Hornets Come Back To Take A Point

Watford mounted a spirited comeback on a frustrating evening at Vicarage Road to take a point against relegation candidates Preston North End.

The Hornets got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a goal in the first minute. Keith Treacy played a corner out to Barry Nicholson who volleyed into the box and Sean St Ledger popped up umarked to head into the bottom corner.

Watford struggled to get going on a difficult pitch but should have levelled when Danny Graham turned a defender to put himself in the clear but fired his shot straight at Iain Turner.

Preston doubled their lead before half time with a goal Watford will be very dissapointed with. John Eustace gave the ball away in midfield and Keith Treacy ghosted past Stephen McGinn and Lee Hodson to cross for an unmarked Leon Clarke to slot home.

Half Time

Second Half

Watford made a double change for the second half with Adam Thompson and Matt Whichelow replacing Lloyd Doyley and Danny Drinkwater.

The Hornets made a brighter start to the second half and nearly pulled one back when Martin Taylor chested the ball down at the back post but St Ledger managed to get a block in. From the resulting corner John Eustace had a goal bound effort also blocked by St Ledger.

Watford did pull one back when lively substitute Matt Whichelow combined with Stephen McGinn before firing into the bottom corner from the corner angle of the penalty area.

As Watford pushed on Preston looked dangerous on the break and nearly restored their two goal lead when substitute Darel Russell rattled the post with a thunderous 25-yard effort.

Watford did equalise when Martin Taylor’s long ball into the box was flicked on by Danny Graham and Andrew Thompson found himself free at the back post to poke under the onrushing Turner.

Watford neraly went on to win it in the last 10 minutes when Graham flicked a long ball on to Marvin Sordell whose snap shot was well held up Turner. And Turner had to be at his best again when Don Cowie’s overhit free kick nearly snuck in at the back post.

Watford – Loach, Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley (Thompson), Dinkwater (Whichelow), Eustace (Sordell), McGinn, Cowie, Graham, Weimann

Preston – Turner, Gray, Cort, St Ledger, Jones, Nicholson, Ashbee, Barton (Mayor), Treacy (Russell), Clarke, Johnson (Proctor)