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13th April 2024- Championship, Southampton 3 Watford 2

https://www.skysports.com/football/southampton-vs-watford/teams/485215

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1 2

Sky: Will Smallbone and Che Adams had put Saints on course to capitalise on Leeds and Leicester’s earlier defeats before Ryan Porteous and Ismael Kone levelled things up.

BBC: But Downes netted in the ninth minute of stoppage time, leaving the fourth-placed Saints seven points behind second-placed Leicester but with a game in hand, and having played two fewer matches than third-placed Leeds.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Southampton 3 Watford 2

Ridiculous stoppage-time decision by officials rob Watford

‘I am struggling to see how we have led to that corner being taken’

Cleverley took positives from Saturday but knows he needs to start winning

Fran’s Watford Blog: I was absolutely gutted at the end of the game. It was a cruel way to lose, we didn’t deserve that at all. After a disastrous start to the game and a first 20 minutes when the Hornets had struggled, the lads had done incredibly well to get back in the game and had the better of the second half. We deserved to come away with at least a point, so the celebrations in the home stands really hurt. The players were cheered off the field by the travelling Hornets, which was as it should have been. We have been greatly entertained in most of the games since Cleverley took over and, with such a difficult run of games, have done considerably better than I would have expected. All we need now is a home win (or two).

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13th April 2003- FA Cup Semi Final, Watford 1 Southampton 2

Brett Ormerod proved the match-winner as Southampton ended Watford’s FA Cup run with victory at Villa Park.

Daily Mirror, 14 Apr 2003

Daily Telegraph, 14 Apr 2003

Guardian, 14 Apr 2003

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4552

English FA Cup Semi-Final
Arsenal	1-0	Sheffield United	(n)
Southampton	2-1	Watford	(n)

21st April 2003- Championship, Watford 2 Derby County 0

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13th April 1998- New Division Two, Bristol City 1 Watford 1

This draw ensured our promotion back to (new) Division One. It was the fourth time a Watford side managed by Graham Taylor had been promoted.

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4304

So this was a great day out…but it wasn’t quite a promotion day. It was a day of broad grins and jubilant songs, not dips in the High Street pond or drunken debauchery.

Guardian, 14 Apr 1998

Daily Telegraph, 14 Apr 1998

Evening Standard, 14 Apr 1998

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1998-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/13-april-1998/

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13th April 1996- New Division One, Watford 5 Port Vale 2

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3924

The big news before the game was that Hessy wasn’t in the side and instead young David Conolly (he’s only 18 or so – God I feel old) was wearing the number 4 shirt. To be totally honest this had ‘Grim Disaster’ written all over it, especially considering Vale’s recent good form.

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13th April 1993- New Division One, Cambridge United 1 Watford 1

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=4031

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1993-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/13-april-1993/

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13th April 1991- Division Two, Watford 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3924

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13th April 1985- Division One, Watford 2 Norwich City 0

English Division One (old)	Table »
Arsenal	1-1	Nottingham Forest
Coventry City	0-1	Sunderland
Ipswich Town	1-2	Sheffield Wednesday
Leicester City	1-2	Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United	1-0	Queens Park Rangers
Watford	2-0	Norwich City
West Ham United	1-1	Chelsea

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http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3601

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13th April 1983- London Five-a-side Football Championship (at Wembley Arena)

After receiving a bye to the second round we lost on penalties to Crystal Palace after a 1-1 draw.

Evening Standard, 13 Apr 1983

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

Comicus Article- Football Nostalgia: London Evening Standard 5-A-Side Tournament

Standard, 14 Apr 1983

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13th April 1979- Division Three, Watford 0 Colchester United 3

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=3283

Watford Observer match report

Daily Mirror, 14 Apr 1979

Daily Telegraph, 14 Apr 1979

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1979-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/13-april-1979/

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13th April 1979- Watford Observer

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13th April 1973- Watford Observer

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13th April 1971- Division Two, Carlisle United 2 Watford 1

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2876

Daily Mirror, 14 Apr 1971

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1971-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/13-april-1971/

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13th April 1968- Division Three, Reading 2 Watford 0

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=2725

Sunday People, 14 Apr 1968

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1968-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/13-april-1968/

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13th April 1963- Division Three, Wrexham 0 Watford 0

http://watford.fcdb.info/index.php?page=matches

Sunday People, 14 Apr 1963

Watford Observer match report

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1963-04-13

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/13-april-1963/

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13th April 1962- Watford Observer

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.

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.

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.