Watford vs Internet Millers Review

Match: IFA Cup

Opponents: Watford

Venue: Bushey Met Police Sports Club
Kick off: 11am

Score: 2-0 to IMFC

Scorers: Steve Burns (2)

Squad: Shark, Gilby, Mark Morris, Denti, Duds, JV, Gaz, Andy P, John, Lee, Dan, Jeb, Burnsy, Chris G, Symon.

Team line up and formation: Rotherham went with their now accustomed 4-4-2, with Shark providing the last line of defence behind a back four of Gilby, Denti, Mark M and relatively sober Duds. Gaz returned to the side on the right wing, JV began on the left again and Dan and Lee continued their impressive central midfield pairing. Chris and an almost fully fit Jeb led the line.

First Half

It was another early start for the boys down to Watford as they seeked revenge for an unfortunate league defeat prior to Xmas in a cup game that was the tie of the round.

The long journey and an annoying wait for the ref had an adverse affect on Rotherham as they made a sluggish start and Watford were quick to take the initiative. However, despite all their possession and territorial advantage the home side could not muster an opening as IMFC were looking solid at the back. Rotherham, despite not having too much say on the game looked as if they could threaten from set pieces as Denti and Gaz fed some quality balls in to the box and Jebu actually managed to get the ball in to the back of the net but it was ruled out for a foul.

Rotherham then made a couple of significant changes to the team that helped them begin to control the game. Steve replaced Jeb upfront and a re-shuffle in midfield saw Andy P tuck in to the left hand side of midfield, JV switch wings and Gaz move in to the middle. This almost had an immediate affect as JV got beyond his full back and pulled a dangerous looking ball back but it was cleared from a corner. The away team really began to impose themselves on the game and in truth gave Watford a real tanning. Superman had turned up in net again for them and he denied Mark M with a great full stretch save and somehow also managed to prevent Chris from scoring after a defensive mix up. Other half chances went by and Watford almost snuck a goal against the run of play. They broke down the right and a ball in the box was missed 5 yards out only for Mr Mullet to miss his kick. Rotherham continued to press and played some great stuff and were a tad disappointed to be still level when the half time whistle was blown.

Second Half

Watford looked shattered and the Millers were keen to pick up where they left off. However, it was clear that the home side had re-grouped and they once again began the half better but also once again could not test Sharky as the back four defended everything superbly. Rotherham then took the lead and although perhaps against the run of play, they must have felt that they were great value for it. The ball broke to Gaz in midfield who supplied a superb ball over the top to Burnsy. Superman was coming off his line so it was with great delight that Rotherham saw Steve reach the ball first and hook it in to an empty net.

Minutes later they could and perhaps should have doubled their lead. Chris Grist found himself in a similar situation but he lobbed the ball just over the goalkeeper who made a finger tip save. Watford then began to get back in to the game. They put the Rotherham defence under some pressure but under the marshalling of Denti, they failed to create anything with Shark have a comfortable time of it.

The Millers then got a crucial and decisive second. Burnsy, who was struggling with a dodgy hamstring, was out on the right. With men getting forward in to the box he went for a cross. However, his Toblerone foot ensured the ball looped high and over the helpless keeper in to the back of the net.

With about twenty minutes left Watford began to throw bodies forward but with the defence soaking everything up this meant that IMFC could hit Watford on the counter attack. JV squandered a good opportunity when Burnsy laid the ball off and the same combination was at the fore again as Burnsy’s header from JV’s cross was miraculously saved by Superman.

With time running out Watford almost sneaked a goal back when the ball fell lose after Shark had come out feet first but luckily it was sent over the bar. Shark atoned for his mistake a minute later when a Watford striker had a clean view of goal but from 7 yards, the boy Woollas saved well to ensure a clean sheet.

The final whistle blew shortly after to give Rotherham a superb win and saw them move in to the last eight.

Thoughts

Top drawer from one to eleven. A great team performance and a great win! Enough said.