Pre-match preamble
A brief history of Watford FC: The origins of our opponent's conception can be traced back to 1881 when Watford Rovers were formed by Henry Grover, who played as a full back. In 1893 Watford Rovers changed their name to "West Herts" and when fortunes slumped in 1897 with less than 200 supporters on board, they amalgamated with Watford St Mary's team to morph into the Watford Football Club of today.
They seem to change their managers with great regularity – Watford have had 22 different managers since the Pozzo family purchased the club in the summer of 2012.
Javi Gracia is the current head coach of Watford, having been reappointed on 8 October 2025. He replaced Paulo Pezzolano, who was sacked after only five months in the role. Gracia's previous spell at the club was from January 2018 to September 2019. (Source: Wikipedia)
Nicknames? The Hornets and The Golden Boys, because of their yellow and black kit colours since 1959. Other nicknames include Yellow Army (the fans) and allegedly, The Orns.
P.S. They have Elton John – we have Ed!
Ian on the train (who has been watching them since he was knee high to a grasshopper) predicted a 2-0 score for the Blues. He supports our Ladies, too – good man!
First half
Town came flying out of the blocks and put the pressure on from the beginning. Cajuste was the first to strike and went very close with a shot that squeaked just wide of the post. They continued to be very much in command for the first 15 minutes with the ball rarely leaving their half.
Therefore, it was disappointingly against the run of play that Watford took the lead in the sixteenth minute when Bola's cross from the left was tapped easily home by an unmarked Louza (an unfortunate name in sport I would say… think about it!)
Town reacted well and kept pressing forward and within five minutes had levelled the score with a brilliant Kipre through ball to Jaden being angled strongly across the goalkeeper and into the right-hand corner of the net.
Watford had another decent chance when Ince struck hard from a corner but his strike was blocked by the defenders.
This half continued in much the same way, with Town having most of the possession, but with no serious threats on goal, partly due perhaps to being brought down by the opposition whenever they broke away from a marker, making the crowd howl in protest.
Second half
Town were still in charge at the beginning of this half but with few clear opportunities. It was Doumbia who was next to go close on 60 minutes when he picked up a ball from the right, then closed in, to send his shot just over the bar.
Then Akpom did well to get inside the area but Selvik made a good save to deny him a potentially match-winning goal.
Town slowed the momentum again with a frustrating 'holding at the back' spell and Walton was lucky not to get caught on a couple of occasions.
The pressure picked up when Taylor, Clarke and Azon were introduced in the 64th minute, with Clarke and Azon combining well, though the latter had a shot easily saved by Watford's goalkeeper.
Moments later Town had a golden opportunity to go in front when Walle Egeli powered down on the right and crossed in for Azon, but his close-in header went just wide of the target. There were two more last-minute chances when a link-up between Clarke and Greaves fell for Taylor just inside the box, his powerful kick sailing up and over the crossbar, followed by a pinpoint cross from Clarke sent goalwards by Azon, but saved by Selvik.
After a couple of worrying corners for Watford in extra time, the match finally came to an end with no further score.
Ipswich Town 1-1 Watford
Men of the match
Kipre and Matusiwa played strongly, and Walton made two or three crucial saves.
Man of the match: The stand-out for me was Sindre Walle Egeli in all parts of the pitch. He defended and provided in equal part and has mastered the art of sending wonderful crosses into the box. He is definitely settling in and taking his place in the team now, and I think will only get better with experience. Very impressive.
Post-match pondering
Around ten minutes into the second half, there was a brief handbags at dawn episode between Philogene and Matusiwa. I obviously have no idea what lay behind it but I'm sure it will be swiftly resolved back in the dressing room when emotions are not running so high.
It was comforting to see that when Town went a goal behind the players didn't let their heads drop, didn't crumble, or take their eyes off the ball as in the recent Charlton game. They immediately picked up the pace and struck back with alacrity. They do, however, need to concentrate, take a sharp breath, when in front of goal. It still sometimes feels like an element of panic sets in, to stop their accuracy, when presented with an iron-clad chance.
It was an exciting game with plenty to be optimistic about. The only thing that really spoiled it for me were the dirty tricks employed by the Hornets which largely went unpunished. Baah was lucky not to have picked up a red card for a second yellow, and pushing, holding, tripping and time wasting were largely ignored. There is an argument for this being a way of 'letting the game flow', but Watford certainly exploited it to the full.
I would have been cross if we had lost this game as I felt it was there for us to win – but like the hum of the majority talk, coming away from the ground, I too was okay with a point. Watford are one of the teams who have been playing strongly in the last few games, beating second-placed Middlesbrough 3-0 at the weekend. No one seemed particularly perturbed about the result and there was more of a contented buzz around, so we move on and hope for a three-pointer away to Swansea on Saturday.
On the train
Talk turned to the new Beaulieu Park station when, according to the tannoy, it doesn't yet exist on their technical audio in-carriage system. I wonder if it is a truly beautiful place?
Discussed the match and the weather with Richard – he's an ex-meteorological assistant, interesting stuff. He had thought the match was boring, due to lack of goals, so we agreed to disagree and talked about isobars instead.
Let's hope they stay closely spaced, unlike those of Jamaica.
