A trip to holders Leicester City awaits Watford in the FA Cup third round this weekend, with the Golden Boys hoping to create more memories in the world’s oldest national football contest.
This stage of the competition has produced countless entertaining matches for the Hornets over the years, with these five notable highlights…
Watford 5-0 Sheffield United - January 5, 1985
Having reached the final the season prior, Watford went into the 1984/85 FA Cup in a similar vein of form, with Luther Blissett the star of the show at Vicarage Road. Watford’s all-time top goalscorer netted four against Sheffield United that afternoon as Graham Taylor’s side eased past the Blades. They would go on to be defeated in the fifth round of the competition, but were victorious against Grimsby Town two weeks later in round four.
Watford 4-2 Bradford City - January 7, 2012
Craig Forsyth grabbed an unlikely brace against Bradford City in 2012 at The Vic, scoring twice in three minutes. The Hornets went ahead almost immediately, with Troy Deeney opening proceedings by heading past Jon McLaughlin. Clinical goalscorer Marvin Sordell helped the Hornets re-take the lead after Jamie Hanson equalised, and Forsyth’s double put the game beyond doubt by the hour mark. Nahki Wells reduced the deficit late on but Watford, with 18-year-old Jonathan Bond making his debut, looked professional and comfortable against the Bantams.
Watford 5-0 Reading - January 6, 1971
Another 5-0 victory saw the Hornets progress to the fourth round at the expense of Reading in 1971. A foggy winter’s afternoon made it a less enjoyable experience for supporters than would be expected, but the players made sure to do their job on the pitch despite the conditions. Barry Endean scored a hat-trick against the Royals that day, his last goals for the club, though the Golden Boys were ultimately eliminated in the next round by Oxford United.
Watford 1-0 Newcastle United - January 9, 2016
One of three wins over Newcastle in the 2015/16 season, and the first of two that month, Watford kicked off an FA Cup run at home to the Magpies. Solid defensive work and a mistake capitalised on by Troy Deeney sent the Hornets through, with the visitors’ mishap in possession sending the former Watford captain through on goal to convert. Future Hornet Daryl Janmaat had Newcastle’s best chance of the game and current Watford players Moussa Sissoko and Rob Elliot also featured. The Golden Boys reached the semi-finals in 2016, losing out to Crystal Palace at Wembley, but picked up memorable wins over the likes of Leeds United, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest during their impressive run.
Watford 4-3 Luton Town - January 10, 1984
A tie certainly not devoid of drama, the two rivals collided in third-round action in 1984, the campaign where Watford would eventually reach the final. A 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road prompted a Vicarage Road replay, and the Hornets started the game in control. Nigel Callaghan scored the first, and George Reilly followed up with a second minutes later. Luton’s Mal Donaghy made it 2-1 before John Barnes’ individual skill doubled the lead. Paul Walsh’s brace took the game to extra-time however at 3-3, prompting Mo Johnston to score the winner and send the Hornets through after over 200 minutes of third-round action.
