Hornets end run of defeats with victory over Ipswich Town (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hornets end run of defeats with victory over Ipswich Town

9:49pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

By Anthony Matthews »

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Malky Mackay’s decision to promote Will Hoskins from the bench paid off as Watford ended their losing run with a battling 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Vicarage Road.

Hoskins was given the nod over Danny Graham in the only change from Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 reverse to Peterborough United, and the former Rotherham United striker fired home the winner from 15 yards with 14 minutes remaining.

Earlier, Henri Lansbury had capped a good start by the Hornets with an early opener, before Jack Colback equalised mid-way through the second period.

Watford’s first win in five also ensured they maintained their Indian sign over the Tractor Boys, who have now not one any of their last 11 meetings between the two clubs in all competitions.

Watford had a chance inside the opening 90 seconds when a Don Cowie free-kick from 30 yards out hit the bar and then Heidar Helguson’s close-range header was blocked by a defender.

But the home crowd didn’t have to wait long for the opener as Watford scored for the first time in more than four-and-a-half hours.

A free-kick was awarded in the almost identical spot from where Cowie’s was taken and Lansbury whipped in the ball with pace and it missed everyone as it bounced into the top corner.

Ipswich’s first chance came on 13 minutes as a Colback corner was headed wide by the returning Grant Leadbitter, who had missed the previous two games through suspension.

The home fans’ spirits were lifted further when Lloyd Doyley beat his man wide left and sent in a cross with his weaker foot but Helguson’s header struck the far post and rebounded wide.

Watford were on top in the opening period and had two more chances in quick succession.

First, Helguson had a half volley from 25 yards saved by Brian Murphy and then minutes later Hoskins pulled the ball out of the air inside the 18-yard box and forced the keeper into another save from a tight angle.

The visitors had an opportunity within 20 seconds off the restart when Wickham broke free into the right side of the area and squared across the six-yard box but Colback could only scuff his attempt wide at the far post.

The temperature was further increased in the 50th minute when John Eustace caught an opponent with a late challenge. He was immediately surrounded by around half-a-dozen incensed Ipswich players, including Jon Walters, who grabbed Helguson round the neck and pulled him away. However, the end result was that Eustace escaped with a yellow card and, strangely, referee Graham Salisbury decided no other players needed punishing.

But the Hornets went close to scoring again in the 65th minute when Tom Cleverley worked a short corner routine with Cowie before opening up the angle and striking a fine right-footed curling shot that looked to be destined for the far corner before it was cleared from in front of Brian Murphy.

However, Ipswich were soon back on the attack, winning a corner which Wickham flicked on at the near post, forcing Loach to tip over. But the visitors made no mistake from the resultant set piece.

This time the corner was worked short, Shane O’Connor had plenty of time to deliver the ball towards the far post and, although Loach again did well to save the initial effort, he was helpless as Colback slammed home the rebound to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.

Mackay’s response to the equaliser was to bring on Graham for Helguson four minutes later and four minutes after that the change, with a degree of good fortune, paid off.

Cleverley lifted the ball into the area from the right, the ball struck Graham and fell for Hoskins to swivel and strike a low right-footed shot to put the Hornets back in front.

However, the goal scorer immediately went down suffering with cramp and, although he tried to run it off, he had to be replaced by Ross Jenkins on 80 minutes. Before that though, Roy Keane had made a double change, with Pablo Counago and David Healy coming on for O’Connor and Daryl Murphy.

Jon Harley then replaced Lansbury for the last five minutes of normal time, but the substitute and his team-mates were able to safely negotiate what turned out to be ten more minutes of play to celebrate the end of a disappointing run.

Watford: Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit, Taylor, Doyley; Cowie, Eustace, Lansbury (Harley, 85), Cleverley; Hoskins (Jenkins, 80), Helguson (Graham, 72). Not used: McGinn, Lee, Buckley and Hodson.

Ipswich Town; B Murphy; Rosenior, Delaney, McAuley, O'Connor (Healy, 76); Walters, Leadbitter, Garvan (Martin, 23), Colback; D Murphy (Counago, 76), Wickham. Not used: Norris, Edwards, Lee-Barrett and Smith.

Bookings: Eustace for a foul after 50 mins.

Attendance: 13,996.

Referee: Graham Salisbury.

Comments(70)

dogwfc says...
9:57pm Tue 16 Mar 10

Get the f4ck in!!!!!!!!