Watford to Host FA Cup 3rd Round Match

We're not sure about the date yet (Jan. 8 or 9) or the opponent (Hartlepool United or Yeovil Town depending on the outcome of next Tuesday's match at Victoria Park), but Vicarage Road will be the site of this year's third round FA Cup match.

Barnsley Nil-Nil Watford 6-6-7 24 pts.

I've been travelling for family obligations and missed the last couple broadcasts (though I did get to see the Man U drubbing of Blackburn Saturday morning).

The link above will take you to the BBC summary.

The next match is Saturday, December 4 at Vicarage Road as the Hornets host Leicester City. Kickoff is 9:00 am.

Watford Keepers Everywhere!

After playing the first 45 minutes and conceeding a goal to Germany's U-21 squad last night, Scott Loach has been called up to the senior England squad for today's match with France.

Fabio Cappello summoned Loach to the national squad after Joe Hart withdrew with a back injury yesterday. Expected to start between the posts for England is Birmingham City and ex-Watford keeper Ben Foster.

Back to the Germany game, Jason Steele lasted just 13 minutes as Loach's sub before he was sent off for fouling Boris Vukcivek. Ex-Hornet midfielder Henri Lansbury donned the gloves for England, but could not stop Cenk Tosun's penalty shot. England lost 2-0.

Whither Loach?

A good deal of the back-and-forth, spurred in large part by listener texts, on Saturday's Three Counties Radio broadcast dealt with Scott Loach and whether he should be kept/played at Watford.

Obviously Loach is not the Premiership-quality keeper (yet) that some of the more delusional listeners might be hoping for, but he is a good, solid keeper for the position he is in: mid-table Championship. The England U-21 coach Stuart Pearce must agree as Loach has been named to the squad for tonight's match against Germany.

What the naysayers are missing is that we are not in a position to acquire a top-flight keeper. Our choice is not Loach or Ben Foster. Or even Loach or Richard Lee. What we have waiting in the wings is Rene Gilmartin (no offense).

Loach will do for now because he has to do for now.

Xavier Wins A10 Championship - Earns College Cup Berth

#6 seed Xavier upset #3 Temple, #1 Charlotte, and #2 LaSalle in succession to capture the 2010 Atlantic 10 title.

Defending champs SLU fell to LaSalle Friday night in the semi-finals.

Burnley 3-2 Watford 6-4-7 22 pts.

My apologies for the delay but I'm getting tired of reporting on blown leads.

Saturday was another, this time with a little help from referee Chris Sarginson, but the Hornets had plenty of missed opportunities of their own.

The Clarets opened the scoring with a header from Chris Iwelumo in the 25th, but this was countered by two scoring rushes from the recently returned Don Cowie. The first failed to convert, but he managed to score on the second try (assist Jordon Mutch) in minute 30.

A Martin Taylor header nearly 30 minutes into the second half gave the Hornets the lead which they held for twenty minutes until Ross Wallace tricked the defence long enough to even the match.

With less than 15 minutes remaining, Martin Taylor and Jay Rodriguez scrambled over a header, initially looking like Rodriguez committed a hand ball. Referee Sarginson thought otherwise, claiming Taylor came over the back, pushing Rodriguez into the ball and awarding a penalty. Film shows the two side-by-side.

Graham Alexander, one of the league's best penalty-takers, put the ball in the net to give Barnet three points on the day.

The next match is at home, Saturday, November 20, against Reading. Kickoff is 9:00 am.

SLU Advances to Second Round of A10 Playoffs

Alex Johnston scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 38th minute on the way to SLU's defeat of St. Bonaventure in the first round of the A-10 Championship.

The win finds SLU battling #2 seed LaSalle this afternoon in Charlotte, NC. The match will be webcast at www.atlantic10.com. Kickoff is 4:30 St. Louis time.

Crystal Palace 3-2 Watford 6-4-6 22 pts

A flurry of goals by Palace hot on the heels of Watford's own tipped the scales in favor of the Eagles and brought them their third straight win over Watford.

Darren Ambrose started things off for Crystal Palace in minute 18 with a shot into the upper right of the net. There the score stood until half.

Three minutes into the second half, Danny Graham found a Stephen McGinn cross to tie it up, followed four minute later by a Jordon Mutch goal (asst. Troy Deeney) to take the lead.

Alas, the scoring continued but for Palace; specifically Owen Garvan who netted a pair of goals in minutes 56 & 59 to send the Hornets packing from a game they arguably dominated, at least in terms of shots and corners.

The next match is Saturday, November 13 at Burnley. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Watford Posted £4 Million Loss for 2009 - 2010

Despite a cut of £4 million in player wages, the loss of parachute payments last year drove Watford further in the red. Click above for the Chairman's Report.

Derby County 4-1 Watford 6-3-5 21 pts.

I was off at a Toastmasters contest (and got beat as bad as the Hornets), so click on the BBC link above for the skinny. The loss drops Watford to 9th in a very crowded mid-table.

The next match is Saturday, November 6 when Vicarage Road plays host to Nottingham Forest. Kickoff is at 8:00 am St. Louis time.