In the week before this game Phil McEntee, A sports writer for the Blackpool Gazette and The Green wrote "Micky must strike it rich". This of course referred to his goal scoring form and Watford's leaky defense. This was a game where people expected him to have a field day and of course he obliged in a spectacular style. Scoring a Hat-Trick as the Seasiders went rampant, beating  Watford 5-0 in a new years spectacular.

10,745 fans turned up for the game at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool  had been beaten just once in there last five games and sat 17th in the second division. Watford were 22nd although they where only six points of 'pool in the table. This was a game were a win wasn't necessary but important not just for pride, but to help edge the Seasiders away from the drop zone. So manager Bob Stokoe kept his side unchanged for this one.

The slaughter started after just 30 seconds. After been roared onto the field by the new club song which had been composed by shareholder Joe Harris and performed by The Norman Memorial Band. Dave Lenard scored the first football league goal of 1972. Burns ran down the wing only to be intercepted and a half clearance then occurred. But Burns won the ball back before finding a gap in the Watford defense.

He put in a "beautiful" ball and Lennard ran it at the near post and squeezed it in. Blackpool then continued to stampede the Watford goal. Hutchinson raced to get hold of a wayward back pass but couldn't keep the ball in play. Mickey Burns then sent a 25 yard shot over the bar.

Watford's attacks all seemed tame, with Phil McEntee writing "Watford's early raids gave Blackpool little trouble". They were so tame that Blackpool's Suddaby cleared his defensive line with an over the top over head kick. Which of course got a sarcastic cheer but Blackpool were easily the alpha-males in this battle.

When Watford finally got a shot, there man Wigg fired the ball miles over. Although there was some good build up play including a neat one-two between Woods and Wigg. Watford started to play a more attacking game in a bid to get back into the game. Losing this one essentially put Watford down.

Blackpool however chose to sit back and contain there lead, this led to a dull spells in the early parts of the game. But 'pool did get the ball in the net once more thanks to Lennard however his attempt on goal was ruled offside and this seemed to boost Watford.

The Hornets seem boosted by this and immediately went on the attack. Blackpool's defense failed to clear a corner properly, a scramble ensued and Keening managed to break lose with ball, before firing a shot goal-ward. However it deflected off a team mates head and went over.

Burns then went onto miss two chances on the bounce, the first come after been set up by Suddick the second saw him fire straight at the 'keeper.

A second goal for the Seasiders soon followed. The Seasiders scoring through Peter Suddaby. The defender scored on the 35th minute after Blackpool won a corner. It was directed to the far post where Suddaby managed to head it down into the back of the 'net. The goal was "a just reward for Suddaby, who had been one of Blackpool's outstanding performers".

A third goal came on the 43rd minutes. Micky Burns scoring the first of an eventual hat-trick, after Suddaby picked the ball up in the Blackpool half and passed it on to Suddick. Suddick then squared it to Burns who in turn whipped a low shot into the inside post.

Half Time Blackpool 3 Watford 0

The second half saw Ainscow coming on to replace Hardcastle. This resulted in a tactical change, Lennard went to centre back whilst Ainscow occupied a central midfield role.

Watford went close to scoring in the opening minutes of the half, first they won a corner leading to a header by a Watford player however this wasn't enough to find the net. Instead it went over and Blackpool should have scored a goal a few minutes later.

A free-kick was earned by the Seasiders and found Suddick, he squared the ball to Lennard who fired from 18 yards out. His hard drive rebounded off a Watford defender and Lennard once again chased after the ball and retrieved it. He danced past four defenders before been dispossessed as he was about to unleash a rocket shot at the Watford 'keeper.

Blackpool continued to pile on pressure and Watford made "little more then a token resistance". This was reflected on the 76th minute. A Blackpool corner was flicked on and on amongst a maze of players. It eventually found Burns. Who fired the ball home with his head for his second goal of the game.

Burns completed his first ever Hat-Trick for the Seasiders five minutes from time. The goal which was describe as the "best of the three" goals he had scored. Saw him pick up a pass from Suddick 20 yards out. He then let "fly with a right-foot drive which gave Rankin no chance".

The game finished Blackpool 5 Watford 0

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