since 1878

Watford (1) 2 - 0 (0) Ipswich Town

Coca-Cola Championship 2007-08

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Referee: MJ Jones

Manager: Adrian Boothroyd

Vicarage Road 15:00

Attendance: 17,295

Manager: Jim Magilton

Match Number: 3214

Goals

Home
 Henderson (6)
 Smith (75)
Away
 

Substitutions

Home
HendersonEllington (72)
SmithOToole (88)

Cards

Home
 Williamson (70)
Away
 Gary Roberts (41)

Teams

Home

Poom

Doyley

DeMerit

Shittu

Stewart

McAnuff

Mahon

Williamson

Smith

King

Henderson

Substitutes

Home

Lee

Priskin

Mariappa

Ellington

OToole

Match Report

Saturday all right for Elton in Boothroyd's no-frills approach

It had been 16 months since Elton John last took in a game at Vicarage Road. The last occasion Watford's honorary life-president was in attendance his side were about to enter the play-offs, which ultimately saw them gain promotion to the Premier League, where they spent the majority of their stay stuck to the bottom of the table. He picked a good period to stay away.

On Saturday, as a guest of the manager, Aidy Boothroyd, Sir Elton sat in the dressing room before the game and then watched Watford defeat a below-par Ipswich and move to second place in the Championship. This came at the end of a week where the club did some spending that even he would be proud of, breaking their transfer record in signing Nathan Ellington from West Bromwich Albion for £3.25m.

Their new signing started on the bench, but put in an impressive 20-minute cameo, hitting the post and nearly scoring another. Boothroyd claims that the striker had "lost his way a little bit", but added, "I've got big hopes for him and I think he's going to be a terrific player for the club."

Ellington, who converted to Islam three years ago, paid tribute to his new club and manager. He described Boothroyd's approach as "different", and said: "He's clued up about everything. He makes sure your mind's right, your body's right and everything is right for the game."

Saturday's contest was a contrast between two teams seeking the same goal but with different ways of going about it. Watford started with relish and determination which, coupled with their all-action style, at times makes them resemble a prison team in a grudge match against the guards. This does them some injustice, however. With Jobi McAnuff and Tommy Smith, they have players who can make a real difference in the final third of the pitch.

Ipswich's passing game did not come together until the second half, at which point they already trailed to a Darius Henderson goal after six minutes. Henderson could have had at least two more before Smith deservedly secured Watford the points, cutting in from the right-hand side and curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the corner with 15 minutes to go. After a comprehensive three points against one of their main promotion rivals, Watford must be hoping that Sir Elton comes along more often in the future.

Evan Fanning (The Independent)

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2007-08 Reports