Inaccuracies
By Mary Grimson
It was a warm November day and the sun shone brightly.
Hornets fans witnessed a spectacular ninety-minute display by the Golden Boys
which ended in a 3-0 home victory over Barnsley.
One of the above statements has inaccuracies.
The weather was indeed glorious and belied the fact that we were in the
month of November. Whilst the sun was out, it was very warm and Galli
played. Once the sun went over the back of the Rous stand, Galli went off.
That was all I am going to say about the first half, because the second
statement contained the gross inaccuracy; Watford did not put on a
spectacular ninety-minute display. They only came out to play with a vengeance
for the second half of the game.
Why? Well, here are Mr Ray Wilkins' words of explanation - "I felt, in the
first half, we were a little bit lacklustre and I don't know if that is
down to the fact that one end of the ground had very few people in it which
led to a lack of atmosphere." Ah yes, of course, and that would also
explain the same phenomenon at Bradford and Sheffield United, wouldn't it?
No. Whatever the reason, and they alone know, WFC have only got into
gear in the second half of the last three games they've played.
After the break Watford looked far brighter; played with more conviction and
belief and went ahead after fifty minutes. Vega volleyed the ball low across the area for Smith to slot into
the net. Thank goodness...and Vega looked as pleased as punch to have
been involved. Ten minutes later we were 2-0 up, Helguson taking two
attempts to get the ball past ex-Watford favourite Miller. In this half,
defending the Rookery goal, Miller displayed his trademark wayward kick
which resulted in the Rookery chanting his name; he looked round smiling.
At the stroke of eighty-nine minutes, Vialli decided to replace Smith with Wooter. As
the game drew to a close, Glass crossed the ball from the left, and Helguson
came in at the far post to score again. Helguson looked delighted to get his
second goal. Wooter turned rounded and headed slowly back to the centre
circle, looking at the grass. With Helguson running up behind him, he held
out his hand, and the two players hit hands. Thirty seconds later the game was
over, Watford had won 3-0 and most players looked pleased. Nordin however
shook the hands of the two closest Barnsley players and trudged off the
pitch, head down.
I wonder how much more we will see of the talented little Dutchman. He is my
favourite player, and although he started brightly at the beginning of the
season, he seems to be out of favour after an injury in late September,
generally being used as a substitute. He is an easy target for his detractors as
he doesn't always produce the perfect pass or cross, but he has talent by
the bucketload, and when he plays he brings excitement and unpredictability
which can unnerve an opposition defence.
