It's
official!
Watford 0 Burnley 1, Tuesday 13 March 2001
Report by Hego
It’s quite strange how things turn out
really. After struggling desperately to get to the meeting pub prior to kick-off, the
web-meister pleaded with me to undertake this particular match report, prior to me even
getting to the bar. Strange, and not totally down to my legendary silky skills with the
quill pen. The reason primarily was that there were no real takers for this one, given the
likelihood of defeat (after the dismal Portsmouth performance) at a venue which very few
of us are fond of. I was none too keen, but finally relented as a penance due to an
element of guilt in failing to provide a solitary piece of prose for the last magazine.
The first failure since the days when gay meant happy, and Kurt Waldheim was just another
boring decent Austrian politician.
Well, what a stroke of luck. In this particular
match, we finally achieved Stan’s unspoken goal of fifty-two points with eleven games
still to play, after a very competent performance against one of the play-off favorites,
at a ground we have never won at! It’s official, we are in the First Division next
year with room, nay a whole house to spare!
The old stubless ticket from the postponed match
gained me entrance in to the ground in a sober condition, and with borrowed quill pen and
paper (memory isn’t what it used to be). For those who have not been to Elton’s
place, the ground has three relatively modern stands, with the other side at present
undeveloped and quaintly Victorian. I pondered the state of the pitch, which looked little
different from when the previous match was postponed. Hmmmm. A thousand or more voluble
Clarets were in attendance, which was pretty good given the venue on a midweek night. To
add to the occasion there was a referee by the name of Laws, and a linesman who looked
just about old enough to be sitting his ‘O’ levels. Hoped the ref wasn’t as
paranoid as his namesake, the ex Claret Scunny tea cup throwing manager.
No Glen Little in evidence, and no Lemon thank
goodness, but a pretty strong side with Briscoe back in the saddle and Cox returned from
his Caribbean holidays. The Watford side are a pretty nondescript outfit, except for the
excellent Neilsen in midfield.
The early pressure came from the Clarets with a
series of half-chances. Mullin beat Cox on their right and crossed to the near post where
Moore put the ball narrowly wide. Mullin had a chance in the box from Mitchell’s
cross, which was deflected wide, and led to three Burnley corners in as many minutes.
Taylor missed a free header in the box, and after some neat one touch play Mullin put
another effort wide. Hmm, looks good. Watford’s only real chances in the first
quarter fell to Mooney at the back post and Smith, following a misjudgement of a header by
Briscoe. His shot was well saved by NTG, who looked solid throughout the game. Briscoe was
looking a little rusty and lacking pace, which was not unsurprising after his lay-off, and
was exploited throughout the game by Watford.
Up to half time Watford increased the pressure,
but the chances were restricted to Cox long-range efforts, comfortably saved by NTG.
Weller chased and harried to good effect, and had two half chances before the break. A
good solid first half performance, and an eminent chance of three points if we could take
our chances. Thence to the used ale repository and the chance to partake of an almost
Cornish pasty. Not perfect, but what a change from the Gillingham and Portsmouth away end
squalor! The half time entertainment came from the Watford Sunny Delight brigade to our
left, who really should have been at home doing their school work or playing with their
Lego.
The second half began fairly dismally, with play
from both sides about as messy as a Tracy Emin bed. Moore livened things up with a
brilliant volley from distance, on the turn, which hurried Baardsen up a bit. Ball
continued to snap in midfield, adding to the solid feel of the Claret defence. Although
this wasn’t by any means his best game, it does make a difference to have someone in
midfield with a bit of inner angst, and who is blessed with the psychology of a claymore.
Mullin and Weller continued to create and Helguson had two powerful headers off target.
Mullin had a real curate's egg of a game, some good breaks spoiled by poor crosses. A good
player, but with more Achilles heels than the average biped. Taylor then broke the
deadlock on 73 minutes with a messy goal. Weller’s cross from the right was watched
and missed by the entire Watford defence before Taylor stabbed the ball home. Cue
delirium.
A flurry of substitutions and the inevitable
pressure by Watford brought little coherent play (ex Nielsen) and few real chances before
the end, signalled by a mass exodus of Watford fans to the sounds of 'Who are yer!' Off
then to the hostelry to chew over a competent solid performance so unlike the Portsmouth
game it was unreal. I am reminded of an old maxim when describing this type of
performance, so reminiscent of the early part of the season, and that is ‘the only
place you find success before work is in the dictionary.’
Team (3-5-2ish):
Michopoulos, The Legend, Thomas, Cox, Mullin (Maylett 80), Weller, Ball, Cook (Armstrong
76), Briscoe, Moore (Payton 88), Taylor. Subs not used: Crichton and West.
Scorer: Taylor
(73).
Attendance:
13,653.
Referee: G Laws
of Whitley Bay (hmm, quite a few of these Laws fellows about).
Hego's Man of the
Match: Paul Weller.
London Clarets Man
of the Match: Paul Weller.
The home game and our
previous visit
