Monthly Archives: February 1997

25th February 1997- New Division Two, Watford 2 Shrewsbury Town 0

After Saturday’s shambles, you’d have got pretty good odds on the likelihood of two Watford players ever managing to pass the ball to each other, yet we chalked up a competent, calm victory last night. A huge improvement, basically, and something that not even I could find reason to grumble about.

More games from 25th February at https://oldwatford.com/tag/feb25

22nd February 1997- New Division Two, Wycombe Wanderers 0 Watford 0

Looking on the bright side, at least I don’t have to bother updating the goal stats page today. On the other hand, I do have to attempt to write a report on one of the worst performances I’ve seen from a Watford side in donkey’s years.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1997-02-22

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/22-february-1997/

18th February 1997-Associate Members Cup Southern Semi-Final, Watford 0 Peterborough United 1

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I had it all planned. Following a comfortable, relaxing win over Peterborough to put us within two matches of Wembley, I was going to take the opportunity to lay into the Auto Windscreen Shield.

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11th February 1997- Football League Trophy Quarter Final (South), Watford 2 Bristol City 1

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

Being a Vicarage Road end junkie I rarely get the chance to sit in the Rous Stand. So as it was only 6 pounds, we had decided to treat ourselves to a superior view. There is no argument that the atmosphere in the Rous is not as good as Vic end, but you can see everything that is going on from the Rous. And you really see how bad the refs are!!

It would be fair to say that my attitude to the Auto Windscreen Shield is ‘any result, apart from a draw, is fine’. It is, as we’re ceaselessly reminded, a competition with a final at Wembley – well, pardon me for being picky but the Second Division playoff final is also at Wembley and would be accompanied by a prize worth winning. So I can’t work up any enthusiasm for this – it’s a pointless tournament and a distraction from the more important business of gettting promotion. All of which makes the possibility of extra time and penalties too hideous to contemplate. I mean, what am I supposed to do? Leave the game regardless, something I’ve never done even when we’ve been 12-0 down with nine players sent off and two minutes to go, and get back to Brighton at a reasonable hour? Set a time limit in the hope that someone will score the ‘Golden Goal’ and then go in the middle of extra time if necessary? Stay for the whole caboodle and risk spending the night at Gatwick?

8th February 1997- New Division Two, Brentford 1 Watford 1

These days taking less time to get to a Watford match than it does to get to work is a luxury for me. Living in Hounslow this game is the easiest to get to, and after the long journey of Wednesday it was nice not to have to leave my house until about ten minutes past two. Even though the game wasn’t as good as our encounter with Man City, it was enjoyable enough to keep me on the edge of my seat for most of the game. However, this produced a problem. Being on the edge of my seat meant nearly resting my chin on the head of the bloke in front. In addition it meant bashing my shins on the back of this guys seat. Yep you’re right…. roll up roll up, come and see another ground where you’ve barely got any room to sneeze. I won’t go on about it, I’ve said it before. But I’m sure a lot of you out there know what I’m talking about. It just makes you realise how lucky we are down at the Vic.

https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=1997-02-08

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/08-february-1997/

5th February 1997- FA Cup Fourth Round, Manchester City 3 Watford 1

Then came the moment of crass stupidity that changed the game in Man City’s favour. Palmer who had been following Kin-what’s-his-face wherever he went was obstructed by Lomas. Palmer wasn’t very pleased with this and seemed to slightly push Lomas ( and I do mean slightly ). He then turned to the referee and complained about the obstruction. The ref stopped the game and I thought we were going to get a free kick. Imagine my surprise when the ref reached into his pocket and produced a red card for Palmer. This was pure over-reaction. I don’t think anybody in the whole ground including the Man City fans could really understand why. The official line seems to be that Palmer “struck” Lomas. It was ridiculous. I know I was a lot further away from the incident than Palmer, but it wasn’t as if Lomas fell to the floor, rolling over and over with his hand on his face because he didn’t !! It wasn’t as if the all Man City fans were shouting “off off off” at the top of their voices because they weren’t. I think the only person in the whole Stadium who agreed with the sending off was the ref. Now I’m not saying we would have gone on to draw or win the game if Palmer had not been sent off. But at the time the game was very even and we were creating chances.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996%E2%80%9397_FA_Cup

1st February 1997- New Division Two, Watford 2 Rotherham United 0

Generally, this was a good performance. But it was nothing special. With no disrespect intended, you are expected to beat teams like Rotherham. Particularly at home. But with a record of 13 draws in the last 15 games nothing is certain at the moment. Except maybe a draw!! Anyway three points won which is the most important thing and with some of the other teams faltering around us it more important than ever to keep getting points, grind out results and not worry if it is pretty or not.

More games from 1st February at https://oldwatford.com/tag/feb1