Match Report – Owls Level Late At Watford

Wednesday haven’t always done what is expected from them over the years. Today was one of those days again, it was expected for Wednesday to roll over to allow the hosts to complete a comfortable victory. Sending them to the Premier League as Champions. It didnt quite pan out that way though.

The first half started well for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side, they had an early appeal for a penalty turned down when Troy Deeney went to go round Chris Kirkland after latching onto Ben Watson’s through ball, but the Owls goalkeeper got just enough on the ball as the Hornets’ top scorer went down.

Kirkland was at it again as he denied the Hornets in the 12th minute, pushing over a Vydra shot. Watford were controlling possession, but found themselves having to be patient, but in the 25th minute they made the breakthrough. With the score at 0 – 0 Watford where trailing Bournemouth who had moved up to First place after racing into a 2 – 0 lead against Charlton. But a mistake in the Owls defence let in Deeney and although he was again thwarted by Kirkland, Vydra followed up to head into the open goal, Watford in front and back above Bournemouth.

Wednesday stood firm as the hosts sought more goals as Ikechi Anya fired into the side netting. Before top scorer Troy Deeney then set up a chance for Almen Abdi but the midfielder placed his attempted wide of the far post. Abdi had another chance before the break but after some neat play with Deeney he fired over Kirklands goal, leaving the score at 1 – 0 at halftime.

The second half began in much the same fashion as Watford, set off to find a vital second goal. A fine challenge from Lewis Buxton deflected over a Deeney shot, but although the Hornets continued to dominate. However nerves appeared to be setting in and a resilient Wednesday know grew into the game.

Starting to have some possession but create little Wednesday seemed comfortable as Hornets boss Jokanovic brought on Paredes, Tozser and Igahlo to try and freshen things up. With 20 minutes to go Deeney set Abdi through but the Swiss midfielder couldn’t control the ball when it mattered. With the clock ticking away and not many clear chances being created, Bournemouth were doing there bit. Leading 3 – 0 at Charlton and hoping that Wednesday could grab a late equaliser as Maguire had done to them weeks earlier.

Bournemouth’s calls were answered, after Watford’s failure to score a second when they had dominated in the first half. Wednesday were awarded a free-kick, the atmosphere changed as worry spread across the ground. The ball in was not dealt with and Nuhiu steered home with a half volley. The big centre forward lead his team to celebrate with the sold out away following as Watford fans looked on in shock. Wednesday had scored from their only chance on target. Bournemouth now took the top spot, with two minutes to go in injury time Watford sought a winner. Despite some corners the Owls goal wasn’t threatened, sending Bournemouth up as Champions as the referee blew for full time.

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