Watford V U’s – Match Report

U`s Resist Hornets’ Sting

Watford (1) 2 Colchester (1) 2

Watford Goals:

Johnson, 4

King,64

Colchester Goals:

Platt, 20

Lisbie, 46

Saurday 10th November, 2007

Attendence: 16,069

Vicerage Road

Colchester won a point at table-topping Watford despite their recent mediocre string of results.

Watford went into the game in fine form but it wasn`t all plain sailing for the home side – they needed a spectacular overhead-kick from golden striker Marlon King to salvage a point against a spirited Colchester side.

The visiting U`s produced one of the shock results of the day, by holding the Hornets to a 2-2 draw.

The U`s went into the game, at Vicarage Road, on a winless run of five games and made one change following Tuesdays 1-1 home draw against Plymouth, with Hungarian Bela Balogh coming in for the on-loan Matthew Connolly in the centre of defence.

On four minutes, when Watford`s on-loan winger Adam Johnson`s cross come shot slipped through Dean Gerken`s fingertips, the home side thought the floodgates had opened and they were going to be in for a stroll in the park. Colchester ensured that was not going to be the case.

Just over quarter-of-an-hour later, Kem Izzet`s curling cross from the left was met by striker Clive Platt, whose initial header thundered against the crossbar, but he followed it up and volleyed the ball past Watford keeper Richard Lee following a tidy bit of ball control.

With the second-half just 38 seconds old, Lisbie latched onto Kem Izzets` clever chip to chest the ball down and fire it low past Lee for his 6th goal of the season following the Jamaican`s summer transfer from Charlton Athletic. The home fans were stunned.

The home side were given a chance to get back on level terms, just after the hour mark, when the lively Johnson was sandwiched by U`s skipper Karl Duguid and back tracking winger Mark Yeates`, in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot.

Marlon King stepped up to take it but his weak effort was saved comfortably by visiting keeper Dean Gerken; a golden chance wasted.

King, not deflated by his penalty miss, then emphasized brilliantly and scored a stunning over head bicycle-kick to rescue a point for the promotion chasing Championship outfit.

Watford went close to hitting a winner, King and strike partner Darius Henderson both being thwarted by Gerken, with Hornets midfielder Lee Williamson and U`s winger Yeates both hitting the woodwork late on.

This is certainly a valuable point for the Essex side as they attempt to fight against a serving of the dreaded ‘second season syndrome`.