We Love Talking
If you have something
you want us to talk about
send us an email.
Editorial
Hornets make a meal of Palace - Watford 4-3 Crystal Palace
The empty seats around Vicarage Road on Saturday were evidence to suggest that once faithful followers of Watford have become disillusioned by a string of poor performances, and are beginning to vote with their feet.
Watford had to overcome Crystal Palace, embark on a decent cup run, and give people a reason to turn up on a Saturday afternoon.
Those who did make it, saw Watford eventually do enough to get past a stubborn Palace side, though they made life difficult for themselves. Jay DeMerit, Jack Cork, Will Hoskins and Grzegorz Rasiak all got themselves onto the score sheet.
Watford made a bright start, and should have been ahead after just six minutes when Jon Harley missed an open goal from just five yards. Groans from around the ground followed the dreadful miss. Though a goal soon came, and it was a well-taken volley from 12 yards by captain DeMerit. The American was given the time to control the ball on his chest and then smash it into the back of the Palace net.
Shortly after Watford suprised the home support by actually managing to string passes together on the move, Rasiak fed the ball to Jobi McAnuff on the left flank who ran with the ball deep into the Palace half before delivering a looping ball to Cork, who was unmarked at the far corner and coolly tucked away his header – his first for Watford.
Though Watford never looked like comfortable leaders, and just three minutes after the break, Palace were allowed back into this tie. DeMerit foolishly gave away a free kick on the edge of the area and Watford’s ever-shaky defence failed to deal with the subsequent cross and Clint Hill headed past Scott Loach.
Another pointless foul by DeMerit saw Palace’s John Oster wrap his foot around the ball from 25 yards out, he beat Loach, though was denied by the upright – a let off for Watford and DeMerit.
Defensive problems continued for the Hornets, as they have all season, and the Eagles continued to dominate and press. However, mid-way into the second half Rasiak fed the ball into Will Hoskins, who had his back to goal. The lively forward twisted to allow space, and finished from close range to restore the two goal lead – right in front of the Rookery.
Soon after it was Rasiak’s turn, again McAnuff played a part in the goal, who after one of his surging runs, saw the Hungarian in space and found him with the ball. Rasiak used the outside of his boot to poke the ball beyond the Palace keeper and put Watford in touching distance of the fifth round.
At this point two Palace fans decided to stretch their legs and ran across the pitch towards the home end. The excitment was soon over however, as the pair were promptly flattened by a couple of Vicarage Road stewards and handed over to Hertfordshire Police.
Back on the pitch, Watford could not kill the game off, and instead of closing up and holding the ball, the Hornets continued to give away possession and Neil Danns was allowed to make it 4-2 after Oster was given the time and space to cross the ball into the Hornets’ penalty area on 80 minutes.
Deep into injury time the visitors managed another goal, again illustrating the weakness of DeMerit’s defence. Paul Ifill latched on to a long ball that really should have been dealt with by Watford.
News of Wycombe Wanderers’ promising centre-back Mike Williamson joining Watford on Monday is encouraging. If Watford are going to progress in this competition, and also in the league this season, Rodgers must invest in defencive players.