Monthly Archives: January 2019

Remembering GT- Two years on

In GT’s final programme notes as Watford manager he listed the 120 games which were special to him. Read through the list and smile at the memories and as he says if you can’t remember them then talk to someone who can.

Taken from the programme on 28th April 2001- New Division One, Watford 1 Tranmere Rovers 1

6th January 2019- FA Cup Third Round, Woking 0 Watford 2

Referee:
Graham Scott
Attendance:
5,717

Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals: 1 2

Relive our coverage as Hornets secure FA Cup success at non-league Woking

Watford into FA Cup fourth round after win at Woking

Troy Deeney pleased by Watford’s professionalism in Woking win

Javi Gracia thinks Watford can beat anyone with right attitude after Woking win

Our player ratings from Watford vs Woking in the FA Cup

A selection of images from Watford’s FA Cup win at Woking

Tom Cleverley reflects on injury return after Watford beat Woking in the FA Cup

Watford took the lead in the 13th minute through Hughes during a first half in which the Hornets dominated possession. The second half contained few goalscoring chances for either team, but Watford substitute Deeney wrapped up a comfortable victory for the Premier League side with a simple tap-in (75).

Yet it was still a day to feel the glow of FA Cup romance. The competition is too predictable; it has had its day? Do not say that to Alan Dowson, the old-school Woking manager, whose north-east tones remain loud and proud. He talked of his thrill at seeing Kingfield sold out, of his young players coming up against established professionals (even if Javi Gracia made 11 changes to his Watford team) and of the uplift that the tie has brought to this corner of England.

Javi Gracia, Watford’s former Villarreal and Malaga manager, has certainly also never received a post-match gift from an opposing manager quite like it. A bumper bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale. “He took it and he gave me one of his sangria,” said Dowson, who was born in Gateshead. “I thought he was a bit tight. The Newcastle Brown was bigger.”

The first action of the second half was the rather thrilling sight of the lino on the opposite side falling backwards over the hoardings. It is dreadfully childish, but you can’t help but laugh when the officials come a cropper.

Watford’s road to the FA Cup final: Woking negotiated in round three

2nd January 2019- Premier League, AFC Bournemouth 3 Watford 3

The date shown on the programme is incorrect

Programme images courtesy of Matt Hall

Referee:
David Coote
Attendance:
10,261

Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals: 1 2 3

Watford score three but still have to settle for a point against Bournemouth

Watford and Bournemouth share six goals in New Year opener

Watford head coach Javi Gracia pleased with Ben Foster after Bournemouth draw

AFC Bournemouth vs Watford: Javi Gracia admits he’s ‘never see a first half like that’

Watford player ratings: How we scored the Hornets at AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth vs Watford: Troy Deeney claims Dan Gosling tried ‘to do’ Tom Cleverley

Adrian Mariappa becomes 25th player to make 300 Watford appearances

Watford captain Troy Deeney said “Sunday League” defending contributed to his side’s astonishing 3-3 draw at Bournemouth, with all six goals arriving in a frenetic first half. “It was an end-to-end game that could have been 6-6,” said Deeney, who scored two of his side’s goals.

Troy Deeney’s two goals gave Watford a commanding lead (14 & 27) before Bournemouth responded in quickfire fashion with goals from Nathan Ake (34) and Callum Wilson (37). Seconds later, Ken Sema put Watford back in front again with a fine half-volley (38) before Ryan Fraser levelled the game with a composed finish (40) in an action-packed first half.

Deeney accused Dan Gosling of trying “to do Tom Cleverley” and also claimed the referee “bottled it on a few occasions”.

At half time, a number of supporters from each team were invited on to the pitch for a “beer goggles” penalty shoot-out. I couldn’t help but wonder if the defenders had been wearing these goggles for the last 15 minutes of the half.