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31st March 2018- Premier League, Watford 2 AFC Bournemouth 2

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screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary   Goals: 1   2

Watford Observer

RELIVE – Watford vs AFC Bournemouth: Late Jermaine Defoe goal sees Premier League points shared

Watford let lead slip twice as Bournemouth snatch late draw

Javi Gracia reflects after Watford drop two points in Bournemouth draw

Javi Gracia pleased his options are increasing as Watford’s injury list lessens

Player ratings: Jose Holebas the villain as Will Hughes and Kiko Femenia impress against AFC Bournemouth

GALLERY: A selection of images from Watford’s draw with Bournemouth

Watford vs AFC Bournemouth: Late Jermaine Defoe tough to take, says Craig Cathcart

Will Hughes: Late AFC Bournemouth leveller takes sheen off first Watford start since December

BBC SportBournemouth boss Eddie Howe praised veteran striker Jermain Defoe for his “huge” 92nd-minute equaliser that denied Watford victory at Vicarage Road.

skyWatford were hard done by but had only themselves to blame, having earlier blown Kiko Femenia’s 13th-minute opener when Jose Holebas needlessly handballed in the box, allowing Josh King to equalise from the spot (43).

guardianLocked together in mid-table, both sides could reach the 40-point mark with victories on Saturday, when Watford are at home to Burnley and Bournemouth host struggling Crystal Palace.

BHappy imageThe cast list revealed a return to 4-2-3-1 and most significantly the much-discussed-amid-awkward-shuffles-of-the-feet benching of the long-since wrung-out Richarlíson with Will Hughes starting behind Troy.

FranNathan Aké started for the visitors, I know that I am not the only Watford fan who is still very disappointed that he didn’t sign for us instead.

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31st March 2007- Premier League, Watford 0 Chelsea 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4753

For so long it seemed as though Chelsea’s challenge would founder at Vicarage Road after Watford battled manfully – and Kalou’s winner was a painful blow for the home team.

“You’re getting sacked in the summer,” chanted the home supporters as Mourinho paced up and down the touchline, unable to contain his frustration as Chelsea toiled against a spirited Watford side. Mourinho lost control of his emotions at one point in the second half; arguing with Boothroyd only to embrace the Watford manager later and share a joke. Abramovich appears in no mood to do likewise, even if he did manage to smile when Salomon Kalou struck.

The result leaves Watford needing a miracle, although Boothroyd has not thrown in the towel. ‘The other results haven’t helped us, but we shall try to finish the season as strongly as we can and see where it takes us,’ he said.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2007-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/31-march-2007/
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31st March 1986- Division One, Arsenal 0 Watford 2

The first game of the double-header against Arsenal. This game was always scheduled to be played on Easter Monday but the fixture at Vicarage Road which should have been on Boxing Day 1985 was postponed twice and eventually rearranged for 1st April meaning the sides would face each other on consecutive days.

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches
Daily Telegraph, 1 Apr 1986
Guardian, 1 Apr 1986
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1986-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/31-march-1986/
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31st March 1984- Division One, Watford 0 Liverpool 2

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3547
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1984-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/31-march-1984/
https://oldwatford.com/2014/04/05/5th-april-2014-championship-watford-1-burnley-1/
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31st March 1973-Division Three, Watford 1 Walsall 0

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Obviously the date on the front cover is wrong!

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2971
Birmingham Sports Argus, 31 Mar 1973
Sunday People, 1 Apr 1973

Watford Observer match report

English Division Three (old)
Blackburn Rovers2-2Tranmere Rovers
Bristol Rovers1-2Southend United
Charlton Athletic1-1Bournemouth
Chesterfield2-1Rochdale
Grimsby Town0-1Wrexham
Oldham Athletic1-1Notts County
Plymouth Argyle2-1Port Vale
Rotherham United1-0Bolton Wanderers
Swansea City2-0Halifax Town
Watford1-0Walsall
York City0-1Brentford
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31st March 1972- Division Two, Watford 0 Queens Park Rangers 2

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Watford Observer match report

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2919
Daily Telegraph, 1 Apr 1972
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1972-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/31-march-1972/
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31st March 1964- Division Three, Colchester United 1 Watford 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2522
Daily Herald, 1 Apr 1964
Daily Telegraph, 1 Apr 1964

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1964-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-march-1964/
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31st March 1961- Division Three, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 0 Watford 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2364

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1961-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/31-march-1961/
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31st March 1956- Division Three (South), Watford 2 Torquay United 1

https://www.watfordfcarchive.co.uk/fixture/1956-03-31
Sunday Dispatch, 1 Apr 1956
https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1956-03-31
https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/division-three-south/31-march-1956/

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.