Watford FC
User tools SmallNormal Text SizeLargePrintBookmark the SiteEmail this Page

WEALDSTONE 0 WATFORD 3

Posted on: Mon 20 Jul 2009

WATFORD'S second pre-season game handed the Hornets a second consecutive win this month as Danny Graham, Tamas Priskin and Nathan Ellington all found the back of the net.

The Golden Boys looked strong and together during the first half, fielding an experienced side teamed with new signing Jure Travner and French trialist Claudio Beauvue.

The first onslaught for Watford came as Jon Harley stormed down the left, linked up with Danny Graham for the first challenge on the Wealdstone goalkeeper.

With 6 minutes on the clock, new face Claudio Beauvue's corner floated into the area but he was unlucky as the ball was cleared by Wealdstone's defence.

A few minutes later during a strong run from Priskin at goal the Hungarian was brought down in the box in what should have been a penalty for the Hornets.

The pressure continued from Watford as the tall figure of Mike Williamson floated a ball through the field, picking up Jon Harley whose header was flicked to Danny Graham on the left of the penalty area but the shot squeezed inches wide of the target.

Watford's first goal came on the 18 minute mark as Beauvue passed to Priskin whose header was initially saved by Woods in the Wealdstone goal, but the 'keeper failed to clear the ball successfully and Danny Graham was on the end of it as he netted his third goal for the Hornets.

Danny Graham
Danny Graham continues on his scoring run at Wealdstone

Wealdstone stepped up the pressure as their corner taken by Danny Spendlove was only just tipped over the bar by 'Orns goalkeeper Richard Lee and the ball was put out for another corner on the opposite side. Minutes later, this was replicated as ex-Watford scholar Kieran Forbes' corner effort was tweaked over the bar by the Watford goalie once more.

As the game moved towards the 30 minute mark, new signing Jure Travner dinked the ball past two Wealdstone players and took a shot at goal but Luke Woods had it covered.

Minutes later a header from Wealdstone's number 10 was only narrowly shot over the bar for the non-league outfit as Lee was kept busy by the Wealdstone forwards.

Travner seemed to be fitting into the Watford set up very well, making himself useful down the left side of the pitch and contributing as a solid and resilient defender to the back four.

Beauvue steamed down the right on 34 minutes and chipped the ball to Priskin but he miss judged the pass and the ball was cleared by the Wealdstone defence.

Just approaching 36 minutes, trialist Beauvue passed beautifully to Doyley who was waiting on the wide right and his great cross found Harley in the middle of the box who was being pulled back by two Wealdstone defenders. Harley's cross went wide as a consequence but the Hornets were awarded a penalty.

With Tommy Smith absent while recovering from a shin injury, Tamas Priskin stepped up to the spot and blasted the ball home to make it 2-0 to the Championship side.

Five minutes later Mariappa passed to Graham who found space with Priskin. The Hungarian blasted a shot towards goal but was denied a second goal by the right post.

Tamas Priskin
Priskin is brought down by Wealdstone

Moments later Mariappa sprung from nowhere as a Watford corner was floated into the box and the Academy graduate was only stopped finding the back of the net by the hands of Woods.

Ex-Aberdeen skipper Scott Severin got involved in the action as he tried to chip the ball into the net over the 'keeper, but Woods worked hard again to keep the score at 2-0.

French trialist Claudio Beauvue made quite an impression during the game with some neat passes and well-directed set pieces.

Half-time saw two changed for the Hornets with Jure Travner being replaced by Michael Bryan and Lloyd Doyley coming off for Lee Hodson.

Minutes into the second half, Wealdstone's number 9 took a strong shot on goal, which Lee managed to get a glove to in order to tip the shot over the bar.

Lee Hodson took a good tackle and won the ball which was picked up by Jon Harley and lobbed to Frenchman Beauvue who was then brought down on the edge of the penalty area.

The trialist took the freekick but there was no one to get onto the end of the shot.

Michael Bryan showed off his skills as he danced past the Wealdstone midfield and Tamas Priskin provided the pressure in the box and Watford enjoyed procession in the space of the field.

Right back Hodson provided great cover in the Watford half as he proved his place in the team through some solid play and neat tackles.

On 55 minutes Danny Graham made a great run, causing problems for Luke Woods in the Wealdstone goal. He skipped over the 'keeper but the striker could only watch as the ball trickled centimetres wide of the goal.

This was to be the former Carlisle man's last onslaught on goal as the 60 minute mark approached; the striker was replaced by ex-Wealdstone loanee Liam Henderson who got a warm welcome from the home crowd. Tamas Priskin was also replaced, as Nathan Ellington entered the pitch.

Boss Malky Mackay continued to ring the changes in his squad as Rob Kiernan replaced Scott Severin, Eddie Oshodi come onto the pitch for Mike Williamson and Kurtney Brooks took over from John Eustace.

Kurtney Brooks got straight into the action as he was called to make a fantastic off the line clearance for the Hornets.

Claudio Beauvue
French Trialist Claudio Beauvue jumps for the ball

Beauvue continued to be in the mix as he fired a couple of shots just off target.

Bryan again looked useful for the Hornets as he weaved through the Wealdstone defence with 33 minutes gone in the second half but couldn't finish the job.

Beauvue was clapped off the pitch as on 80 minutes the Frenchman was replaced by first year pro Marvin Sordell.

The pace of the game changed in the latter half of the second 45 as the Watford back four were being challenged more by the pushing Wealdstone attack.

As the clock ticked towards 84 minutes, Liam Henderson went flying onto the floor and Head of Medical Richard Collinge was called onto the pitch after a tackle from Henderson's former teammate Darren Locke.

On 86 minutes, Ellington made the Wealdstone stopper work as he made a double save against the Watford striker.

A minute later, Ellington continued his pursuit on goal as he stormed through the middle of the pitch and found the back of the net, thanks to a great header from Kiernan following a bad clearance from Luke Woods.

The game levelled off in the dying minutes as the Hornets sat back on their three goal lead and fended off the advances from the non-league outfit.

WEALDSTONE: Woods, McCoy, Jones (Locke 70), Gray, Massey, Quaye (Ashe 62), Forbes, O'Leary (During 70), Alexander (Lefeite 55,) Ngoyi (Osbourne 62), Spendlove (Lewis 81). Subs not used: Thomas (gk)

WATFORD: Lee; Doyley (Hodson 45), Mariappa, Williamson (Oshodi 71), Travner (Bryan 45); Beauvue (Sordell 80), Severin (Kiernan 75), Eustace (Brooks 75), Harley; Priskin (Ellington 60), Graham (Henderson 60). Subs not used: Irving (gk)

Advertisement
 News Archive
Display Stories From Week

Watford Business finder is sponsored by city-visitor.com

All materials on this website © Watford Football Club & FLPTV Ltd.

Photographs courtesy of Empics © Alan Cozzi & Watford FC ©

CEOP - Report Abuse

Part of the Club Player network

Company Details

All rights reserved save as per website Terms of Use. Privacy Statement. Subscription terms and conditions.

Accessibility.

For all advertising and sponsorship enquiries, please click here