Blackpool 0-0 Watford

WATFORD CONTINUED their impressive start to a horrible December with a point and a clean sheet at Blackpool`s Bloomfield Road.

The Hornets were under the cosh for a good chunk of the game with Tresor Lomano Lua Lua and Matt Phillips in particular causing danger for the hosts.

Watford were robbed of the services of Carl Dickinson and Chris Iwelumo, both of whom were out due to illness. As a result, Lloyd Doyley came in at left-back and Joe Garner stepped up to the bench. Troy Deeney continued up front with Marvin Sordell whilst Prince Buaben was once more selected ahead of John Eustace.

Blackpool dropped Chris Basham, scorer of one of their goals at Southampton for Lua Lua.

The first-half was all Blackpool with Lua Lua at the centre of everything good for Ian Holloway`s side.

The hosts had a good chance after just six minutes when former Wycombe man Matt Phillips hit the base of the post with a low shot.

Just a minute later Gary Taylor-Fletcher threatened for the 'Pool when he sent a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

Lua Lua became the second 'Pool player to hit the post just before the half-hour mark with a shot from outside the 18 yard box.

Lua Lua nearly connected with a good centre from Callum McManaman, and also forced Scott Loach into a good save in a half dominate by the Tangerines.

Just seconds before the half-time whistle, Deeney saw a shot saved comfortably by home 'keeper Matt Gilks.

Half-time: 0-0

Taylor-Fletcher wasted the first good chance of the second half when he elected to back-heel wide rather than trapping and tapping home the ball from close-range.

Buaben then missed the Hornet`s best chance of the game when he met an inswinging Michael Kightly cross, guiding the ball over from three yards when one-on-one with Gilks.

Blackpool were then gifted a chance when Aidy Mariappa lost the ball to Phillips who was subsequently tackled superbly by Nyron Nosworthy for a corner.

Substitute Kevin Phillips then missed another excellent chance for the Tangerines when he headed over from just four yards after his namesake had sat a perfect cross up to the back post.

With just a handful of minutes remaining, Ian Evatt came close twice in the space of a few seconds with Loach holding at the second attempt.

Full-time: 0-0

Blackpool: Gilks; Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey; Ferguson, Sylvestre (Clarke), Taylor-Fletcher; McManaman (Basham), Lualua (K.Phillips) & M.Phillips.

Subs not used: Angel & Ince.

Watford: Loach; Hodson, Nosworthy, Mariappa (c), Doyley; Yeates (Eustace), Hogg, Buaben, Kightly; Sordell & Deeney.

Subs not used: Bond (gk), Mirfin, Beattie & Garner.

Attendance:11 652

Referee: Mr Haywood

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