Tuesday the 12th of August saw Watford make the small
journey across Hertfordshire to Face Stevenage FC in the Capital 1 Cup First
Round. Stevenage made one change from the opening day victory over Hartlepool
with Jerome Okimo coming in for former Captain Jon Ashton who dropped to the
bench, as for Watford they made 9
changes from their opening day victory over Bolton with only Tamas and Pudil
retaining their positions in the starting line up.
Just past the 10 minute mark and Stevenage came inches away
from breaking the deadlock. Charlie Lee ran onto a Darius Charles pass and hit
a screamer of a shot which rebounded off the far post and behind with the Stevenage
fans on the Edge of their seats.
Minutes after Watford themselves came close after a well
worked free kick which left Lloyd Dyer unmarked in space after catching out the
Stevenage defence and beating Boro Keeper Sam Beasant to the ball only for his
diving header to end up just wide of the post in a first half which was end to
end with Stevenage pushing forward in numbers and Watford trying their very
best to catch their Hertfordshire neighbours out on the Counter attack.
Stevenage began the second half as they’d finished the
first, pushing forward and creating chances in the aim of getting that all
important goal of the game but unfortunately for the hosts it was the visitors
who took the lead in the 51st minute when ‘The Hornets’ pushed forward and a
through ball found Forreisteri who squared to Fabbrini who unselfishly squared
to Dyer to slot home past Boro Keeper Sam Beasant to give the Hornets the lead.
In the 64th Minute Stevenage thought that they had equalised
after a Bira Dembele low cross was met by the Head of striker Darius Charles
whose header was somehow saved by Watford keeper Jonathan Bond as The Boro
pushed for an equaliser when everyone in the ground thought it was a certain
goal.
Stevenage continued to push for the equaliser right up until
the final minute of the game but was thwarted by the experience in their
championship opponent’s side.
In the Final Minutes of Stoppage time Stevenage won a corner
and up came goalkeeper Sam Beasant who out jumped everyone and just headed wide
of the post and Watford Progress through to the second round although Stevenage
can be very proud of their performance against a very strong Watford side who
will be very pleased that they have got through a difficult game against their
Hertfordshire Rivals.
For the Boro now it’s A trip to the seaside to Face Southend
United as they look to bounce back from their defeat in the competition but
with such a small squad and players out injured still to come back it looks
extremely positive for the season and the coming weeks and months ahead.
Mike Harniman (Stevenage Fan)
