Match Report: Wednesday 1-1 Watford
By Nicholas Rigg
October 19 2005
Wednesday couldn't hold on to the 1-0 lead against Watford which would have seen them climb out of the relegation zone. Chris Brunt put the Owls in front just after the hour mark, but a scrappy late equaliser from Ashley Young made sure the Hornets took a share of the points to Vicarage Road.
Wednesday 1-1 Watford
Date: Tuesday 18th October
Venue: Hillsborough, Sheffield
A Chris Brunt goal just after the hour mark was not enough for Wednesday who remain in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw against Watford.
Paul Sturrock kept faith with the team that drew at Plymouth at the weekend despite the question mark over the fitness of Brunt and Glenn Whelen.
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd made two changes to the team that lost at home to Leicester at the weekend. Jordan Stewart and Anthony McNamee were replaced by Darius Henderson and Lloyd Doyley.
Wednesday started the better of the two sides with Chris Eagles eager to get one over on his former employees. His neat flick followed by an inch-perfect cross for David Graham resulted in the former Wigan man heading against the post.
Just two minutes later it was Watford's turn to come close to opening the scoring. Confusion between David Lucas and John Hills resulted in Marlon King intercepting the ball and putting it in the back of the net - only for the referee to blow for handball.
The end to end action continued as Watford keeper Ben Foster was fortunate to stay on the field following a last-ditch tackle on David Graham. Graham was put through on goal and had only the keeper to beat before Foster came running from his goal and slide in. Foster seemed to be the last man and a red card seemed the likely option but the referee gave the on-loan Manchester United stopper a yellow.
The resulting free-kick saw Glenn Whelen shoot just over the bar.
Watford could count themselves lucky for a second time minutes later, when Lee Peacock chipped Clarke Carlisle to find a way in to the penalty box, only to be felled by the former Leeds United man. The referee dismissed Peacock's claim.
The hornets posed a threat thorugh Henderson and King who both came close to putting the visitors ahead. King nearly raced on to the end of a poor back pass to Lucas, but he was quick to come out from his goal and intercept the ball. The on-loan Forest striker also had a shot blocked just before half time.
David Graham picked up an injury and was replaced by Burton O'Brien for the second half. Chris Brunt partnered Lee Peacock upfront and O'Brien moved to the left side of midfield.
The end-to-end action continued in the same vein in the second half. A good attacking move involving the sparky Chris Eagles resulted in a free-kick which Brunt hit just over the bar.
Graham Coughlan was also left unmarked in the Watford box from a corner, only to see his header to straight in to the arms of Foster in the Hornets goal.
Wednesday couldn't cope with the pace of the Watford players on the break, and Frankie Simek had to make three last ditch tackles to prevent the visitors taking the lead. The first came when Ashley Young ran in to the Owls penalty area and looked only to have to beat Lucas in the Owls goal, but Simek stuck his foot out and won the ball clearly.
The deadlock was broken on 63 minutes when a through ball from Lee Peacock found the feet of Chris Brunt who ran with the ball and calmly lofted the ball over Ben Foster to make it 1-0.
American-born Simek came to Wednesday's rescue again when Marlon King found himself in front of goal, but Simek blocked the ball and cleared to safety.
Graham Coughlan suffered concussion after an aeriel collision with Marlon King. The former Plymouth man briefly came back on to the pitch to help the back four out, but was eventually taken off the pitch to a standing ovation before being replaced by Richard Wood.
Wednesday could, and should, have had the game wrapped up with ten minutes to go after an inspirational Chris Eagles beat two players to break in to the Watford box. He seemed to be pulled down by two Watford defenders and 21,000 fans all appealed for what looked like a blatent penalty. The appeal was waved away by the referee to the dismay of the Owls fans.
The Hillsborough faithful had even more reason to complain just five minutes later as Ashley Young somehow found the space to squeeze the ball in to the back of the Wednesday goal and equalise for the Hornets.
Seven minutes of stoppage time were added to injuries in the second half, and the visitors nearly snatched a late winner when Carlisle hit the post and King missed what seemed like an easy tap-in.
The draw keeps Wednesday in the bottom three and shows just how desperate they are for a striker. Glenn Whelen proved tonight that he needs to be dropped for a game. His passes were wayward and his general fitness was poor.
Brighton at home next Monday is definately a must win game for Paul Sturrocks men if they are to survive in the Championship this seaoson.
My Man Of The Match: Chris Eagles
Wednesday:
Lucas, Simek, Coughlan (Wood 80), Lee, Hills, Eagles, Whelan, Rocastle (Partridge 88), Brunt Peacock, Graham (O'Brien 45). Subs Not Used: Bullen, Corr.
Watford:
Foster, Doyley, Carlisle, Mackay, Chambers, Devlin (DeMerit 84), Spring (Bangura 84), Mahon, Young, King, Henderson (McNamee 60). Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Stewart.
Paul Sturrock told the official SWFC site:
''I'm frustrated to lose such a poor goal,''
''I don't mind somebody smashing one in from 30 yards but to lose a goal like that is very dissapointing. A couple of players didn't defend on the right side.''
''The players have given me everything I could ask for in terms of work rate and effort.''
''We're undefeated in three but in the last two games we've been 1-0 up and lost late goals. But if somebody told me we'd have taken four points from the Watford and Brighton games I'd have probably taken it - so now we have to go and get that win against Brighton.''
Attendance: 21,189
Referee: T Leake (Lancashire) (6/10)