Latest 'From the Rookery End' Podcast Available

Featuring an interview with Scott Loach, the latest podcast is available on iTunes today.

Watford 0 - 2 Scunthorpe United 6-3-4 21 pts.

Whoever dubbed soccer 'the beautiful game' wasn't watching this one.

A plodding match from both squads found Scunny on top at the half 2-0 at which point everyone should have just gone home and salvaged their Saturday.

A goal by Cliff Byrne at the 28th minute seemed to light a small fire under Watford, but it was thoroughly extinguished in added time at the end of the first half when Martyn Woolford scored the second Scunthorpe goal.

The second half was marred by frustration and the loss of both Watford strikers to injury; Danny Graham clutching his back and Marvin Sordell limping off after trying to play through the pain.

They will have a week to recover as the next match is October 30 at Darby County. Here's where I get confused as I believe the UK falls off Daylight Savings time tomorrow and we don't (thanks W). So kickoff is either 8, 9, or 10 St. Louis time. I'll clarify later in the week.

Watford 2-1 Ipswich Town 6-3-3 21 pts.

I was in seminars in NYC Tuesday, but caught most of the match on the BlackBerry.

The match saw the return of Tommy Smith & Tamas Priskin to Vicarage Road and Tommy felt right at home, busy on most plays in the first half.

But it was a pair of late first half goals for Watford that earned the Hornets their 3 points. The first, a right footer from six yards out by Stephen McGinn (Martin Taylor asst.) came in the 41st minute. The crowd barely had time to sit down when Marvin "Score-dell" doubled the lead two minutes later with a header from six yards out off an Andrew Taylor cross.

David Norris made a game of it in the 61st minute, but Watford held on to propel themselves into a clear third place in the standings.

The next match is Saturday, October 23 as Scunthorpe visits Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Portsmouth 3-2 Watford 5-3-3 18 pts

The Hornets stay in the playoff zone on goal difference despite losing their first league away match of the season.

I was traveling this morning and missed the match, so I've attached a link to the BBC's summary above.

The next match is Tuesday, October 19 against Ipswich Town in the first match at Vicarage Road since late September. Kickoff is at 1:45 PM St. Louis time OR 2:45 PM in NYC which is where I'll be, stealing glances at the updates as I get my continuing ed.

Saracens to Leave Vicarage Road

The Watford rugby club, the Saracens have reportedly not renewed their lease at Vicarage Road. Estimates of lost revenue are in the £150,000 - 400,000 range thought it remains to be seen if this will result in a net gain as Watford FC's pitch repair costs may be more than this amount.

Sheffield United 0-1 Watford 5-3-2 18 pts.

A solid defense allowed Watford to preserve an early 1-0 lead and capture 3 point at Bramall Lane today.

Marvin Sordell took a brilliant Danny Graham cross from 6 yards out and right-footed it into the net in the 16th minute for the match's only goal. Watford controlled the first half, Scott Loach only needing one save.

Troy Deeney came on for Sordell at the half and Malky Mackay opted to play to preserve the lead. The Blades did manage about ten minutes of playing deep into the Watford end, but the defense held and the Hornets hold their spot in the table.

After the international break, Watford resumes league play at Portsmouth Saturday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Latest Episode of "From the Rookery End" Out

Featuring an interview with Lee Hodson. Available above or via iTunes.