23rd December 2023- Championship, Blackburn Rovers 1 Watford 2

Blackburn Rovers no longer produce matchday programmes.

WFC.Net Jon Marks goal commentary: 1  2

Official site: Match dashboard

BBC: Two Watford substitutes scored in the final seven minutes to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in the Championship.

Sky: Watford’s bench ultimately made the difference as Yaser Asprilla’s shot was parried into the path of Mileta Rajovic to equalise in the 83rd minute and, four minutes later, Rhys Healey’s second of the season secured the points for Watford, who have won four of their last six.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Blackburn 1 Watford 2

Two goals in the last ten minutes make it three straight away wins

Ismael relishes fightback that sets up a happy Christmas but also issues a warning

‘You don’t know me to say that boy’ – Louza’s odd social posts during game yesterday

‘I am really happy for the fans’ – Asprilla

Fran’s Watford Blog: It is hard to think now that we went 9 months this year without an away win.  Now we have had three in a row, two in the North-West which has generally not been a happy hunting ground.  The celebrations at the end were joyous.  As soon as the final whistle went, Koné sprinted from the bench to the away end to celebrate with us.  The others joined him once the niceties with the opposition players and the officers were done.  Healey was being pushed forward for plaudits and he has certainly impressed.  His opportunities have been few and far between, but he has now twice come off the bench and scored late goals.  The team spirit is just wonderful to witness and the willingness to attack means that the games are so much more enjoyable than they were earlier in the season.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67735157

16th December 2023- Championship, Preston North End 1 Watford 5

https://www.skysports.com/football/preston-north-end-vs-watford/teams/484961

WFC.Net Jon Marks goal commentary: 1  2  3  4  5

Official site: Match dashboard

https://www.watfordfc.com/match-report/match-report-preston-north-end-1-5-watford

Sky: Vakoun Bayo netted a brace as Watford scored four second-half goals to earn a comprehensive 5-1 Championship comeback victory at Preston.

BBC: The Hornets made it three victories in their last five after Will Keane had touched in the opening goal for the hosts in the first half. Bayo headed in the equaliser just before the break against a Lilywhites side that has won just one of their past seven home games. Watford opened up in the second half as Matheus Martins, Edo Kayembe, Bayo again and Ismael Kone all found the net.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Preston 1 Watford 5

Can they do it in the north-west in the winter? Yes they can

Ismael said what Watford fans were thinking: ‘That is what we want’

No end of fun at North End – the 5-1 away win in pictures

Fran’s Watford Blog: Football really is fun again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67667436

12th December 2023- Championship, Watford 1 Ipswich Town 2

WFC.Net Jon Marks Goal Commentary: 1

BBC: Watford went ahead when Yaser Asprilla punished an error by goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, but George Hirst brought Town level before half-time from close range.

Sky: It looked likely that whoever managed to score again would win the contest – and it turned out to be Ipswich thanks to Wesley Hoedt’s error in the 80th minute.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 1 Ipswich Town 2

Hornets suffer tough but self-inflicted defeat

Watford weren’t ruthless and didn’t stay calm enough head coach admits

‘The performance was better than we think’ – Livermore

Head coach shows support for Hoedt after error

Fran’s Watford Blog: The players were rightly applauded at the end of the game.  It had been a great performance as they matched a team that are running away at the top of the table and should feel very unfortunate not to have got anything from the game.  But they didn’t take their chances and Ipswich capitalised on a mistake from Hoedt.  It was another very encouraging showing though and should send them into the busy Christmas period with plenty of confidence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67621466

9th December 2023- Championship, Watford 1 Southampton 1

https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-southampton/teams/484941

WFC.Net Jon Marks Goal Commentary: 1

BBC: Rhys Healey’s stoppage-time goal ensured a point for Watford as they drew 1-1 with fellow play-off chasers Southampton.

Sky: Until then, it seemed that a Che Adams goal would be enough for Southampton to keep pace with the three sides above them in the Championship table.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 1 Southampton 1

Healey the hero as Hornets snatch dramatic late point

‘The evolution of the team is there to see’ – Ismael

BHappy: this was a tremendous game of football however run-of-the-mill a 1-1 scoreline might appear.  It carried all of the hallmarks of a fine work of theatre…  heroes, villains, complex subplots, skulduggery, drama and a fabulous closing twist.   Despite the biting wind that rattled through the Rookery pre-match, necessitating emergency purchase of hat and gloves from the wide range wisely stocked in the in-stand Hornet Shop stalls, Daughter 2 left the stadium glowing with excitement.  We don’t know how this campaign will end – it’s quite plausible that we’ll be in a comparable mid-table irrelevance to last year but irrespective of that this is already hugely more enjoyable than any season since the pandemic.

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was an impressive performance from the Hornets who easily matched a team that are flying high in the Championship.  The first half had been very cagey.  The second was more open and the Hornets could easily have won the game.  The equaliser was certainly no more than they deserved, and the timing elicited a mad celebration and ensured that all the Watford fans went home happy.  The team continue to look solid and are playing with a confidence that was completely missing earlier in the season.  It was a great team performance, but the plaudits will go to Rhys Healey for striking the winner as well as launching a number of late throws into the box in a manner that we haven’t seen since the days of Lee Sinnott.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67598466

2nd December 2023- Championship, Hull City 1 Watford 2

https://www.skysports.com/football/hull-city-vs-watford/teams/484920

WFC.Net Jon Mark’s Goal Commentary: 1  2

BBC: An extraordinary goal by Wesley Hoedt clinched victory for Watford at Hull.

Sky: The Hornets captain nicked possession off Liam Delap just inside Hull’s half before executing a perfect lob over Ryan Allsop after 74 minutes.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Hull City 1 Watford 2

Hoedt’s wonder goal and Hamer’s penalty save set up great away win

Fran’s Watford Blog: Hamer had a brilliant game.  The penalty save is what will be remembered, but Philogene had created several other decent chances for the home side, so Ben was called on to make some tricky saves and rose to the challenge on each occasion.  So much so that he now has a song.  The others all played their parts, but Hoedt’s wonder goal will live long in the memory.  He had a great game in defence but usually when he shapes to shoot, I wince.  I will not do that again.  The team spirit appears strong, and I love the little dance that Andrews and Koné have done together at the end of the last two games.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67528472

28th November 2023- Championship, Watford 3 Norwich City 2

https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-norwich-city/teams/484911

WFC.Net Jon Mark’s Goal Commentary: 1  2  3

Sky: Yaser Asprilla’s goal saw Watford come back from 2-0 down to beat Norwich 3-2 in an entertaining contest at Vicarage Road.

BBC: The Colombia international showed quick feet to dance the ball around Canaries goalkeeper George Long and finish to win it for the Hornets in the second half.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Watford 3 Norwich City 2

Hornets show spirit, togetherness and character to battle back and beat Canaries

Early ‘cold shower’ helped Watford clean up their act

Livermore ‘always ready to sacrifice himself on the pitch for everyone at the club’

Fran’s Watford Blog: It was a brilliant game of football.  We saw the best and the worst of this Watford team.  The failure to defend at set pieces and a fragile confidence allowed Norwich to take an early lead, which looked unsurmountable until a moment of magic from Koné gave the lads some belief.  It helped that the second Watford goal came almost immediately and from that moment it was Norwich who were struggling, although that was a result of a newfound determination in the Hornets to harry the opposition, not allowing them any space and being more careful and confident with the passing.  That resilience to come back from the two-goal deficit was very impressive and shows that this team is going in the right direction.  Koné scored a gorgeous goal and could well have had more.  He had an excellent game and is quickly becoming a favourite of mine.  But the man of the match award deservedly went to Livermore.  He was fantastic, calm and controlling the midfield.  The leadership that he shows is something that we have missed since Troy left and is a huge factor in our improved performances.