Watford v Preston North End
Coca Cola Championship
Vicarage Road
Saturday 4th October, 3pm kick-off
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1653: The referee blows for full-time and it's disappointment for PNE as goals from Harley and Smith prove enough for Watford to win 2-1. PNE had the better of the play in the second half but it wasn't enough for Alan Irvine's men.
1649: Five minutes of injury time here, time for North End to equalise definitely.
1646: Sub for Watford. Bangura replaces Hoskins in a defensive move from Boothroyd. Elliott again found space in the area but hesitated on shooting and his deflected shot was held well by Lee.
1643: Sub for North End. Parkin replacing Barry Nicholson. PNE had another chance on goal prior to the change, Sedgwick cleverly backheeled to Jones in the corner and the right-back's cross fell to Elliott but his shot was blocked away for a corner.
1638: Good defending from St. Ledger denies Hoskins from getting a shot on goal from six yards. He shielded the ball away from the striker to allow Lonergan to gather easily.
1636: Good opportunity for North End. The Watford defender slipped and this allowed Elliott to run on and the former Wolves striker stepped away from Ward but he shot straight at Lee.
1633: A Ross Wallace cross finds Chris Brown but the big striker jumps slightly too early and Lee gather easily.
1632: Sub for North End. McKenna is replaced by Jason Jarrett. McKenna had been affected by a challenge a few minutes earlier.
1625: PNE are beginning to dominate now. Sedgwick is having more joy against Sadler, Brown was unable to get enough power on a header from his cross.
1623: North End come close to an equaliser. Sedgwick set up Jones and the young defender turned his marker easily and curled it across the goal but there wasn't a white shirt on hand to turn it in.
1616: A Wallace free-kick gives Watford problems in the box. He curled it in and the ball eventualy fell to Sedgwick who squared it across the area but St. Ledger lost out to Richard Lee in the ensuing scramble for the ball.
1612: Ronaldo-esque trickery from Hoskins didn't faze Mawene who did well to fend the former Rotherham man away from goal but he managed to pass to O'Toole and the scraggy-haired midfielder struck from twenty yards and Lonergan had to be alert to tip it over. It's livening up a bit again now.,
1611: Chance for North End. Sedgwick held the ball up on the corner of the penalty area and waited to tee up McKenna but the skipper's shot was blocked and the resulting shot from Jones was deflected away for a corner.
1607: Quiet start to the half, it must be said. Elliott went down and needed treatment from the physio but nothing else to write about. Total contrast to the first half.
1600: Watford get the second half underway as North End look to overturn their lead. Stephen Elliott has replaced Neil Mellor up front for North End.
1546: Half-time here at Vicarage Road and a whirlwind start to the match saw North End lead but then Watford fought back and they are in front as the players head back to the changing rooms.
1545: As the officials announce that there is a minute of extra time Brown is manhandled again, this time by Ward but no free-kick for the Hornets.
1542: Brown has been getting some rough treatment from the Watford defence and he finally wins a free-kick for his toils. McKenna long, sweeping cross just passes St.Ledger though and Watford maintain their lead.
1539: Aidy Boothroyd turns in disgust as Watford waste a decent free-kick opportunity. Harley released Priskin but the Hungarian couldn't find a man with his cross from the line and Lonners was able to palm it away.
1535: Priskin's cross evades the North End defence but Harley is put off enough by Jones and steers his shot over.
1534: Better from North End. Sedg cuts inside and is given the freedom of Vicarage Road but unfortunately the winger's low shot is blocked and he remains goalless this season.
1531: I'm loath to write that the game has settled down because the last time I was about to do that Watford scored. Watford's 4-3-3 formation is causing problems for North End but PNE look threatening on the break.
1529: Brilliant build-up play from North End. Jones, Brown and Sedgwick worked it across to Wallace and Brown headed the Scotsman's cross inches wide of the post with the onrushing Mellor seconds too late to connect and score a certain goal.
1527: Priskin again is the cause of danger for North End. His shot deflects against Lonergan and goes behind for a corner but Lonergan grabs the ball to stop the danger.
1520: Goal for Watford. Well I was about to write that the game had calmed down but then Tommy Smith scored for Watford. Jay McEveley looked to be in control of a ball over the top but Smith muscled the loanee off the ball and although Lonergan was able to parry his first strike he followed up to put Watford ahead.
1516: Priskin is causing all sorts of bother for Watford. He forced Lonners to make a fantastic right-handed save that looked to be falling into the path of Harley but Jones was alert to the danger and slid in to clear for North End. What a start to a match, it really is end-to-end stuff here.
1511: Goal for Watford. Tamas Priskin sets up Jon Harley and the former Burnley winger fired past Lonners to equalise for Watford. Ther goal came following a push in the box on Neil Mellor but the referee waved away the North End penalty claims. Watford broke and Priskin gathered the ball 20 yards from goal and lofted it into Harley who had the time and space to drive it in.
1508: O'Toole has space in the box but his effort goes straight at Lonergan.
1504: Goal for North End! Sean St.Ledger gets his first of the season. Wallace turned his man and floated a ball into the back post. St.Ledger headed it back towards Mellor but the former Liverpool man's effort deflected back towards Ledge who dropped off his man. Mariappa lost St. Ledger and the central defender had the time and the space to curl it past Richard Lee.
1502: Former North Ender Priskin takes on McEveley and manages to get a ball across the box but thankfully there's no-one there to convert it.
1500: They're off. North End kicking away from their fans to my right.
1458: Fans of Dragon Den may notice that Watford's goalkeeper Richard Lee earned a £150,000 investment from Duncan Bannatyne for his sporting cap business in the last series so here's hoping he is as enterprising with his goalkeeping today.
1439: The news is that Ross Wallace starts for North End. The Watford line up is Lee, Sadler, DeMerit, Mariappa, Ward, Williamson, Harley, O'Toole, Hoskins, Smith, Priskin. Subs: Tyler, Bromby, Ainsworth, Bangura, Henderson. North End: Lonergan, Mawene, St. Ledger, Jones, McEveley, Nicholson, McKenna, Sedgwick, Wallace, Mellor, Brown. Subs: Neal, Jarrett, Carter, Parkin, Elliott
1416: Good afternoon and welcome to the matchday coverage of North End's away fixture here at Vicarage Road. We will be starting the radio show in about 15 minutes time. There's no team news as of yet but as soon as we get we'll let you know on the broadcast and here on pne.com.
