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NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP 2011-12 |
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Watford 2 |
Barnsley FC 1 |
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Eustace 33, 68 |
Goldbourne 85 |
Inconsistency.. a win followed by a loss has become a pattern for the Reds this season. Frustrating and obviously we aren't the finished item that may challenge for a place in the Premiership. On the day the stand out performance was unfortunately from Watford captain John Eustace, who had several chances and took two of them.
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At a freezing vicarage road, Barnsley FC again failed to make it two wins on the trot after the good win against Derby at Oakwell in midweek. Keeping up the on/off form that has dogged our season so far. Just missing that run that might just see us in with a shout for the play offs.
Eustace put the Hornets in front on 32 minutes after showing great agility to fire in his first from a deflected cross from Sean Murray.
He doubled the home sides advantage half way through the second period, after he got hold of a clearance, made a run through the defence and tucked the ball past Luke Steele to make it 2-0.
But the Reds weren't out of it, with five minutes left we put some pressure on Watford as Scott
Golbourne tooked away his first in a red shirt following his move to Oakwell this week.
Watford were in a positive mood in front of their own fans, and were the dominant side in the first half as they strived to make it two wins out of two with
Troy Deeney and John Eustace going close before Eustace' breakthrough goal for Watford.
He had a curling effort go just wide of the upright before his acrobatic opener went in off the post. Which was no less than he dererved as he had a good game for Watford.
The Reds came out for the second half in stronger fashion as Andy Gray saw his header go wide of the mark and Jim McNulty had his freekick tipped over th bar.
McNulty got in again unmarked with another great chance to pull the Reds level but he headed over from David Perkins cross.
But moments later Eustace got though to put the Hornets 2 up and looking good for the three points.
Barnsley strove to get something out of the game, and with five minutes left set up a dramatic finale as Goldbourne steered in from Scott Wisemans neat cross.
Birmingham City at home will prove another big test for Keith Hills new look side, with the Brummies at the top in the current form tables... just the kind of game the Reds relish.
