WATFORD 2-3 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
City certainly know how to make life hard for themselves but Micky Adams side had enough about them to record a rare victory at Watford.
On a cold but sunny day, around two thousand City supporters made their way to Vicarage Road. It was a number probably too many for the stewards to cope with, as their insistence in trying to sit forcing everyone down the front of the stand meant for long queues along the narrow corridors which also housed the refreshment and toilet blocks.
We finally arrived in out seats to discover that Micky Adams had made two changes to the team that had drawn with Stoke City seven days ago. Scott Shearer was recalled from a loan at Rushden to deputise for the suspended Ian Bennett and Marcus Hall came in for Andy Whing who went to the bench alongside fit again Eddy Johnson and Andy Morrell. A goalkeeper did travel to Watford in the form of Jonny Tuffey however,despite the events of the Stoke game, Adams opted not to have a keeper on the bench.
Now the last three games have seen a noticeable improvement in performance and effort from the Sky Blues and this game was no exception.
Gary McSheffrey who is rumoured to be interesting Sheffield United drilled a very early shot at the Watford keeper Richard Lee,before City won two corners.
Watford who have little chance of promotion or relegation forced Scott Shearer into a ninth minute save when the former Albion Rovers brushed aside the nerves of his defence and the City supporters as he saved from Ashley Young's twenty five yard effort.
In the 14th minute, City sent their supporters into a frenzy when they were awarded a free kick some thirty yards out.
Stephen Hughes (or England's Number One as the chant which followed every time, the former Watford player touched the ball), sent over a lovely high free kick. Up rose Trevor Benjamin to flick a header over Lee and into the net.
With the industrious Sky Blues side stopping Watford from playing by chasing and challenging,, well more like,stopping former Sky Blue Jonnie Jackson who was the Hornets best player by far from playing, chances were limited but in the 31st minute, the home side draw level.
Jermaine Darlington got down the left flank, he got round Adie Williams and squared the ball for the unmarked Bruce Dyer to smash into the net from five yards with Shearer helpless.
This delighted the young children to our right, but their noise was brief and the home fans returned to watching the remaining minutes of the half in the atmosphere of a library.
After the now obligatory half-time penalty shoot-out officiated by one of the most portliest referees I have ever seen, City came out fired up.
In the 53rd minute, a Sky Blue throw led to a corner with Hughes' flag kick being met by a combination of Benjamin and John before being booted out for another corner.
This time,Hughes' kick was headed out by Neil Cox to the feet of Claus Jorgensen. The Faroe Isles international met the ball on the half volley and smashed high into the met.
The City supporters went mad, the City players went mad and then there was quiet as everyone stopped celebrating and noticed that the assistant referee on the Main Stand side had spotted something and was discussing it with the referee Mike Thorpe.
No-one was certain what was going on as the match officials debated for what seemed such a long time and I thought that at one point they were going to need Robin Day to step in and chair this frank exchange of views.
However, after what was nearly two minutes, Mr Thorpe decided the goal was good and the celebration continued once more amongst the noisy City support,many of whom had been stung for an extra three quid on the admission price thanks to Watford only sending 1,000 tickets for sale at Highfield Road.
The goal lifted everyone, good job as results elsewhere were not going our way and City started to press home their advantage.
Lee made a save from a Stern John effort after the Trinidadian had beat the offside trap and in the 65th minute, Gary McSheffrey fired wide following a neat turn to keep control of the ball.
They won two more corners but in the 71st minute, Bruce Dyer crashed a header against the crossbar, Steve Staunton and Adie Williams with help from Shearer scrambled the ball away.
Watford won a corner in the 76th minute. This was cleared off the line by Staunton who cleared up field to Gary McSheffrey,just inside his own half.
The City striker ran at the Watford defence, before looking up and spotting Michael Doyle to his left. McSheffrey's pass to Doyle was perfect and it allowed the midfielder space to drill a low show into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Again,the City supporters went berserk as Doyle raced to them in celebration.
3-1 up,the City support in full cry and things were looking good despite events elsewhere. Then with six minutes to go, it was hearts in mouth time as Watford pulled one back when a ball in was not cleared and Danny Webber was able to prod the ball past Shearer.
Three minutes before the goal, Isaac Osbourne had been introduced in place of Gary McSheffrey and Adams opted for another change bringing on Eddy Johnson for Stern John who was given a standing ovation in the 86th minute.
The loanee from Manchester United in his shiny red boots did manage one attack when he sped down the right flank before drilling over a low which Lee smothered under pressure from Benjamin.
Claus Jorgensen had again worked hard for the City cause but became the game's only caution when he was yellow carded in the last minute of normal time.
This led to a free kick which was advanced ten yards. Danny Webber, struck a shot which went up in the air and Shearer somehow managed to scramble away for a corner.
Four minutes of time were added on and although Benjamin wasted a good chance to increase City's lead, City had enough to be able to control the game and record their first victory at Vicarage Road since a delightful David Speedie goal gave City a 1-0 win in February 1988.
HT WFC 1-1 CCFC FT WFC 2-3 CCFC
ATT 13 794
GOALS Trevor Benjamin (14)
Bruce Dyer (31)
Claus Jorgensen (54)
Michael Doyle (76)
Danny Webber (84)
Booked Claus Jorgensen
Man Of The Match - Stephen Hughes with good marks for Trevor Benjamin
Team
Shearer,Hall,Staunton,Duffy,Williams,Hughes, Jorgensen,Doyle,McSheffrey (Osbourne 81),John (Johnson 86),Benjamin SNU Whing, Adebola
