Watford 0 Brighton 1 29.1.11
Brighton clashed with Watford in the 4th round of the FA Cup, as the Horns looked to put the defeat against Cardiff that ended the club’s best unbeaten run in a long time behind them.
The Seagulls, currently atop League One, play a vibrant brand of passing football and looked to impose themselves early in the game, playing keep ball and forcing Watford to chase and harry with little reward.
Talking of rewards, Brighton got theirs, and ultimately the winner, from a pot shot 20 yards from goal that stand in keeper Rene Gilmartin failed to hold onto, with the ball inconceivably spinning into the bottom corner. Think Rob Green and you’ve got it.
Brighton continued to dominate into the second half, but Watford began to make chances that had no cutting edge.
The main source of entertainment for Watford fans came as the power failed, turning out the floodlights, “Are we Scunthorpe in disguise?” was scant consolation for a below par performance.
The poor Troy Deeney was replaced at half time by Matt Wichelow, another youngster who continues to show promise. Deeney has had a tough time so far at Vicarage Road, struggling to get any playing time and as a result, goals. Indeed, his being played out of position on the wing is reminiscent of Steve Kabba who forced to play wide and was consistently frustrating for the home fans, for whom he never lived up to the hype associated with his purchase. The same must not be allowed to happen with Troy.
Gilmartin continued to have a torrid time in goal as the away side sought to enhance their score.
The score remained and the Golden Boys were dumped out of the cup by a better side who fought and passed, two things the Horns struggled to do throughout.
As the boos, directed at the match officials, rang out across the Vic, Danny Graham cut a forlorn figure as he trudged from the pitch into the dressing room which must now be picked up as we head into Tuesday’s league fixture against Crystal Palace.
Watford: poor, must do better to sustain a playoff push
Brighton: look certain to get promotion playing some great football
