Watford 2-0 West Ham

I had to rush to make this game and boy was it worth it. To cut a long a story short I had to come from Brighton University open day and as i eventually walked down vicarage road i could hear Z-Cars blearing out. In a moment of panic i powered walked down occupation road to the Rookery like a man possessed. Unbelievably i had left Hastings at 12:30 and arrived in my seat just as the visitors kicked off. One down side of my arrival was to see Watford were attacking the rookery end in the first half and I am a man (a sad one at that) who likes his traditions so this really disgruntled me!

The game started at a fast pace and West Ham came at us like I thought they might after an impressive win against struggling Chelsea. However there pressure didn't last long and after 10 minutes West Ham didn't have another strong period in the game. Soon after the 10th minute Watford nearly took the lead after  Ake's free header from a Ben Watson corner was brilliantly saved by the Hammers Goalkeeper Adrian. The follow up strike from Deeney was stopped on the line by Carroll with a mixture of head and hand to the outrage of the fans behind the goal including myself. We continued to put the pressure on and it was very similar to the Arsenal game where a goal would relieve all of the pressure on the team. After Ighalo forced Adrian into another save, I was concerned that a lack of first half goal would lead to a repeat of the unfortunate result in the last home match. Luckily Watford diminished all of my fears after a whipped in free kick was dealt with horrendously by Andy Carroll Ake pounced squaring across goal to Odion Ighalo who poked home to send the Rookery into raptures. You could feel the relief sweep around the vic as the half time whistle blew.

The second half could not have started any better. After a sweeping attack Anya was released on the wing and crossed for Ighalo and after yet another error in the West Ham defence Ighalo calmly placed  his shot into the top corner to double the hornets lead and take his tally to an impressive 7 goals.

Ighalo almost had a hat trick after he cut inside forcing Adrian into another save. It shouldn't be forgotten how key Troy Deeney was to the Nigerians success who constantly found his strike partner on numerous occasions and created the space for Ighalo to shoot. The Hammers were nearly given a route back into the match after the faultless to date Craig Cathcart gave a short pass back to Valencia who somehow struck the post instead of finding the net. Cathcart atoned for his error when he stopped Carroll scoring on the rebound. in truth the Englishmen had a game to forget as the Rookery made him aware with various chants in his direction.

Watford turned on the style playing nice one touch stuff and Capoue nutmegging various West Ham players. Following on from fantastic skill from Capoue the ball found Ighalo who looked to turn James Collins. The defender took his frustrations out on the star striker by absolutely leathering him. It was a poor tackle and Collins received a straight red.

The game came was then controlled by the hornets and the full time whistle blew with the hornets picking up back to back 2-0 wins against two tough games on paper.

MOTM- Ben Watson- once again he was absolutely everywhere and controlled the game alongside Capoue.
Atmosphere rating- 9/10- Best home atmosphere yet but the phone light thing needs to stop completely failed on this occasion. I think it needs to be left in the past!

Adam Rowe

District Cup Final

Cavendish edged out in district cup final

Cavendish were edged out 2-1 by Ashlyns School in the district cup final on Thursday afternoon. Despite a spirited effort late on the boys couldn’t manage to snatch a late goal against a resilient Ashlyns defence who held on to take the trophy.

The first half wasn’t the best half of the football for the team, as they didn’t manage to make an impression early on to perhaps eradicate any pre match nerves. Ashlyns created most of the early running and looked dangerous going forward but also didn’t make any clear-cut chances in the opening 10 minutes. However midway through the first half Cavendish keeper Hoskins made a fantastic save denying the Ashlyns striker. Cavendish had a great chance to take the lead though when they were awarded a penalty but the penalty was put wide and the score remained level. Cavendish keeper Hoskins made a brilliant save denying the Ashlyns striker who was allowed clean through on the goal. Eventually Ashlyns pressure told as they took the lead after a defensive mix up leaving a tap in the Ashlyns man. Cavendish had to respond well but again didn’t really trouble the Ashlyns defence and they went in behind at the break 1-0.

The second half was a completely different story as Cavendish finally started to apply some serious pressure on Ashlyns. The Ashlyns defence knew they were going to busy and showed some great organisation to keep the Cavendish pressure down to only a few half chances. Then the chance Cavendish wanted another penalty was awarded. The decision was controversial as it looked like a fair challenge despite the Cavendish striker going down in the area. However Cavendish missed again after a stop from the Ashlyns keeper, which kept them infront. Against the run of play Ashlyns scored again on one the rare attacks they had in the second half. This left Cavendish with it all to do. Everyone was thrown forwards in hope of a goal that would help pave a way back in to the match for Cavendish. Eventually the goal came after a good corner was headed in by Osborne to make it a nervy final few moments for Ashlyns. The equaliser nearly came very late on when the ball bounced around the area and a shot came in which the goalkeeper blocked at his near post. The Ashlyns defence scrambled it clear and the referee blew his whistle, which meant Cavendish missed out on the District cup.

Ashlyns were worthy winners they showed good organisation to stop Cavendish in the second half and were the better side by far in the first half. Cavendish were spirited in defeat and gave a good effort in the second half and created the chances to maybe take the game to extra time.

MOTM- Tyler Osborne – Well he scored didn’t he!