It's just a grim place. Even the 'Arry Krishnas were struggling to be cheerful in a wet Watford on Saturday. SBJ, H, G2, yours truly and Tim who needs a nickname, made the short journey up from London to watch Aidy's return to one of the worst stadiums we go to over the season. After finding each other (we need an app for that) in Mangans, we coughed up the £27 for a seat in a stand without a bar.
No Vivienne from the start, due a family bereavement. A fact which caused much confusion in a witty exchange of banter with the old lady in the row in front. Apparently Vivenne lives in Meridan, as she knows his milkman, and that's why he's not going to Celtic. Or something like that. So, a new goalkeeper, take a bow Iain Turner.
15 minutes into his one and only start for the skyblues, a bleeding, concussed, and very bewildered Turner was led off the pitch (see photo below). Take a bow Pauline Quirke, making his debut at the tender age of 18. And tender height of 5 foot 8. A warm reception from the travelling faithful was rewarded with a tip top save early one. This was then followed by a hashed clearance, and then a random wander towards a cross, leaving a simple header for the opening goal.
Not much going on up front at this point, Chef looked off the pace still, Freddy wasn't that mobile and Scrabble wasn't getting the right service.
Half time came and went. Then Eustace popped in an overhead kick from 15 yards. Not really much Pauline could have done about it, but we were looking dead and buried. Like most of the people we saw on Watford High Street earlier on.
60 minutes gone, Freddy and Chef are replaced by Plattini and Gunner. At last, some energy, some fight and a bit of threat. It surprised us. And surprised the referee more, who went off injured in sympathy.
88 minutes gone, the faithful were starting to drift away, presumably to beat the traffic as everyone in Watford realised there must be more to life and made their escape. Then Tinker picks up the ball, not literally, and lashes it past Englands third choice keeper. Dare we believe? Kick off, followed by a corner. Plattini complains to the ref about being held by a Hornet. Then the Giraffe takes a tumble, and Scrabble has the chance to put away a penalty.
We don't score last minute penalties though, do we. Or do we? Scrabble pops it in to the corner, and we're now looking for an injury time winner. Tinker goes close with a shot that's tipped over the bar, but we play out the 7 minutes of injury time, and finish with a point. Though it did feel like a win.
Revolution beckoned, blue drinks flowed, and Watford celebrated like only Watford can. Somewhere else.....
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