Blackpool: (1-1) 5-2-1 17pts.

A foul by Danny Shittu on Gary Taylor-Fletcher lead to the equalizing penalty kick by Wesley Hoolahan in minute 72 - erasing Adam Johnson's first half goal.

Johnson scored in minute 41 after taking a free kick granted as the result of a penalty on Darius Henderson by Kaspars Gorkss. Johnson had earned a booking earlier in the half.

The score stayed 1-0 at the half and Aidy brought in fresh legs for Johnson (Jobi McAnuff) and Hendo (Ellington) 11 minutes into the second half. Hoolahan's goal capped the scoring in a macth with few shots on goal for either squad (4 saves each for Poom & Rachubka).

The draw keeps Watford atop the league as Charleton played to a draw and West Brom was idle.

The next match is Tuesday against Sheffield Wednesday (Popeye's friend Wimpy must have thought that up) at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 1:45 St. Louis time.

Game Day: Blackpool

Despite all the injury rumors, the Hornets will be starting King, Henderson AND DeMerit against mid-table rival Blackpool at Vicarage Road today. Maybe a little psych job by Boothroyd? Full line-up:

Poom
Shittu DeMerit Stewart Doyley
Johnson Mahon Williamson Smith
King Henderson

Go 'Orns!

Injury (kinda) Update

The 'Orns may be lacking a few starters Saturday as King & Henderson have been slowed by the flu and DeMerit is suffering from knee problems.

Queen's Park Rangers (1-1) 5-1-1 16 pts.

The Hornets still sit astride the Championship League with today's draw vs. QPR. In all honesty, I did not get to follow the match so click on the link above to get the Beeb's take.

Next match is Saturday, September 29 as the Tangerines make the trip to Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 St. Louis time.

Cardiff City (2-1) 5-0-1 15 points

Hendo for president!!

Having scored the last four Watford goals, two of which were game winners, it is clear the new contract has sat well with Darius Henderson.

The win puts Watford a full 3 points ahead of Bristol City.

Hendo's first goal, at 17 minutes (asst. DeMerit), gave the Hornets a lead lead they battled to maintain for nearly an hour as Poom staved off 11 shots by my count. Eventualy though, the equalizer found the net off the foot of Hasselbaink. Gavin Mahon's assist found Hendo in minute 78 to score the go-ahead.

Once again, I screwed up the start time for the St. Louis fans and I apologize. 13:00 is not 3:00. Aarrgh!! Next match is at QPR Saturday. Kickoff is at 9:00 am St. Louis time (I promise).

One Month Moves

Keeper Scott Loach and striker Will Hoskins will go on loan to Stafford and Millwall respectively. Hoskins has seen little time since being picked up from Rotherham and with Ellington on the club, is likely to see even less. Loach simply needs a little more playing time. Both loans are for one month.

Southampton (3-2) 4-0-1 12 pts.

Both squads trotted out some fresh legs as the second half progressed with Johnson coming in for McAnuff and Henderson spelling Ellington. This proved crucial as Hendo picked up the equalizing and winning goals after Southampton took the lead on Dyer's 20-yard goal at minute 69.

Henderson caught the pass off Lloyd Doyley and left-footed a shot into the net from 6-yards out to tie the match. It looked like a draw until the 90th minute when a foul on Marlon King set up a free kick from Adam Johnson that found its way to Hendo who socked away the winner.

Williamson, Smith & Henderson all picked up yellow cards. Poom nabbed two saves and Southampton keeper, Kelvin Davis beat back eight, but was still overwhelmed by Watford's attack.

The Hornets take their winning ways to Cardiff City Wednesday. Kickoff is 3:45 St. Louis time.

Southampton 1-1 at the Half

A win today will put the Hornets in sole possession of first. So far they've played aggressively, going into the half ahead on possession, shots on goal and corners. A cross from Tommy Smith setting up a 6-yard header by Danny Shittu gave Watford the lead in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately Southampton countered three minutes later as Rasiak scored from right up the middle 18 yards out.

Ellington and King are up front and, good news, Poom was able to start in the net. The full lineup:

Poom

Doyley DeMerit Shittu Stewart

McAnuff Mahon Williamson Smith

King Ellington

Go 'Orns!

Busy Friday

Two signings were announced today: Jay DeMerit's contract was extended for another year (through 2010). According to Aidy he's a "future captain of club and country."

Also snagged was M'Boro midfielder Adam Johnson. We'll have the under-21 international player on loan for three months.

The Hornets are back at Vicarage Road Sunday against mid-table Southampton. Poom is questionable to start. Kickoff is 7:15 am St. Louis time.

St. Louis One Step Closer to Pro Soccer

Last night the Collinsville City Council took the next step needed to bring Major League Soccer to the St. Louis area. Click on the headline above to link to the stltoday article.

Brazil Downs US 4-2

In a match closer than the score would indicate, 43,000 + fans at Soldier Field were treated to a hard-fought game from both sides. Every coach in the game should have a tape of this match to hammer home the importance of practice, practice, and more practice of set plays as all but two goals came from a standing start.

Showing practice does make perfect, USA drew first blood in the 21st minute as an in-swinging Landon Donovan corner kick (worked extensively in practice Saturday) found an open Carlos Bocanegra who 'sumo'ed the ball into the net.

Eight minutes later, Brazil demonstrated why they are so dangerous. These guys are so quick it seems like they have 15 men on the pitch at any given moment, swarming both ends of the field. On their scoring attack, nine (!) players touched the ball. A beautiful one-touch pass by Ronaldinho set up the shot on goal by Kaka. Tim Howard managed the save, but Oguchi Onyewu's momentum carried him into the ball and he scored an own goal, tieing the score at 1-1.

The half ended with Robinho writhing in pain after a display of fancy dribbling down the end line only to have referee Armondo Archundia patiently wait for him to get up and hobble off the field before showing him the yellow card for diving. All in all the midfielders did a very good job with Robinho's step-overs and other tricks, managing a few steals.

Another corner gave Brazil the lead in the second half, this time from Ronaldinho to Lucio who headed it into the net. Play was stopped for a few minutes as Howard dislocated a finger but he played on the remainder of the match.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey managed the equalizer (asst. Cherundolo) in minute 73, but Ronaldinho put home the winner on a free kick awarded on a suspect foul two minute later. A penalty kick by Elano in stoppage time made the final 4-2. Super Jay rooted from the bench. Team USA's next match is with Catalonia in Barcelona October 14.

Poom Injured

According to the official Watford site, keeper Mart Poom missed his start for the Estonian national team with a back injury and has returned to Watford for treatment.

Poom was signed over the summer to replace Ben Foster who was 'unloaned' and reclaimed by Manchester United. This could spell trouble for Watford or it could be a great opportunity for Richard Lee (cue "Call Mr. Lee" by Television) who did yeoman's work for the club when Foster was injured or cup-tied last season.

"Clash of Champions" Tomorrow

Copa d'Oro (read: North America) winners Team USA host CONMEBOL (South America) champs Brazil in what is being billed as the "Clash of Champions" tomorrow at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Brazil is bringing the big guns including Barcelona's Ronaldhino and Copa America goal leader Robinho (currently on the Real Madrid squad). In addition to Landon Donovan, two players of interest to readers of this blog, both defenders, will be suiting up for the US squad: Watford Hornet Jay DeMerit and, from Watford's Championship League rivals (and I use the term loosely as they currently occupy last place) Sheffield Wednesday, SLU High School alumni Frankie Simek.

The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN 2 and, for those of you who like your football in Spanish, Univision. Kickoff is at 3:00 pm Central and if you are up for a road trip, sideline, endline, and corner seats are still available.

Ipswich Town: (2-0) 3-0-1 9 pts.

I missed this one as was on the road all weekend. Poom started in the net and newcomer Nathan Ellington started on the bench as Darius Henderson and Marlon King took the field at striker. The combination paid off in the 6th minute as Hendo scored on an assist by King to take the lead. That held up as Poom shut out the Tractor Boys and Tommy Smith got the insurance goal in minute 75.

Hendo was rewarded with a signing on Monday, putting to rest rumors of his transfer (and turning them up on Kabba). Ellington saw playing time in the last 20 minutes and Williamson picked up a yellow card as the Hornets collected their 3 points.

The win puts them second place, a point behind Coventry City (who did eventually win the FA Cup all you Monty Python fans).

The League is on hiatus for two weeks as national matches take the stage. Called up to their national teams were Poom, Priskin, Shittu, and Jay DeMerit who will be on the USA squad when they face Brazil this Sunday. Next match for Watford is Sunday, September 16 at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is the ungodly hour 7:15 am St. Louis time.