Lots of new faces for Watford and at least one old one for Burnley in this shooting match.
The Hornets picked up Mark Tyler on loan from The Posh (Peterborough) to replenish the dwindling keeper ranks and Wolverhampton Wanderers loaned us Darren Ward to plug the back ranks with Jay DeMerit still not ready to start.
What, you may ask, happened to Sam Sodje who was brought in for that very reason from Reading for the Sheffield United match? He aggravated an injury and was returned to Reading.
On a brighter note Mat Sadler was back in the line-up after a knee injury and Tamas Priskin came on from the bench late in the match. Richard Lee filled the net and ex-Hornet Clarke Carlisle started for Burnley.
Ward made himself felt in the first six minutes, heading the ball to Will Hoskins who drilled a six-yarder to give Watford the lead. Unfortunately a handball by Leigh Bromby set up a penalty kick in minute 25 that Graham Alexander converted into the equalizer for the Clarets.
Play went back and forth until Watford began putting on the pressure near the end of the first half. Finally into added time, Hoskin unleashed a shot from twenty yards out only to have it deflected by Carlisle. Lee Williamson was there to catch the rebound and set a cross back to Hoskins who scored on the follow-on from six yards out.
The lead only lasted for the half-time break as Martin Patterson found a cross from Wade Elliott to tie the match once again in the first minute after play resumed. Elliot got his own chance in the 69th minute when he headed in a cross from Chris McCann from six yards out to give Burnley the win.
I'll be on the road for the next match (I've yet to figure out how to get Three Counties Radio in my car as I tool down I-70), but it will be back at Vicarage Road this Saturday, October 4 for the first of two matches next month against Preston North End. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
League Cup Round 4 Draw
The Hornets are on their way to Wales for the fourth round of the 2008-09 Carling Cup. The match, announced Saturday, will see Watford travel to Liberty Stadium to take on League One squad Swansea City. The Swans have beaten Brentford, Hull City & Cardiff City to advance to round four.
The match will take place the week of November 10.
The match will take place the week of November 10.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sheffield United (1-2) 2-2-4 8 pts.
With only two shots on goal for Watford, a weak Hornets squad walked away empty-handed.
One of those shots was a header by John-Joe O'Toole that came off a rebound from a Leigh Bromby shot, equalizing from five yards out in minute 56. The tie score only lasted ten minutes as James Beattie headed a perfect cross from Sharp to give United the win.
Ex-Hornet Darius Henderson was given a warm reception by the visiting Watford fans, coming on for Beattie late in the match.
The Hornets' 8 points leave them only 3 points above the relegation zone. The injury-plagued club's next match is Tuesday, September 30 at Burnley. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
One of those shots was a header by John-Joe O'Toole that came off a rebound from a Leigh Bromby shot, equalizing from five yards out in minute 56. The tie score only lasted ten minutes as James Beattie headed a perfect cross from Sharp to give United the win.
Ex-Hornet Darius Henderson was given a warm reception by the visiting Watford fans, coming on for Beattie late in the match.
The Hornets' 8 points leave them only 3 points above the relegation zone. The injury-plagued club's next match is Tuesday, September 30 at Burnley. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Sheffield United: 0-1 at the Half
The Hornets lost their second keeper in as many weeks as Scott Loach, making a save to prevent the Blades second goal pulled a muscle in his side. With Poom down, that leaves Lee, barely recovered from his own injuries, as our sole keeper.
Injuries have troubled Watford recently. Sam Sodje was acquired on loan for a month from Reading to replace the ailing Jay DeMerit and started today. He's not started for Reading yet this season and seem a bit lost on the pitch today.
I missed the sole goal by Gary Speed (asst. Sharp) in the 2nd minute, not getting logged into MatchLive until two minutes later. United's had more control of the match, but otherwise it's been quiet.
Injuries have troubled Watford recently. Sam Sodje was acquired on loan for a month from Reading to replace the ailing Jay DeMerit and started today. He's not started for Reading yet this season and seem a bit lost on the pitch today.
I missed the sole goal by Gary Speed (asst. Sharp) in the 2nd minute, not getting logged into MatchLive until two minutes later. United's had more control of the match, but otherwise it's been quiet.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
LC: West Ham United (1-0)
The Hornets are on their way to the fourth round of the League Cup thanks to an own goal by Hayden Mullens in the 70th minute and a handful of saves by Scott Loach.
Watford nearly evened up the time of possession as they clamped down after the goal. Jon Harley & Dale Bennett came in after the goal for Tommy Smith & Lee Williamson in an effort to preserve the lead. The tactic paid off and Watford is on to the next level.
Richard Lee suited up on the sidelines and, as the folks on GloryHorns pointed out to me, is not as injured as I thought.
The next match is at Bramall Lane against a battered Sheffield United, losers of a 6-0 rout today at Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. Kick off is 9:00 am St. Louis time this Saturday, September 27.
Watford nearly evened up the time of possession as they clamped down after the goal. Jon Harley & Dale Bennett came in after the goal for Tommy Smith & Lee Williamson in an effort to preserve the lead. The tactic paid off and Watford is on to the next level.
Richard Lee suited up on the sidelines and, as the folks on GloryHorns pointed out to me, is not as injured as I thought.
The next match is at Bramall Lane against a battered Sheffield United, losers of a 6-0 rout today at Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. Kick off is 9:00 am St. Louis time this Saturday, September 27.
Nil - Nil at the Half
Got dragged into a meeting and missed most of the first half. Two stats leaped out at me: time of possession ran nearly 2-1 in West Ham's favor, but despite that Watford uncorked seven shots to the Hammer's five.
Game Day - West Ham United
League Cup action today as the Hammers visit Vicarage Road. The squads met last in the Premiership in 2007 and the Hornets have had West Ham's number in the recent past. The good guys are 11-4 favorites in the wagering.
A couple of changes for Watford -- Scott Loach in the net, Jordan Parkes in the backfield, Ainsworth, Al Bangurra, and Ross Jenkins rounding out the changes. Kickoff is in about 10 minutes.
A couple of changes for Watford -- Scott Loach in the net, Jordan Parkes in the backfield, Ainsworth, Al Bangurra, and Ross Jenkins rounding out the changes. Kickoff is in about 10 minutes.
Go 'Orns!!!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Reading (2-2) 2-2-3 8 pts.
A wild-and-woolly second half saw three goals and the ejection of Aidy Boothroyd.
Not letting the events of the first weigh heavy on them as they took the field after the break, the Hornets found an equalizing goal from Tommy Smith in minute 57 as he drilled a right-footer into the low center of the net (unassisted).
Seven minutes later Watford took the lead when John-Joe O'Toole did what he does best, charging the net to find a short pass from Will Hoskins waiting for him. After drilling the ball into the lower right of the net, the referee found John-Joe's celebration a little too enthusiastic and showed him the yellow card.
Malky Mackay shepherded the squad in Aidy's absence and the Hornets held the lead until a John Eustace foul on Shane Long lead to a penalty goal by Steve Hunt t even things up in minute 87. To add insult to injury the first half goal was changed to an own goal by Eustace.
The match was marred by failure of the officials to keep control of the proceedings though a disallowed goal (foul) for the Royals helped to even out the injustices of the first half.
Watford's play was lackluster and they were lucky to earn a point from this match. Of bigger concern is the injury to Poom. Richard Lee is still unavailable and Scott Loach is not quite ready for the full responsibility of a team at this level. We need to look to the loan market.
The next match is Tuesday's League Cup tie against West Ham United at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Not letting the events of the first weigh heavy on them as they took the field after the break, the Hornets found an equalizing goal from Tommy Smith in minute 57 as he drilled a right-footer into the low center of the net (unassisted).
Seven minutes later Watford took the lead when John-Joe O'Toole did what he does best, charging the net to find a short pass from Will Hoskins waiting for him. After drilling the ball into the lower right of the net, the referee found John-Joe's celebration a little too enthusiastic and showed him the yellow card.
Malky Mackay shepherded the squad in Aidy's absence and the Hornets held the lead until a John Eustace foul on Shane Long lead to a penalty goal by Steve Hunt t even things up in minute 87. To add insult to injury the first half goal was changed to an own goal by Eustace.
The match was marred by failure of the officials to keep control of the proceedings though a disallowed goal (foul) for the Royals helped to even out the injustices of the first half.
Watford's play was lackluster and they were lucky to earn a point from this match. Of bigger concern is the injury to Poom. Richard Lee is still unavailable and Scott Loach is not quite ready for the full responsibility of a team at this level. We need to look to the loan market.
The next match is Tuesday's League Cup tie against West Ham United at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Half Time 0-1
An early injury to Mart Poom & a controversial goal marked the first half of play as a demoralized Watford team fought to keep the score close.
Two minutes in the Watford keeper dislocated his shoulder after going up for a header and landing hard. Scott Loach was brought in and the young goalie has manage a couple of save to keep it close.
The big controversy of the match erupted ten minutes later following a Reading corner kick. In the ensuing scramble, an off-target shot by Noel Hunt hit John Eustace who was standing wide of the goal. The linesman, thinking his was in the net, gave Hunt the goal. The fans & players saw the flag as an offside call and played on -- only to have the delayed goal credited.
The fans are enraged, treating the linesman to chants of "Linesman, Linesman give US a goal" and the wind went out of the Hornets.
We'll see if they can regroup. Aidy's already used two substitutions, bringing Lionel Ainsworth in for Jobi McAnuff.
Two minutes in the Watford keeper dislocated his shoulder after going up for a header and landing hard. Scott Loach was brought in and the young goalie has manage a couple of save to keep it close.
The big controversy of the match erupted ten minutes later following a Reading corner kick. In the ensuing scramble, an off-target shot by Noel Hunt hit John Eustace who was standing wide of the goal. The linesman, thinking his was in the net, gave Hunt the goal. The fans & players saw the flag as an offside call and played on -- only to have the delayed goal credited.
The fans are enraged, treating the linesman to chants of "Linesman, Linesman give US a goal" and the wind went out of the Hornets.
We'll see if they can regroup. Aidy's already used two substitutions, bringing Lionel Ainsworth in for Jobi McAnuff.
Game Day - Reading
Coming off a 6-0 trouncing of Sheffield Wednesday, the Royals visit Vicarage Road today. Tomas Priskin & Lloyd Doyley are both sitting out with hamstring injuries -- Will Hoskins & Adrian Mariappa filling the gap. Full line up:
Poom
Mariappa Bromby DeMerit Harley
Williamson Eustace O'Toole Williamson
McAnuff Smith Hoskins
Go 'Orns!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
New League Football Podcast Available
A weekly offering hosted by BBC's Mark Clemmit. It's free and available from iTunes or at www.football-league.co.uk. Today marks the first episode.
If you're not a subscriber already, I'd also recommend the BBC World Football podcast and the Up All Night call-in podcast hosted by Dotun Adebayo. Very entertaining.
If you're not a subscriber already, I'd also recommend the BBC World Football podcast and the Up All Night call-in podcast hosted by Dotun Adebayo. Very entertaining.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Plymouth Argyle (1-2) 2-1-3 7pts.
Watford came out attacking again but the damage continued in the second half.
A hand ball by Jay DeMerit lead to a penalty kick that Luke Summerfield converted into a 2-0 lead for Argyle in the 72nd minute. A minute later Tommy Smith fouled Summerfield and was booked for unsporting behavior.
The score stood at 2-0 until the last seven minutes when Smith took a shot off a corner kick that missed but was followed up eventually by John-Joe O'Toole to close the gap to one goal with a right-footer into the bottom of the goal from six yards out.
Overall another lackluster performance by the squad. Next match is this Saturday, September 20 against Reading at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
A hand ball by Jay DeMerit lead to a penalty kick that Luke Summerfield converted into a 2-0 lead for Argyle in the 72nd minute. A minute later Tommy Smith fouled Summerfield and was booked for unsporting behavior.
The score stood at 2-0 until the last seven minutes when Smith took a shot off a corner kick that missed but was followed up eventually by John-Joe O'Toole to close the gap to one goal with a right-footer into the bottom of the goal from six yards out.
Overall another lackluster performance by the squad. Next match is this Saturday, September 20 against Reading at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Plymouth Argyle 0-1 at the Half
The Hornets came out strong with a shot by O'Toole and a follow-up by Lee Williamson in the fourth minute that was cleared out. They maintained the pressure for the first twenty minutes or so but Argyle fought back.
Karl Duguid managed a left-footer from 18 yards out that took the wind out of Watford. The squads are nearly even on shots, corners, fouls, time of possession, etc. but, alas, not on score. How Watford handles this half will be indicative of the class, or lack thereof, we can expect from this squad this season.
Karl Duguid managed a left-footer from 18 yards out that took the wind out of Watford. The squads are nearly even on shots, corners, fouls, time of possession, etc. but, alas, not on score. How Watford handles this half will be indicative of the class, or lack thereof, we can expect from this squad this season.
Game Day - Plymouth Argyle
The last-place Pilgrims visit Vicarage Road today as the Hornets hope to improve on their 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday Saturday (diagram that sentence Mrs. Putnam!). The starting XI are the same as Saturday, hopefully with O'Toole dropped back a bit.
Last season against Argyle, Watford lost at home and drew at Home Park. Kickoff is in one minute - Clive Penton the referee.
Go 'Orns!!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
SLU Nil-Nil UConn
The Billikens played #4 University of Connecticut to a 0-0 draw after two overtime periods Saturday night. I was joined at the match by Travis and we met Mr. & Mrs. Mojo at the stadium under the threatening skies. The rain held off but the pitch was still obviously soft at the 7:00 pm kickoff from the day's rain.
SLU controlled the tempo in the first half, their tight midfield relieving UConn of the ball repeatedly in the first fifteen minutes. Play settled into a groove for the rest of the half with the Huskies having few chances but playing a tight defense that allowed SLU only three shots to UConn's two.
Both squads played looser in the second half, UConn getting more time near the SLU net and the Billikens taking more shots and giving the Huskies less time to fill in the defense.
Scoreless at the end of regulation, the sides played more aggressively yet no ball found the net in the two ten-minute overtime periods. Had SLU played the same attacking football in the first half that we saw in overtime, they may have walked away with a win.
Kyle Patterson was much improved over pre-season, getting a shot on goal and earning the squad a number of corner kicks. Brandon Barklage managed two shots on goal as well. Dado Hamzagic left in the first period and did not return - no word on why.
For UConn, I was much impressed with their mid-fielder Akeem Priestly, a terriffic dribbler and play-maker and one-time Junior member of the Reggae Boyz.
Next match is Saturday, September 20 at Hermann Field against Denver. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.
SLU controlled the tempo in the first half, their tight midfield relieving UConn of the ball repeatedly in the first fifteen minutes. Play settled into a groove for the rest of the half with the Huskies having few chances but playing a tight defense that allowed SLU only three shots to UConn's two.
Both squads played looser in the second half, UConn getting more time near the SLU net and the Billikens taking more shots and giving the Huskies less time to fill in the defense.
Scoreless at the end of regulation, the sides played more aggressively yet no ball found the net in the two ten-minute overtime periods. Had SLU played the same attacking football in the first half that we saw in overtime, they may have walked away with a win.
Kyle Patterson was much improved over pre-season, getting a shot on goal and earning the squad a number of corner kicks. Brandon Barklage managed two shots on goal as well. Dado Hamzagic left in the first period and did not return - no word on why.
For UConn, I was much impressed with their mid-fielder Akeem Priestly, a terriffic dribbler and play-maker and one-time Junior member of the Reggae Boyz.
Next match is Saturday, September 20 at Hermann Field against Denver. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sheffield Wednesday (0-2) 2-1-2 7 pts.
A bit of a lackluster match by both sides. The Owls got an excuse-me goal off the back heel of Marcus Tudgay in minute 22, squirting away from Mart poom and into the net. It stood 0-1 Wednesday at the half.
Tommy Spurr managed an unassisted goal in the 56th minute to put the match out of reach for the Hornets.
An uneventful game, unmarred by an excess of shots on goal (3 for Wednesday, 2 for Watford) or corners (3 each). As Aidy said, it was an average effort and they were beat from the start.
One criticism was the use of John-Joe O'Toole up front. The commentators pointed out, and I agree, that John-Joe seems to play better attacking from mid-field rather than waiting on a pass near the net. He's shown the ability to beat and/or fool the defenders when he is on the move. I hope to see him back in his normal slot Tuesday.
The next match is 1:45 pm (St. Louis time) Tuesday afternoon at Vicarage Road against Plymouth.
Tommy Spurr managed an unassisted goal in the 56th minute to put the match out of reach for the Hornets.
An uneventful game, unmarred by an excess of shots on goal (3 for Wednesday, 2 for Watford) or corners (3 each). As Aidy said, it was an average effort and they were beat from the start.
One criticism was the use of John-Joe O'Toole up front. The commentators pointed out, and I agree, that John-Joe seems to play better attacking from mid-field rather than waiting on a pass near the net. He's shown the ability to beat and/or fool the defenders when he is on the move. I hope to see him back in his normal slot Tuesday.
The next match is 1:45 pm (St. Louis time) Tuesday afternoon at Vicarage Road against Plymouth.
Game Day - Sheffield Wednesday
Back from the International Break, the Hornets take their game and a new away kit to Hillsborough to try to snag three points from the Sheffield Wedneday Owls. Watford has won the last three meetings with Wednesday. Starting line-up is:
Poom
Bromby DeMerit Doyley Harley
Eustace McAnuff Williamson
Smith Priskin O'Toole
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