By Stuart Kidson
February 1 2004

ALBION FANS WERE TREATED TO A BIT OF CULTURE BEFORE THE KICK OFF WITH THE APPEARANCE OF AN OPERA SINGER LEADING THEM IN A ROUSING VERSION OF 'THE LORDS MY SHEPARD' BUT ITS NOT THE SAME AS THE LIQUIDATOR....SORRY West Bromwich Albion (3) v Watford (1)
Saturday January 31st 2004, The Hawthorns
Nationwide League Division One

The Baggies opened a slight gap between themselves and third placed Sheffield United with the win against Ray Lewington's Watford in conditions that would have suited only ducks. The rains spilled from the sky as Geoff Horsfield continued to build up his rapidly growing hero status amongst the Baggies faithful with two goals, whilst Smethwick born striker Lee Hughes weighed in with another.

Albion did the season double over the Hertfordshire side, their first of the season, in a game that saw Heidar Helguson red carded for a wild kick at Bernt Haas off the ball and Scott Fitzgerald enter into a running battle with Thomas Gaardsoe.

Albion made two changes to the starting line up with Mark Kinsella getting his home debut start in place of James Chambers and Hughes returning to the starting line up in place of the suspended Rob Hulse. On the bench sat Delroy Facey, on loan from Bolton.

Lenny Pidgeley in the Watford goal was bought under pressure from the off as the Baggies really took the game to the Hornets but had to wait until the 9th minute before firing off a shot of any real value. Neil Clement, who seems to be relishing in his new role on the left midfield slot, dragged his shot wide from 30 yards following a free kick.

Both sides struggled to come to terms with the rain and resultant slippery conditions as the weather worsened. The game came to life in the 20th minute when some wonderful link ups between Andy Johnson and Hughes set up Horsfield for the shot. His effort was put behind for a corner by Jack Smith for the visitors.

Clement miskicked the flag kick straight to Neil Ardley but his clearance fell straight in the path of Clement who then sent the ball racing back into the box but his effort scraped just wide of the far post. With conditions steadily worsening, both sides settled into periods of play where both teams attacked but with little effect. Watford never really looked like breaking the deadlock despite the efforts of former Blues hero Paul Devlin.

The breakthrough came for the home side in the 42nd minute when Horsfield and Hughes raced through to get on the end of a lovely through ball from Johnson. Horsfield used his weight advantage to force Hughes to concede defeat in the battle of the strikers, and he took the ball around a diving Pidgeley before sliding the ball across the line for his 10th of the season overall and his third in the blue and white of the Baggies.

Albion were now in scoring mood and minutes later Gaardsoe almost made it two when he tried a cheeky chip from distance when he had spotted Pidgeley was well off his line. Unfortunately for the Danish defender his attempt nestled on the roof of the net and spared the keepers blushes.

The second half started with the Baggies now attacking the Brummie Road End but the first real goalmouth action happened at the other end in front of the Smethwick End, when Helguson floored Russell Hoult with a late challenge that required treatment by Physio Nick Worth. Helguson flew high into the challenge and his trailing leg caught Hoult on the outside of the head. Helguson had been guilty of a few overly enthusiastic challenges all afternoon, particularly against former team mate Paul Robinson and this time he was lucky to escape with just a quiet word with the referee much to the disgust of the home support.

Albion always seem to have a period of the game when they cause concern for their fans and again they did not fail to let the fan base down. Gavin Mahon sent over a cross which Bruce Dyer could only head onto the roof of the net. Albion woke themselves up and answered with an attempt themselves when Darren Moore headed towards goal from another Clement cross. Unfortunately the ball went just wide of the upright.

Minutes later Hughes found himself on side as he raced behind the Watford defence onto Sean Gregan's lofted pass before curling a 15 yard shot around defender Sean Diche and out of reach of the stretching Pidgeley into the top corner. The roar from the crowd was deafening as the troubled Hughes raced towards the Brummie Road End before being mobbed by his team mates who all must realise that Hughes is now approaching the toughest period of his career with his upcoming court case.

Moments later Hughes was again running rings around Diche before crossing for Horsfield to head goal bound. Fortunately for the Hornets Wayne Brown was on hand to make a wonderful block at the near post to deny the former Wigan striker.

The Baggies were now hitting top gear as they went looking for a 3 goal cushion that would see them back on top of the pile if Sheffield United could hold Norwich to a draw. Hughes again found space behind the Watford defence and it took a brave save to deny the former roofer his second when he chipped Pidgeley from 35 yards out. Somehow the former Chelsea shot stopper managed to claw his way through the rain laden air and pull off one of the bravest near post saves seen so far this season as he headed towards the upright head first.

In the 66th minute Horsfield gave the Albion faithful what they wanted when he smashed home a first time strike after Gaardsoe had put a pin point pass into his path.

Watford were far from out of it though and managed to grab a consolation goal when Scott Fitzgerald curled a fantastic shot from 20 yards out past a diving Hoult to give the away fans something to cheer about. These fans, to their credit, immediately started singing 'We're Gonna Win 4 - 3'.

Helguson found himself taking an early bath when he lashed out at Haas down in the corner of the Smethwick End and East Stand. This bought all players running over as the referee attempted to regain control and stop a mass brawl from exploding. The Icelander took his punishment and walked forlornly from the field of play. Moments later Fitzgerald raised his hands at Gaardsoe in the aftermath of the melee and was lucky not to walk as well despite the actions taking place directly in front of the official.

Overall it was a solid performance from the Baggies with Kinsella and Gaardsoe being instrumental in defence and midfield respectively, but Watford do not deserve to be in the position they find themselves in with regards the league. Ray Lewington said that he believes it will take at least six wins to achieve safety.

The baggiesworld.co.uk Man of the Match was selected by Stephen McNally of Oldbury and he gave it to Thomas Gaardsoe

Teams
Baggies Hoult, Haas, Gaardsoe, Moore, Robinson, Johnson, Gregan, Kinsella, Clement, Hughes, Horsfield
Subs Murphy, Sakiri, J. Chambers, L. Dyer, Facey

Hornets Pidgeley, Ardley, Diche, Gayle, Smith, Devlin, Hyde, Mahon, Brown, Helguson, B. Dyer
Subs Chamberlain, Vernazza, Doyley, Cook, Fitzgerald