Tag Archives: Oct4

4th October 2025- Championship, Watford 2 Oxford United 1

Watford Observer: ‘Super important’ – Pezzolano craves a fast start against Oxford on Saturday

Oxford preview: Can Pezzolano change the mood music ahead of international break?

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/october/04/digital-digest-oxford-edition

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: Watford 2-1 Oxford United

Five talking points after Ngakia brace secures victory

Match Report: Ngakia brace sees Watford beat Oxford 2-1

Pezzolano: ‘I liked the performance – we should have wrapped the game up sooner’

‘A really good team-mate’ – Pezzolano pleased Ngakia takes acclaim for Oxford win

‘Not my concern’ – Pezzolano motivated by performance rather than lifting mood

Ngakia was not going for goal with corner – but it was a tactic

Oxford United analysis: The numbers that justify promotion ambition

BBC: Jeremy Ngakia’s quickfire double late in the first half earned Watford a comeback win over Oxford United at Vicarage Road.

Sky: A double from Ngakia – thanks to two blunders from Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming – cancelled out a Max Alleyne own goal, as they went a goal behind for the fourth time in their last six games.

Fran’s Watford Blog: The Hornets drew level on the stroke of half time as a cross from Louza towards Vata bounced off Leigh, Cumming pushed the ball onto the post and then parried the rebound which was met by Ngakia who headed home. That certainly raised the spirits. There was four minutes of added time at the end of the half during which Wiley won a corner. Ngakia’s delivery was on target and Cumming could only help it into the net to give Watford the lead. A brace for Ngakia!! Helik was booked for a foul on Irankunda. Louza took the resultant free kick, which was mishit and fell to Ngakia, who was now on a hat trick, the Rookery yelled “shooot”, but the half time whistle went.

From the Rookery End: In this week’s episode, Jon, Mike and Jordi break down Watford’s hard-fought 2–1 home win over Oxford United, with Jeremy Ngakia grabbing both goals and continuing to impress with his calm, professional displays. We dive into all the big moments and standout performances from Vicarage Road — who shone, who struggled, and how the Hornets finally got the job done.

4th October 2023- Championship, Sunderland 2 Watford 0

https://www.skysports.com/football/sunderland-vs-watford/teams/484820

BBC: Sunderland continued their fine form in the Championship as they inflicted a third straight defeat on Watford, a day after boss Valerien Ismael signed a contract extension.

Sky: Watford’s miserable night got worse with three minutes remaining when substitute Ryan Andrews was given a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Jack Clarke on halfway.

Watford Observer: RECAP: Sunderland 2 Watford 0

Everyone may be on the same page – but currently it’s grim reading

Ismael locked players in to get answers – and he wasn’t accepting excuses

Not all players acknowledging fans at Sunderland is ‘unacceptable’ says Ismael

Fran’s Watford Blog: There were loud boos from the travelling Hornets and some in the crowd got rather animated as they expressed their displeasure, so much so that the stewards got involved.  It was another frustrating loss.  Based on possession and chances it had been an even game, but the Hornets were undone by poor defending and being wasteful with their chances.  There was an argument that we were unlucky to go behind in the first half as we had been on top and should have had a penalty just before they scored the first.  But you can’t defend like that and expect to get something out of the game, and we never looked like getting back into it once the second goal went in.  I do worry about Ismaël’s insistence on the players playing out from the back as they are clearly not comfortable doing so.  Hoedt, in particular, looks to be in a complete panic while looking for a pass.  That doesn’t help anybody’s confidence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66932475

4th October 2014-Championship, Watford 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1

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BBC image report

SKY image report

BHappy image report:A word for the new Community Stand, part-opened for the first time.  Thank goodness.  Thank the Pozzos.  At long last after so many missed opportunities.  ig might miss the Main Stand, but once you’ve said goodbye to something, you know, you want it to go, you want it to be replaced.

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=5132

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4th October 2008- Championship, Watford 2 Preston North End 1

Watford came back from a goal down to earn a win over Preston thanks to Tommy Smith’s 50th goal for the club.

A quite ridiculously open game of football that looked like delivering many more goals at each end. Due in no small part to our formation – going 4-4-2 without John Eustace in midfield was always going to be a high risk strategy. We had enough to make it pay off; all six of our “attacking” players had good afternoons.

4th October 1998- New Division One, West Bromwich Albion 4 Watford 1

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

Programme image courtesy of Matt Hall

BSAD: The game in the end turned on a two minute period. Still at 2-1 we created two good chances. The first a cross to the far post which looked like it was going to go out for a goal kick before somehow Nick Wright managed to hook a foot round the ball and send it back across the face of their goal. Unfortunately there wasn’t a Watford player close enough to stab it home. Then moments later Hazan and Smart linked up well to leave Smart with only the keeper to beat. However, the angle was not the best and though Smart kept his shot low, the keeper spread himself well and saved with his feet. The attack was not finished though, and the ball came back out to the wing. Someone passed in field to Hyde and with the WBA defence pushing up, Micah attempted to push the ball through to Smart again who would have been clean through. The pass was awful though and went straight to Hughes. He sent De Freitas racing clear and despite a gallant effort from Johno, he rounded Chamberlain and slotted the ball home. It was effectively all over. Two minutes when we could have easily been 2-2, but ended up being 3-1 down.

Birmingham Post, 5 Oct 1998
Daily Mirror, 5 Oct 1998
Guardian, 5 Oct 1998
Quite impressive of the Independent to get both Keith Millen’s names wrong
Independent, 5 Oct 1998
Daily Telegraph, 5 Oct 1998