Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 05/04/2008
Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 05/04/2008
Watford: Richard Lee, Lloyd Doyley (Jay Demerit 86), Mathew Sadler, Daniel Shittu, Leigh Bromby, Tommy Smith, John O'Toole, Gareth Williams, Lee Williamson, Jobi McAnuff (Jordan Stewart 82), Nathan Ellington (Adrian Mariappa 82), Steve Kabba
Subs not used: Collins John, Mart Poom
Booked: Daniel Shittu 82
Goals: Nathan Ellington 6, Tommy Smith 79
Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy (Michael Mifsud 45), Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray (Kevin Thornton 89), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Robbie Simpson (Zavon Hines 72), Leon Best
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall
Goals: Leon Best 59
Attendance: 17188
Referee: D Deadman
Teamtalk
Watford got their Championship promotion push back on track as goals from Nathan Ellington and Tommy Smith gave them a 2-1 win over Coventry.
Ellington had the Hornets in front after just six minutes when he fired in from inside the box, but Leon Best headed Coventry level just before the hour mark.
Coventry had looked likely to grab a winner, but a defensive mistake from former Watford man Stephen Hughes allowed Smith to score 11 minutes from time and give Watford their first win in nine games.
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd made two changes from the side which lost at Hull last weekend with John-Joe O'Toole coming into midfield in place of Al Bangura and Lloyd Doyley replacing Jay DeMerit in defence.
Chris Coleman also made two changes to his Coventry side as Best returned up front at the expense of Michael Mifsud and Isaac Osbourne replaced Jay Tabb.
Watford looked eager to get an early goal and they did just that in the sixth minute when Ellington picked the ball up 30 yards out and was allowed to go into the box unchallenged before driving the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.
The home side immediately went in search of a second and O'Toole fired over from 20 yards before Ellington's ambitious long-range effort flew wide.
Coventry gradually began to get into the game and Best sent a left-foot strike from the edge of the area just wide of Richard Lee's goal.
However, Watford continued to look dangerous and Lee Williamson crossed for Smith who dragged his shot wide.
Minutes later Williamson drove a free-kick into the wall, but Coventry held on to prevent Watford doubling their lead before the break.
Coleman signalled his side's intentions for the second half as he brought Mifsud on for defender Richard Duffy in a bid to get back into the game.
The introduction of Mifsud unsettled Watford and they were struggling to cope with the Maltese striker's running.
With 59 minutes gone he laid the ball off to Julian Gray on the left and he dinked in a superb cross right into the path of Best who headed past Lee from close range.
Watford reacted well and should have been in front minutes later when Jobi McAnuff's corner from the left found Danny Shittu, but he headed wide.
On-loan West Ham striker Zavon Hines came on for Coventry and they looked the more likely to grab the winner as the Vicarage Road crowd became more restless.
However, with 11 minutes remaining Lee's long kick was misjudged by Hughes who allowed the ball to bounce over his head and into the path of Smith who slipped the ball through Schmeichel's legs to restore Watford's lead.
The goal was harsh on Coventry who were almost level soon after when Daniel Fox's corner was cleared into the path of Mifsud who sent a curling shot from 30 yards narrowly wide.
Hines drove a long-range effort over the bar late on, but Watford held on to move within a point of the automatic promotion places.
CCFC
A 79th minute goal shattered Coventry City's hopes of a point as Watford won 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Leon Best had cancelled out Nathan Ellington's opener, but Tommy Smith's strike took all three points for the home side.
Chris Coleman made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
Star midfielder Jay Tabb has a virus, so Isaac Osbourne came into midfield. Leon Best returned from suspension and was preferred up front to Michael Mifsud, who had to be content with a place on the bench.
It was the worst possible start for the Sky Blues when on seven minutes, Tommy Smith played the ball through to Ellington on the edge of the box. The former West Brom and Bristol City Rovers man made no mistake as he placed his shot into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of Schmeichel to make it 1-0.
Osbourne shot straight into the hands of Lee from a free kick, before at the other end, Smith shot over as Watford tried to threaten.
The Hornets were certainly controlling the opening stages of the game and John-Joe O'Toole forced an excellent save from Schmeichel with a rasping shot, before Smith followed up with a cross to the far post, only for Richard Duffy to clear the danger.
At the other end, chances were few and far between although the Sky Blues did create something with 26 on the clock, when Fox's long ball skimmed off the head of Simpson and out for a goal kick.
Best did try and keep up the momentum however, when his firm grass-skimmer from 22-yards was held by Lee.
Smith stabbed it wide on 33 minutes, but it was destined to be the final real opportunity of the half.
Coleman opted to make a substitution at half-time, with Mifsud replacing Richard Duffy. It meant that Osbourne moved to the right-back position, with the Maltese international slotting in on the right side of midfield.
The forward was an instant danger, giving the Hornets defence plenty to think about as he went forward.
But it was actually down the other side of the pitch where Coleman's men had more input and when Gray crossed in from the far left with 59 on the clock, Best made no mistake as he headed it past the keeper from close range to make it 1-1.
The manager elected to make his second attacking substitution of the game on 71 minutes when Zavon Hines replaced Simpson up front.
But it was Aidy Boothroyd's men who would have the impact up front, with Ellington's flick on from a long ball finding Smith on 79 minutes, who kept his cool to finish past Schmeichel and make it 2-1.
Mifsud shot over as the Sky Blues tried to get back onto level terms.
4thegame
Watford are back in the heart of the genuine five-horse race for automatic promotion, while Coventry City are still looking nervously over their shoulders at the other end of the table, after Tommy Smith's goal ten minutes from time lifted the Hornets back within two points of top spot.
It looked like Aidy Boothroyd's men, without a win in their last eight, would have to settle for another draw after Leon Best cancelled out Nathan Ellington's early opener. But Smith kept his head to capitalise on a defensive lapse to hand Watford only a third home league win since mid-October.
The home side got off to the perfect start in the seventh minute, and it was a moment of some satisfaction for Ellington, who had gone almost two months without a goal.
Smith won a second ball towards the right side of the Coventry area and played it inside to the Hornets' record signing, who, after one touch, took aim and fired a left-footed daisy-cutter inside Kasper Schmeichel's near post from 20 yards.
Boosted by making the breakthrough, the Hornets looked the most likely of the sides to add to the scoring in the first half, and Schmeichel did well to parry a John-Joe O'Toole thunderbolt from 20 yards before Smith fired a great opportunity wide after some neat interplay between Ellington and Lee Williamson.
In between times, the Sky Blues created their only decent opening of the first period when Robbie Simpson glanced a Stephen Hughes free-kick narrowly wide.
The consistent failure to retain possession was a feature of Watford's play throughout though, and it was from one such breakdown in play that enabled the visitors to get back on terms in the 59th minute.
Michael Doyle had time to pick out Julian Gray on the left and he sent over a fine, deep cross which Best rose well to head home the equaliser.
But with ten minutes remaining it was a Coventry lapse that gave the home side the chance to claim a vital three points - and they took it.
A long Richard Lee clearance was flicked on by Ellington, but Scott Dann misjudged the bounce of the ball and could only help it into the path of Smith, and he kept his head to lift it over the advancing Schmeichel.
Defeat was a shade harsh on Coventry, but while their opponents can realistically dream of an instant return to the top-flight, Chris Coleman's men still have very real concerns at the other end of the table.
Watford: Richard Lee, Lloyd Doyley (Jay Demerit 86), Mathew Sadler, Daniel Shittu, Leigh Bromby, Tommy Smith, John O'Toole, Gareth Williams, Lee Williamson, Jobi McAnuff (Jordan Stewart 82), Nathan Ellington (Adrian Mariappa 82), Steve Kabba
Subs not used: Collins John, Mart Poom
Booked: Daniel Shittu 82
Goals: Nathan Ellington 6, Tommy Smith 79
Coventry City: Kasper Schmeichel, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy (Michael Mifsud 45), Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray (Kevin Thornton 89), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Robbie Simpson (Zavon Hines 72), Leon Best
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall
Goals: Leon Best 59
Attendance: 17188
Referee: D Deadman
Teamtalk
Watford got their Championship promotion push back on track as goals from Nathan Ellington and Tommy Smith gave them a 2-1 win over Coventry.
Ellington had the Hornets in front after just six minutes when he fired in from inside the box, but Leon Best headed Coventry level just before the hour mark.
Coventry had looked likely to grab a winner, but a defensive mistake from former Watford man Stephen Hughes allowed Smith to score 11 minutes from time and give Watford their first win in nine games.
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd made two changes from the side which lost at Hull last weekend with John-Joe O'Toole coming into midfield in place of Al Bangura and Lloyd Doyley replacing Jay DeMerit in defence.
Chris Coleman also made two changes to his Coventry side as Best returned up front at the expense of Michael Mifsud and Isaac Osbourne replaced Jay Tabb.
Watford looked eager to get an early goal and they did just that in the sixth minute when Ellington picked the ball up 30 yards out and was allowed to go into the box unchallenged before driving the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.
The home side immediately went in search of a second and O'Toole fired over from 20 yards before Ellington's ambitious long-range effort flew wide.
Coventry gradually began to get into the game and Best sent a left-foot strike from the edge of the area just wide of Richard Lee's goal.
However, Watford continued to look dangerous and Lee Williamson crossed for Smith who dragged his shot wide.
Minutes later Williamson drove a free-kick into the wall, but Coventry held on to prevent Watford doubling their lead before the break.
Coleman signalled his side's intentions for the second half as he brought Mifsud on for defender Richard Duffy in a bid to get back into the game.
The introduction of Mifsud unsettled Watford and they were struggling to cope with the Maltese striker's running.
With 59 minutes gone he laid the ball off to Julian Gray on the left and he dinked in a superb cross right into the path of Best who headed past Lee from close range.
Watford reacted well and should have been in front minutes later when Jobi McAnuff's corner from the left found Danny Shittu, but he headed wide.
On-loan West Ham striker Zavon Hines came on for Coventry and they looked the more likely to grab the winner as the Vicarage Road crowd became more restless.
However, with 11 minutes remaining Lee's long kick was misjudged by Hughes who allowed the ball to bounce over his head and into the path of Smith who slipped the ball through Schmeichel's legs to restore Watford's lead.
The goal was harsh on Coventry who were almost level soon after when Daniel Fox's corner was cleared into the path of Mifsud who sent a curling shot from 30 yards narrowly wide.
Hines drove a long-range effort over the bar late on, but Watford held on to move within a point of the automatic promotion places.
CCFC
A 79th minute goal shattered Coventry City's hopes of a point as Watford won 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Leon Best had cancelled out Nathan Ellington's opener, but Tommy Smith's strike took all three points for the home side.
Chris Coleman made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
Star midfielder Jay Tabb has a virus, so Isaac Osbourne came into midfield. Leon Best returned from suspension and was preferred up front to Michael Mifsud, who had to be content with a place on the bench.
It was the worst possible start for the Sky Blues when on seven minutes, Tommy Smith played the ball through to Ellington on the edge of the box. The former West Brom and Bristol City Rovers man made no mistake as he placed his shot into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of Schmeichel to make it 1-0.
Osbourne shot straight into the hands of Lee from a free kick, before at the other end, Smith shot over as Watford tried to threaten.
The Hornets were certainly controlling the opening stages of the game and John-Joe O'Toole forced an excellent save from Schmeichel with a rasping shot, before Smith followed up with a cross to the far post, only for Richard Duffy to clear the danger.
At the other end, chances were few and far between although the Sky Blues did create something with 26 on the clock, when Fox's long ball skimmed off the head of Simpson and out for a goal kick.
Best did try and keep up the momentum however, when his firm grass-skimmer from 22-yards was held by Lee.
Smith stabbed it wide on 33 minutes, but it was destined to be the final real opportunity of the half.
Coleman opted to make a substitution at half-time, with Mifsud replacing Richard Duffy. It meant that Osbourne moved to the right-back position, with the Maltese international slotting in on the right side of midfield.
The forward was an instant danger, giving the Hornets defence plenty to think about as he went forward.
But it was actually down the other side of the pitch where Coleman's men had more input and when Gray crossed in from the far left with 59 on the clock, Best made no mistake as he headed it past the keeper from close range to make it 1-1.
The manager elected to make his second attacking substitution of the game on 71 minutes when Zavon Hines replaced Simpson up front.
But it was Aidy Boothroyd's men who would have the impact up front, with Ellington's flick on from a long ball finding Smith on 79 minutes, who kept his cool to finish past Schmeichel and make it 2-1.
Mifsud shot over as the Sky Blues tried to get back onto level terms.
4thegame
Watford are back in the heart of the genuine five-horse race for automatic promotion, while Coventry City are still looking nervously over their shoulders at the other end of the table, after Tommy Smith's goal ten minutes from time lifted the Hornets back within two points of top spot.
It looked like Aidy Boothroyd's men, without a win in their last eight, would have to settle for another draw after Leon Best cancelled out Nathan Ellington's early opener. But Smith kept his head to capitalise on a defensive lapse to hand Watford only a third home league win since mid-October.
The home side got off to the perfect start in the seventh minute, and it was a moment of some satisfaction for Ellington, who had gone almost two months without a goal.
Smith won a second ball towards the right side of the Coventry area and played it inside to the Hornets' record signing, who, after one touch, took aim and fired a left-footed daisy-cutter inside Kasper Schmeichel's near post from 20 yards.
Boosted by making the breakthrough, the Hornets looked the most likely of the sides to add to the scoring in the first half, and Schmeichel did well to parry a John-Joe O'Toole thunderbolt from 20 yards before Smith fired a great opportunity wide after some neat interplay between Ellington and Lee Williamson.
In between times, the Sky Blues created their only decent opening of the first period when Robbie Simpson glanced a Stephen Hughes free-kick narrowly wide.
The consistent failure to retain possession was a feature of Watford's play throughout though, and it was from one such breakdown in play that enabled the visitors to get back on terms in the 59th minute.
Michael Doyle had time to pick out Julian Gray on the left and he sent over a fine, deep cross which Best rose well to head home the equaliser.
But with ten minutes remaining it was a Coventry lapse that gave the home side the chance to claim a vital three points - and they took it.
A long Richard Lee clearance was flicked on by Ellington, but Scott Dann misjudged the bounce of the ball and could only help it into the path of Smith, and he kept his head to lift it over the advancing Schmeichel.
Defeat was a shade harsh on Coventry, but while their opponents can realistically dream of an instant return to the top-flight, Chris Coleman's men still have very real concerns at the other end of the table.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:39 pm
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