Hornets Stung At Home To Blackpool

A MISTAKE from Jonathan Bond and a poor refereeing display saw Watford come away empty handed from their clash against Blackpool at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Watford made four changes from Tuesday's victory against Sheffield Wednesday with Lloyd Doyley, Matthew Briggs (debut), Mark Yeates and Fernando Forestieri coming in for Marco Cassetti, Joel Ekstrand, Almen Abdi and Matej Vydra.

Watford started the game well and dominated possession. Jonathan Hogg went close when he headed wide from inside the area after a good cross from Ikechi Anya. Forestieri also went close from the edge of the box after Blackpool had gifted Watford possession.

That was to be a continuing trend for the Seasiders as Watford took the lead from Cristian Battocchio after 27 minutes. Neal Eardley stumbled on the ball 30 yards out and was dispossessed by Troy Deeney. He fed Battocchio who ran through and clipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

Watford were denied the chance to make it two when referee Andrew Madley refused to point to the spot after Troy Deeney was hauled down in the box.

Blackpool offered little but did burst into life towards the end of the half with Bond making a fine save to deny a Matt Derbyshire header.

Half-time: 1-0

Watford started the second half well, keeping possession but created few opportunities to put the game to bed. They did create one good chance on the hour when Anya's cross was flicked on by Deeney but Briggs put his header wide of the post.

As Watford sat back, Blackpool started imposing themselves more on the game and were rewarded with an equaliser after 75 minutes.

Good build up play saw an overlap develop on Blackpool's left and Stephen Crainey exploited it before crossing for Tom Ince to finish at the near post.

Blackpool then stunned Vicarage Road by scoring again with two minutes remaining through Gary MacKenzie. Bond failed to deal with a corner dropping the ball in the six yard box and MacKenzie poked the ball in after a goalmouth scramble.

That was not the end of the drama however, as referee Madley ensured he would make the headlines when he denied the Hornets another clear penalty when Doyley was tripped in the box in stoppage time.

However, the Hornets succumbed to their first defeat since January, a result which can be put right next week when they travel to Barnsley.

Full-time: 1-2

Watford: Bond; Doyley (c), Nosworthy, Briggs; Anya (Geijo), Hogg, Yeates, Battocchio, Pudil (Ekstrand); Forestieri (Vydra) & Deeney.

Subs Not Used: Bonham (GK), Cassetti, Murray & Mujangi Bia.

Blackpool: Gilks; Baptiste, Eardley (Sylvestre), MacKenzie, Crainey; Angel (Futacs), Ferguson, Broadfoot; Phillips, Ince & Derbyshire (Delfouneso).

Subs Not Used: Halstead (GK), Cathcart, Grandin & Caton.

b>Referee: Mr Andrew Madley (Not to be confused with his refereeing brother Robert, who in fairness is an equally diabolical official!)

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