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14th August 2021- Premier League, Watford 3 Aston Villa 2

At half time NHS staff who worked at Watford General Hospital during the pandemic did a lap of honour around the pitch and were applauded by both sets of supporters.

WFC Net Jon Marks goal commentary: 1 2 3

BBC Sport: Watford marked their Premier League return with a thrilling opening-day victory over Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.

Sky Sports: After bouncing straight back up to the Premier League, Watford were full of life in the first half, taking the lead through debutant Emmanuel Dennis’ low effort (10), before Ismaila Sarr’s deflected shot off Tyrone Mings put them 2-0 up before the break (42).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124896

BHappy: By half time, the sun is properly out.  Which is how opening day should be, of course.  There are 200 hospital staff circuiting the pitch to a prolonged standing ovation from all four sides of the ground.  “Song for Guy” plays as the faces of those lost over the pandemic by both club and hospital appear on the screen.  There is a deluge of specks in eyes, odd for a still afternoon.

From the Rookery End: First impressions last and what an impression the debutants for Watford made against Aston Villa. Jason, Mike and Jon are back for a 12th season of podcasting about Watford and they gathered on Sunday to discuss the incredible win, the stand out goals and how a bunch of Watford fans beliefs can change in a matter of…. minutes.

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14th August 2010- Championship, Watford 2 Coventry City 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4919

BBC SportCoventry salvaged a point at Watford courtesy of late goals from David Bell and Lukas Jutkiewicz.  Will Buckley headed the Hornets in front and Coventry old boy John Eustace fired in a second after the Sky Blues only partially cleared a corner.

BBC-Sport-Football-Watford-2-2-CoventryDownload

skyCoventry City produced a dramatic comeback at Vicarage Road to snatch a 2-2 draw against Watford.  Malky Mackay’s Watford appeared set to follow up an opening game win over Norwich City with another three points after Will Buckley and John Eustace scored.

BHappy imageBoothroyd. Still can’t bring myself to like him. Didn’t boo him, but…. in accepting, revelling in the reception of the crowd at the end of the game, he should have stopped short of the fist-waving celebration. You were welcomed back Aidy, but we support Watford, not you. We weren’t going to share in your celebration. Perhaps old habits die hard.

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14th August 2007- League Cup First Round, Watford 3 Gillingham 0

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4763

BBC SportWatford recorded a comfortable win over 10-man Gillingham in the first round of the Carling Cup.

BBC-SPORT-_-Football-_-League-Cup-_-Watford-3-0-GillinghamDownload

BHappyWill Hoskins “in the hole”.  Wow.

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14th August 2004- Championship, Watford 0 Burnley 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4610

BSAD imageBSAD report: Interestingly, there’s something of a difference of opinion at Vicarage Road right now. Roles reversed, unusually. Here, the expectations of the management team appear to be rather higher than those of many in the stands…which means me, although I know that I’m not alone in thinking that the lack of depth within the squad will cause us to struggle over the course of a nine month campaign. Judging by the reaction to this defeat, however, there’s a different agenda in the dressing room…which is very welcome indeed, particularly for those who hate to hear excuses about under-performance. I might think that this is all about survival, but that’s not a word that’s passed Ray Lewington’s lips much in recent interviews.

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14th August 1999-Premier League, Liverpool 0 Watford 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4362
The Liverpool team sheet from the game. Courtesy of Nigel Gibbs
Courtesy of Nigel Gibbs

BBC SportNew boys Watford underlined Liverpool’s defensive frailties again as they pulled off a shock victory at Anfield.

BSAD imageSeveral BSAD reports

Sunday Mirror, 15 Aug 1999
People, 15 Aug 1999
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Independent, 15 Aug 1999
Observer, 15 Aug 1999

Guardian, 16 Aug 1999
Daily Telegraph, 16 Aug 1999
Daily Mirror, 16 Aug 1999
Liverpool Post, 16 Aug 1999

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Taken from programme on 21st August 1999- Premier League, Watford 1 Bradford City 0

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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

11th July 2026- Friendly, Boreham Wood 2 Watford 1

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY AS IT HAPPENED: Boreham Wood 2-1 Watford

Match Report: Watford beaten 2-1 at Boreham Wood in first summer friendly

WATCH: Immediate reaction to Boreham Wood 2-1 Watford

Pollock: ‘Results at this stage mean nothing – it’s about minutes’