack of consistency has caused us problems’

Micro and macro reasons behind Watford’s defeat at QPR

Still will analyse why key attackers are struggling to score

BBC: Paul Smyth scored one goal and made another as QPR claimed a third successive win to all but end lacklustre Watford’s already slim hopes of sneaking into the Championship play-off places.

Sky: Imran Louza pulled a goal back with a superb 85th-minute free-kick, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been a poor performance from the Hornets whose injury-ridden squad struggled. The first start for Bove was not an impressive one. Maybe he was too keen to make an impression, but his great touch was little in evidence, and he committed a series of rash tackles, that endangered his presence on the pitch. Kjerrumgaard generally struggled although he did have an excellent strike early on which, had it gone in, would have changed the game. There was a lively finish to the match, as the introduction of Baah injected some energy. This game featured the good Baah, who is always fun to watch. Louza’s goal was a thing of beauty and made sure that there was some tension in the final minutes. But my highlight was the debut of Nabizada. I have seen some excellent performances from him at U18 and U21 level and it was good to see him take his opportunity in the first team. He started a bit slowly, but grew into the game and put a few decent crosses into the box. I hope that this is the first of many first team outings for him.