By Stuart Kidson
January 26 2003

A 79th minute goal by Icelandic international Heidar Helguson topped off a very dismal afternoon for the 4,500 strong Barmy Army at Vicarage Road. Watford v West Bromwich Albion (F.A. Cup 4th Round)

Saturday 25th January 2003



A 79th minute goal by Icelandic international Heidar Helguson topped off a very dismal afternoon for the 4,500 strong Barmy Army at Vicarage Road. Hopes had been soaring amongst the travelling support that the tie could be bought back to the Hawthorns for a replay after Russell Hoult had apparently again saved his team mates by keeping out a spot kick by former Villa defender Neil Cox.



Albion had made a few changes to the side that drew 0 – 0 with Leeds last weekend, with Jason Roberts returning from his one match suspension and Ronnie Wallwork replacing Igor Balis at right wing back. The only other changes came on the bench with Adam Chambers replacing Wallwork and Lee Hughes losing his place to Scott Dobie.



Darren Moore had the first chance at goal for Albion when he headed a Jason Koumas free kick straight at Alec Chamberlain in the Watford goal, but it was to be Watford who controlled the game and Tommy Smith was soon bearing down on the Baggies defence only to see his effort from 15 yards fly high, wide and handsome into the Barmy Army.



The Baggies were awarded a free kick after just 7 minutes when Jason Roberts was bought down outside the Watford area. Koumas again stepped up for the kick, but former Dons defender Marcus Gayle, who headed out for a corner, dealt with his effort. Sean Gregan met the in swinging kick but only managed to head wide of the mark.



Albion looked uncomfortable in the opening stages of the game and Darren Moore added to the nervousness of the fans and team alike when he miss-hit an intercepted long range pass straight into his own area, this bought Russell Hoult into action again and he punched clear under pressure from Helguson.



Jason Roberts was again bought down just outside the Watford area, within range of either Neil Clement or Jason Koumas, but it was the Welsh midfielder who saw his shot go just over the corner of the crossbar.



Watford attacked from the goal kick and soon had The Baggies on the back foot as they struggled to come to terms with Watford’s will to win. Tommy Smith again caused problems but Hoult dealt with his shot again. The Albion shot stopper was again in the thick of the action again after Micah Hyde’s 25-yard strike bought the best out of the keeper.



The Premiership sides appalling record of one in three passes going astray continued and for long periods of the game the ball never seemed to leave the Albion half. Jermaine Pennant, loaned from Arsenal, caused Neil Clement headaches all afternoon and he was instrumental in the majority of Watford’s attacks. It was a Pennant cross which saw Smith head wide with only Hoult to beat.



Former Spurs midfielder, Alan Nielsen, caused consternation amongst the travelling support when he ran straight into Russell Hoult for no apparent reason. Hoult was getting ready to take his kick when Nielsen, running back to position, decided to steam roller the keeper. Hoult needed the attention of physio Nick Worth after lying motionless for a few minutes, whilst referee Mr. Geoff Winter had words with Nielsen. Moments later, following the restart, Nielsen was again involved with referee Winter, when Ronnie Wallwork exacted some revenge for the incident with Hoult. The referee had words with both to stamp out further trouble.



Jason Koumas made solo efforts to restore calm amongst the Baggies players with a wonderful cross field run that resulted in a squared ball to Danny Dichio who managed to fluff his shot and send the ball flying into the home end.



Watford ended the half with a shot by Paolo Vernazza, which was sent high and wide.



From the start of the second half it was again Watford who made all the running and yet another mistake by Albion nearly saw The Hornets take the lead when Hyde again had a free shot at goal. Sean Gregan half clearing to set him up.

Watford were pushing forward all the time and The Baggies, again this season, allowed the midfield to be forced into playing deep, isolating the ineffective strike force of Roberts and Dichio. Watford, however, were also guilty of poor distribution and this, more than anything, helped The Baggies.



In the 55th minute Nielsen came closest to opening the scoring for the home side when his shot from the edge of the six-yard area hit the crossbar. Minutes later Darren Moore bundled Tommy Smith off the ball and left Mr. Winter no option but to point to the spot. Ex-Villa man and Watford captain Neil Cox stepped forward only to be denied by the Baggies keeper. This was Hoult’s second penalty save in successive years at Vicarage Road.



Albion were without inspiration and Gary Megson decided to change things around by replacing captain Derek McInnes with Larus Sigurdsson, allowing Sean Gregan to move into his natural position in midfield.



The change however seemingly caused yet more unease in the Albion team and the Hornets again broke clear. Nielsen had a moments hesitation and Andy Johnson managed to clear for The Baggies.



Scott Dobie replaced Jason Roberts, who had been ineffective all afternoon against the Watford defence and had wasted chance after chance, as Megson went for the win, but again the substitution was to prove fruitless.



Russell Hoult was again put under pressure from his defence when Sigurdsson played a very dangerous ball back to the keeper. Tommy Smith was soon at the keeper and forced him to clear the ball almost over the roof of the archaic East Stand. It was Sigurdsson again who nearly gave away another goal when he sliced a high ball behind himself to allow Nielsen space to run from the left and shoot at goal. Luckily for the Albion, the angle was too much for the shot and the ball went out for a goal kick.



Watford scored the winner in the 79th minute when Jermaine Pennant made a run straight at goal before passing with the outside of his right foot to the charging Helguson. He took a touch to steady himself and slotted home from the edge of the six-yard area past the advancing Hoult.



Jason Koumas hit a long range shot which looked goal bound and Alec Chamberlain managed to get a finger tip to it to send it over the bar. Mr. Winter declined the appeals for a corner and awarded a goal kick.



Albion came close to securing a draw when Sigurdsson headed across goal following a free kick, but his effort hit the crossbar and dropped onto the knee of Gavin Mahon who cleared from danger.



The last kick of the game fell to Gregan who hit a 35-yard shot straight at goal but it counted for nothing as the whistle blew as it left his boot. Albion were dumped out of the competition and left the pitch to mass boo’s and a chorus of ‘What A Load Of Rubbish’ from the Barmy Army.



Again The Baggies had created their own problems with woeful passing and a complete lack of imagination when in possession of the ball. Watford’s defenders had snuffed out the long ball tactic in the opening 15 minutes of the game, yet Albion continued to send 60-yard balls to the forwards who were incapable of producing anything of quality. The worst Albion performance for a long time.



Man of the Match, selected by Jake Kidson, aged 10 of Bearwood, West Midlands.

Russell Hoult



Team: Russell Hoult, Phil Gilchrist, Darren Moore ( 82 ), Sean Gregan, Neil Clement, Andy Johnson, Derek McInnes ( Captain, 57), Jason Koumas, Ronnie Wallwork, Danny Dichio, Jason Roberts ( 68 )



Subs: Joe Murphy, Larus Sigurdsson ( 57 ), Scott Dobie ( 68 ), Adam Chambers ( 82 ), Ifeyani Udeze