Watford Game

[SPUGGIE J]

Was a nervous wreck at work and was kept going by some of the lads but dispite the loss I am holding my head high.

[harwood red]

Well done lads, you can hold your heads up high...but what a way to go out, come on there must be a better way than penalties!!! oooo I hate them...but just to contradict myself if we had won then I would have loved penalties...

Up the stanley...we're all damn proud of you tonight!!

[Bazf]

Watford scraped into the Carling Cup third round after beating Accrington 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless 120 minutes. Manager Adrian Boothroyd's decision to field a completely different starting XI from the one that began Saturday's goalless draw with Aston Villa did not produce the intended results as Stanley came desperately close to causing an upset.
But Boothroyd's luck held as, after five successful kicks each, Peter Cavanagh and Paul Mullin missed for Accrington, allowing Anthony McNamee to fire in the winning kick after James Chambers had also missed for Watford.
Watford handed full debuts to defender Jordan Parkes and forwards Albert Jarrett and Tamas Priskin.
Accrington were playing a top-flight side for the first time since 1961, and they started brightly.
They almost scored early but top scorer Gary Roberts fired well over from a good position on the edge of the penalty area.
Watford then went close through Jarrett and Matthew Spring, who was captain on the night.
But Accrington - who have won their last two matches in League Two - were undaunted, and their left-winger Sean Doherty was causing the home defence plenty of problems.
Indeed, the visitors thought they had taken the lead when Ian Craney's left-wing corner deceived goalkeeper Richard Lee and looped into the net, but the goal was ruled out for an apparent push on Lee.
John Coleman's men continued to take the game to a Watford side struggling to familiarise themselves with one another, and Roberts should have done better with a close-range header after being picked out by Andrew Todd's right-wing delivery.
The pattern remained the same in the second period, and Watford substitute Sheku Kamara - on his debut - had to make a fine block shortly after coming on to deny Craney's point-blank effort in the 59th minute.
But the home team almost took the lead twice in the 62nd minute, first when Ian Dunbavin pushed Jarrett's rising shot from 25 yards around the post, and then when Adrian Mariappa headed over the resulting corner from McNamee.
Roberts, who had looked lively all night for Accrington, saw his angled drive deflected just over the bar in the 77th minute, and substitute Romauld Boco's fierce low drive was pushed around the post four minutes later to ensure extra-time.
Worryingly for Boothroyd, midfielder Al Bangura was carried off in the 105th minute after falling awkwardly following a midfield tussle as the match moved inexorably towards a penalty shoot-out.
For the shoot-out, Stanley brought on reserve goalkeeper Rob Elliot and both teams were successful with their first five kicks, but Accrington's nerve failed them in the end and McNamee was able to secure a fortunate win.

[Kiwi John]

Great effort Stanley.Its a prick of a way to be eliminated.By all accounts you did your town ,and yourselves proud.On Stanley on.

[Tin Monkey]

At least it wasn't 31-0.

[keyco]

we was unlucky we should have won the match well now we can have a cup run in ldv vans or fa cup lets wait for next years carling cup now

[AccyMad]

Originally Posted by Outback Ozzy

There is always one party pooper isn't there!!

True Outback Ozzy - and it's usually the same bloody one!
The lads were brilliant last night, bless em, as has been said a lousy way to go out but every one of em's a hero in my book. Thanks Dan & Kaz for a brilliant commentary.

[AccyMad]

I have just read the report on last night's game in The Times, following the link from the fishy site. I've got to say that I am disgusted with Coley's comments about Cav's penalty - those lads played their hearts out last night and all he can say it that it was a waste of time them staying in a 5 star hotel because he's going home a loser. We all know that when it comes to penalties it's a lottery and we were so unlucky, so to single Cav out like that I think is bang out of order. Rant Over

[accymel]

Thats so bad Accymad gee we only have to remind ourselves of England heros missing penalities, likes of Waddle, Pearce & Southgate also not forgetting this years pens against Portugal thats so out of order from Coley, i was disappointed for Cav i think he felt bad enough without that!! They say with kids behaviour that praise is essential, & the manager should of praised them all like we have because they did play their hearts out including Cav.

Yeh he's bang out of order!!

[Hornet]

Id Just like to say, well done to your team, you gave our up and comming youngsters and fringe players a very very very tuff test. Infact 6 the team last night had been in the premiship this season so it just shows the level in which you have played unlucky eh? never easy loosing on pens. Your fans were also a good laugh even if it was hard to here what they were singing from the other end of the stadium. This will probs be the last time i ever come on these boards so.. good luck for the rest of the season..maybe our two teams will meet again..


YEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW AAAARRRMMMMMYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

[JEFF]

Our first five penalty takers - Roberts, Craney, Boco, Todd and Proctor smashed the ball into the back of the net, brilliant penalties. When Cav stepped up he chose to tap it and try to place it - easy save for the goalie, then Mully stepped up (I thought he said that he was never going to take another penalty after his miss against Exeter last season) and he decided to do the same thing, tap it - another easy save for the goalie. Why oh why didn't they just do as the first five had done and try to beat the goalie with force. I agree with Coley on this, it was a wasted opportunity. O.K. somebody has to miss a penalty sometime, but at least don't try to be clever and side foot the ball. Cav isn't having a very good season so far, his passes are going astray, he is being found out of position, he is often late with his tackles, he takes every throw in on his side of the pitch and seldom finds a Stanley player. I would prefer it if we reverted to Edwards at full back and Welch back in the centre of defense like last season. Anyway, on to victory on Saturday.

[AccyMad]

Take your point Jeff, we were all disappointed last night but it's one thing for Coley to show that but quite another to slag off his captain in the press as he did. Cav must have felt bad enough without having to hear that. Everyone makes mistakes, don't forget they had all slogged their guts out for 120 minutes. Let's hope they can put it behind them and get back to winning ways on Saturday.

[JEFF]

Originally Posted by AccyMad

Take your point Jeff, we were all disappointed last night but it's one thing for Coley to show that but quite another to slag off his captain in the press as he did.

Good point. I may slag off some players on here but I will always defend them the best I can to anybody else, and I would never slag them off at a game, I will always be 100% behind any Stanley player during a game whether they are playing well or having a shocker .

[Bagpuss]

Blackburn Raver is ianto.s your dad???

I thought it was funny that the FE coach got a police escort out of Watford what did they think we where going to do smash up the town, nice to cruise through all the footy traffic and lights.

[glosterred]

the reds were magnificent tonight....every one of them...played their hearts out sometimes with skill sometimes with a big hoof away....all gave a 110%....not sure if cav and mully tried to place their pens or were just plain knackered....maybe a bit of both.
at the end of the day (opps a footy cliche!) the last three games go a long way to prove what the fans sang last night......hello hello stanley are back stanley are hello

COME ON STANLEY